FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Plat Upgrade Question

Oct 17, 2007 | 6:44 pm

#4

USirritated

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: FLL

Programs: Delta GM, (fmr US CP/PP/GP!), DL SkyClub, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Avis Chairman's Club

Posts: 5,162

I have done it various ways, but no matter what, I always make sure that it is written into my reservation. If I make the reservation online, there is a small box for comments/special requests and I usually write something like "request Plat. upgrade lg conc rm" or something like that. There is not room to type more in that box. If I make the reservation through the Plat rez line, then I ask the agent to request my upgrade to be written into the rez, but they can write more into it. If it is particularly important to me, and especially if I am going to be in the hotel more than three days, I will call the hotel (if in the US) and ask for room control or e-mail (if outside the US, usually guest relations or similar) and ask specifically for what I would like, as far as best available, or even a suite. Sometimes I call twice, first to find out what the occupancy level for the hotel is for the days that I will be there. Then I call back with that knowledge a bit later, and ask for what I want knowing whether they are more or less likely to be able to give it to me or not. Sometimes they will give me what I want or at least imply that they will. Other times I need to ask again when I get to check in. Is this begging for something that I am "entitled to?" No, not really. Yes, I have earned upgrades through loyalty and lots of nights, etc., but upgrades are free, and if you don't ask, you don't get, and also, some Marriott employees are not even really aware of how the system works. Sometimes I hear things like, "Oh, we have lots of bigger rooms available, I wonder why you weren't upgraded before you got here?" To that I say inside my head, "Oh, I don't know, because no one was paying attention maybe?" Then I get the upgrade! And it is a two room suite! Yippee! (Yes, it really does happen exactly that way more often than you could possibly know!)