FC flyer

Booked a deluxe Bosporus view at the Conrad Istanbul. Upgraded to an Executive Bosporus view. Really? What is the upgrade for a Diamond member. Lowest level of the hotel even though they have 'deluxe floors'. So what did we get as an upgrade? I am seeing this more and more. Upgrade is only to an "executive' room of the same level. Am I missing something here, or is there really no upgrade except in name only. Please don't ask why we didn't ask for a better room etc. That is not the point of this question.

kkong42

I agree there can be very poor upgrades like this where you already have the benefit from your status level that the "upgraded" room entitles you to.

Sometimes an Executive room comes with a coffee machine, other times there's not even that much of a difference between Deluxe and Executive.

Canarsie

In my blog, I wrote this article with details about my “upgrade” to a Pure Wellness room at a Hampton Inn.

Had I not been upgraded at no extra cost, the room would have cost $20.00 more plus tax.

Sisosig

Didn't you have to throw in a quarter?

Canarsie

No...

...which was a breath of fresh air for me.

Delectatio

That's why I won't bother chasing Diamond anymore this year. I now stay at decent hotels of my choice (usually much cheaper than the Hilton option) and only choose Hilton hotels when I know they are worth the higher price. I will enjoy my Diamond benefits as long as they last and from next year April I will book and pay for an executive room in a Hilton only when I know I will be getting something for my money. The executive rooms that I am getting upgraded to these days often only cost 35-50eur extra per night so if I want an executive room I will pay for it, not worth chasing status for anymore. Welcome gifts, exceptional breakfast experiences, suite upgrades and special treatment for Diamond members are clearly a thing of the past...

bon mot

I now choose my lodging based on my needs and not chasing HH points; in the US I rarely stay at Hilton properties as they are generally overpriced, in disrepair, and skimpy on perks - just unpleasant overall. I'll burn through my remaining HH points this fall in London and not look back.

FlyingM

That post was actually a fascinating read. I had no clue that was a offering in Hilton Properties. I had never seen it before.

NoY

Yep, makes me chuckle when guests seem genuinely delighted to be "upgraded" to an Executive Room, when the room is identical & their status gives equivalent benefits, regardless of the upgrade given (OK you may get a robe & a Nespresso machine in the room or something, but still).

I truly don't get it. It's often just game playing by the property.

Ryanardo_daVinci

It is, but those same properties typically have a guaranteed upgrade rule, so book an Exec to start with and you’ll get something much nicer.

Stripe

Sometimes the executive rooms are on a specific, more desirable floor and/or come with some extra amenities like bathrobes. Most US Hiltons have abandoned executive rooms entirely.

If it's a separate room category on their menu of rooms, and at a higher rate than your reserved room, then it is an upgrade per the terms of the Hilton Honors benefits.

NoY

Agreed. And indeed I do sometimes choose to do this - particularly at hotels that I know do play upgrade games.

TomMM

A few years ago I booked a corner room with a view at the Warsaw Hilton. At checkin I was upgraded to an executive room that was drab with no view. I returned to the front desk and asked for my original room back.

Delectatio

I was just pre-upgraded from a King Hilton guest room to a King Hilton guest room at the Hilton Düsseldorf :-)

enviroian

from my experience it means going from a view of a dumpster to a view of the back alley.