I am of the JDiver's school of announcing my status and arrival, although I prefer to go a bit lower key...

Normally after my footman has helped me to exit from my gold gilded coach and my butler has opened both double doors of the hotel and laid down my red carpet... the 3 full-time heralders stand to my left and blow their trumpets cerimoniously announcing my arrival. I also find it useful to have a crier make the annoncement in a resounding voice so all around will be sure to hear, "Hear ye, hear ye! The honorable and incredibly good looking and charming infinitylusone has arrived and will bless this establishment with his presence for the next X number of evenings. Please ensure that he is given service above and beyond that which is expected of Diamond Hilton Honor members! He also likes to have the little chocolate mints placed on his nightstand, not his pillow."

I then have my personal bodyguard, Olaf, vault over the front desk and place my HH Diamond card on the forehead of the person who will be checking me in. The card is placed in a manner so that my HH # and name are facing their forehead, so that when he punches the card it leaves an impression... that way they will have no trouble remembering who I am for the next several days.

I will then say to the front desk clerk, "President's Suite, correct."

Once they hand me the silver encoated key for the top suite, I am off with a flourish!


Seriously though...
I have shared previously how I check-in and my philosophy on using body language, voice inflection, etc in helping to obtain an upgrade but the short of it is this...
I smile pleasantly and say, "Hello, infinityplusone checking in" as I hand them my HH Amex and HH Diamond (which is under the Amex).
They will keep the Amex and then either confirm the HH # or just say, "We alreay have your information entered". I say, "Great thanks."
I'll make pleasant small talk, ask their opinion on places to eat, etc while they are confirm my res and room and then I am done.
If they do not say, "you have been upgraded" I will ask very nicely as if they are doing me a great favor (which they are), "Were you able to get me/us an upgraded room?"

This has actually gotten me an upgraded room or an up-upgraded room on several occasions (5 times) as they had already started to hand me my keys and they ask me to wait a moment as they open my res back up and change my room and re-issue keys.

I then thank them very much. I make it a point to remember their name and each time going through the lobby will make eye contact with them and say Hello and or will mention the upgrade and thank them again.