dcpatti

Just wondering what, if anything, I should expect in terms of upgrades and other bennies as Diamond staying on points at the Doubletree Times Square for Dec 30-Jan 1? Given that the going rate for their top rooms with "ball drop view and package" is 350k points/night () and that the paid rate is about $7k over the 2 nights ($5700+ for the night of the 31st), I honestly can't imagine them selling out. If I'm wrong about how much people are willing to spend on a night in a NYC hotel room then more power to Doubletree--- I never expect to get a posh upgrade for free if there is a legitimate customer willing to pay for it! But on the other hand, if someone is going to get upgraded into that room, it might as well be me, or another Diamond that "outranks" me.

Any tips on getting my expectations properly set? I have already emailed the hotel manager asking about adding their NYE special package to our existing booking (apparently it is access to their special "ball drop" viewing area, couple bottles of champagne, free brekkie, and late check-out) but the response was "that is a paid item only" and that's where I was quoted the insane $5700/night rate.

I should add--- I won't die if we don't get upgraded, and I'm OK with it if we don't. I just want to get the nicest experience that I can, given the number of points I'm willing to part with, and hoping that my status will help sweeten the deal.

jamesteroh

I stayed there last year and didn't get upgraded and the hotel did sell out for at least new years night. I didn't get anything as far as an upgrade went (and seeing I used QF3n's for 2 nights and 100K total points for the other 2 nights of the stay I didn't expect one). I figured if someone was paying $5K to $7,500 a night even if they had Kettle status, they were a lot more entitled to an upgrade than I was as a diamond.

I noticed in my reservation for this year there are no nor-1 options, which means they are probably expecting the hotel sold out again this year. Seeing I am only spending 150,000 points for this stay, again I don't expect an upgrade (but sure wouldn't complain if I had one LOL).

What my friend and I did last year was just walked over to McCormicks for dinner and we just made a cocktail and went up to the top floor and got a decent view of the ball drop from the one hallway window. There is security on the top floor but there were a few people that just went upstairs and watched it. If you want alcohol to drink, buy it the day before or if you don't arrive until new years eve buy it early in the day because a lot of the cops won't allow you to bring alcohol in. The area starts getting closed off around 3 p.m. and you will have a letter the hotel will give you that you will have to show the police if you go outside the permiter to get back to your hotel and the police will escort a group of people back. I am glad I have done it that last couple years for the experience, but in all honesty this will probalby be my last year. Only reason I am going back this year (3rd year there, last year was also at the DT and year before that was the HGI on 8th) is I booked the room in January to make sure I had something and didn't pay attention that is was non cancellable and it's also going to be a weekend so I can catch some theater at least on Friday and Monday.

worldiswide

I think it has more to do with the hotel and their service philosophy than whether you are paid or free. We've stayed at the Conrad hong kong maybe a dozen times on award stays and always been on the exec floor. Last year we were at the pre opening of the Waldorf shanghai on q3fn in their heritage suites and were treated exceedingly well and felt like part of the hotel family by the time we left. Back farther the langham in London used to upgrade to terrific suites on award stays. We've also found that if you are given a room you don't like if you ask for a change it will be accommodated Esp in older non uniform hotels like those in European cities so always ask. You won't get what you don't ask for

3Cforme

Like bearX220 and Thunderroad mention, I haven't seen any systematic evidence of poorer treatment when on award stays.

dcpatti

jamesteroh thanks for the feedback. Totally agree, if someone wants to pay for the fancy room, they are WAY more entitled to it than I am. Just having a hard time getting my head around anyone dropping that kind of money on a hotel room for one night!

X3Skier

Never have noticed a difference as a Gold. Seems the luck of the day regarding upgrades etc. In fact, last paid stay in Cincinnati Netherland Hilton, no upgrade but upgrade in Madrid on an award stay.

Cheers

Virchow

Seems like it would be handy to have a printed copy of the T&C regarding upgrades for Elites on reward stays, but I could not find it on the Hilton Hhonors website.

travelinfoo

I think your expectations are completely out of whack! Diamond upgrades are stated as upgrades to the executive floor, if available. OTW, it's one level up from the room type you booked. It specfically excludes suites and does not include special packages, or extra items like alcohol. To expect that the hotel would give that special NYE packge to you for free is very presumptuous.

What you are entitled to is a one-level upgrade or EF room IF they are available. All complementary upgrades are subject to availability. If you have upgrade as your Diamond MyWay, you do get free breakfast even w/o upgrade. The benefit is a continental breafast but often times, many hotels will give a full or a small upcharge to upgrade to full. Also Gold and Diamonds are supposed to have late checkout (2PM I think) as part of their benefits. But this availability based as well.

If you want more, pay for it (points or $$). It is the ONLY way to guarantee a particular package or upgrade.

Why don't you just buy a couple bottles of champagne and find a place to watch the ball drop? Or go to a restaurant as jamerosteroh suggested?

jamesteroh

Here is hiltons upgrade policy:

A space-available room upgrade, including breakfast.**
You will be upgraded to an Executive Floor room (where/when available) at time of check-in. If an Executive Floor room is unavailable, you will be upgraded to the next best available room from the room type booked. Upgrades exclude suites, villas and specialty accommodations. At hotels with Executive Floor lounges, if an Executive Floor room upgrade is available, you will also receive access to the lounge. In addition, you will receive complimentary Continental breakfast for you and up to one additional registered hotel guest each day of your stay.

If upgrade/breakfast is your myway selection for Hiltons, they should follow it on a reward stay as well. When I use points/QF3N's, it is always when the rates are high due to a high demand. Seeing the hotel is usually full, and it's SPACE AVAILABLE, I nomrally don't expect an upgrade. I have never had a problem getting the free breakfast and internet, etc on a rewards stay.

IMO, if there are rooms available Hilton should do what most airlines do. GIve the upgrades to diamonds based on rates based, highest rates get the upgrades and people on rewards stay are the lowest priority until after all the diamonds have been taken care of and then do the same with golds. I realize it's a little harder with a hotel than an airline since there are different room types and bedding types.

smmrfld

You're serious? You asked to have that package added gratis to a points stay on what is likely the busiest night of the year? You really need to re-set your expectations and become familiar with program T&Cs as noted above.

JoshC

I have always been treated well on reward stays - sometimes better than paid stays...

3Cforme

That is sensible, as the T&C's make no differentiation between paid and award stays in the room upgrade benefits due the traveler.

jfadds

Had a bottle of champagne waiting in paris adt on a reward stay

ditto in sorrento

no difference here

jbelinc

I've never had problems with an award stay and have been upgraded twice on my 2 reward stays at an Embassy Suites in Jax.

adobbing

I just had a reward stay on Friday Night at a Hotel where three weeks ago it was showing no availability.

Had tried previously through the Diamond Desk, to redeem a Q4 free night certificate unsuccessfully.

A week later I was checking availability for another reward night using points and thought I would check this Hotel again.

Bizarrely even though no paid rates were available, it was now showing availability using points, so I booked at the standard points rate of 30,000 points!

Even though I had opted for an upgrade in my way preferences, I wasn’t too hopeful given that I know it was a very busy night, being in the middle of Christmas works party season.

I was very surprised, when on arrival found that not only had I been upgraded on a points stay during busy season, but that they had given me an executive suite, not just an executive room!