cell7481

In the spirit of tracking the new Diamond upgrade benefit, I want to see how well Choice properties are honoring the new program benefit.

So far, I am 1 for 2 on getting an actual upgrade without asking. Both properties were Comfort Suites.

Elk Grove, CA - received their largest floorplan with a tub/hot tub combo in the room. Very nice

Sacramento CA - same as booked

Lets here how other properties are doing!

RogerD408

I find Choice Properties are pretty clueless as to the program rules and benefits. And unfortunately EVERY time I've tried to bring this up with Choice Privileges CSRs the response has been pretty useless.

Quite often I find Queen bed rooms to be priced below Kings. When I remember I've booked a Queen, I will ask if a King is available. Most times I'm told the rate would be higher. About half the time when I mention being a Diamond they will move me to a King at no charge.

It's too bad they don't seem to spend any time on training the people we see everyday. The front desk staff can be great ambassadors for Choice.

gree0411

Wow, almost 2 and a half years later the OP finally gets a response. That has to be a record.

RogerD408

Sometimes it takes a while for the Geritol to kick in...

gree0411

LOL. Very true.

thecoldhandoftechnology

Recently stayed at the Cambria Suites in Madison, WI. Nice property as all of the Cambria properties I've stayed at have been. Was upgraded (without asking) to a corner suite with a separate bedroom and sitting area, unlike the half wall I find in most properties. It looks like most of the Cambrias do have a couple of true Suites for upgrades.

Anyone have any interest in any Cambria reviews?

enginero

Absolutely. After being out of the CP world for a few years, I've added them back to the pool.

Jensfan

Got a late check out 1pm instead of 11am. I was intially told No until I mentioned Diamond. This was at the Oceanfront in JAX Beach. Nice hotel with a great pool. Stayed on points.

Jensfan

MDtR-Chicago

Bumping this thread back up. I'm new to Choice via the Radisson program. It looks like the current upgrade language, for Gold/Platinum/Diamond is:



So it looks like only some of the Radisson brands, plus Cambria and Ascend... Any experiences with upgrades at these brands over the past month? Trying to weigh the Choice program as a long term option vs. burning thru my existing points and moving on.

sdsearch

Well, it would depend on the Ascend property. There used to be an Ascend property that I stayed at which simply a two-story motel, and of course it had nothing to upgrade to. It was marked Ascend because of the creative ways they painted the walls in the rooms, the lobby, etc. So it depends on what sort of Ascend property it is whether there is anything to upgrade to. Ascend is not a property type, it's a group for any hotel that's unique in some way, almost any way.

Cambria is presumably more consistent. But since the Cambria's around where I stay most often are much more expensive than the other Choice brands, and I care more about cost than upgrades, I don't think I've ever stayed at Cambria.

For me, the great thing about Choice hotels is that they're found in places where no other redemption hotels (except maybe Wyndham or Best Western) exist, near national parks and places like that.

And the other great things about Choice hotels is that you can often book almost any room in many Choice hotels on points, included upgraded rooms. While upgraded rooms cost more in cash, they never cost more points.

So maybe instead of worrying about upgrades issued by the front desk, you should look into booking upgraded rooms through Choice points. There's no other hotel program I know that charges the same amount for upgraded rooms and frequently makes them available on points. You can often book a suite at a Quality Inn & Suites or Comfort Inn & Suites for the same amount as for the most basic room at the hotel, if you're booking with points.

MDtR-Chicago

I've noticed that, scoping out some properties. Much more likely to be able to book directly into a suite or a view room. A few places, I've noticed they hold some of the suites back, like those with kitchens. But much more likely to be able to book directly into almost any room type.

I'm leaning toward Choice as my third/fourth program. I tend to focus on Marriott with IHG filling the gaps. But I could see Choice as being another option in smaller towns or when other chains are very expensive. I may also build my Hilton balance back up, since my wife likes certain Hilton properties, but overall I've found their redemption values to be poor.

I wish I could go back to Best Western as my third program but I rarely have paid stays now and it's just too hard to earn points, since they have few good transfer partners.