We mostly book our business travel net direct or otherwise online. Usually the HH member # is all it takes. Virtually every property checks the status on that number, and upgrades accordingly. On those few times when I arrive and an upgrade has not been arranged, I find that when I hand my Gold card to the desk along with my credit card at check-in, it results in an instant change in my room. In the last 5 years, this has been my experience in all but ONE particular Hilton, and they redeemed themselves handsomly on my next visit.

One Doubletree (Denver), although I never REQUESTED an upgrade, almost embarassed me with the great rooms they were putting me in for awhile there.

Commander Bob
Love those upgrades.