Do 'additional comments' when booking help with upgrades?
 

Couldn't find a topic on this - wondering what you guys usually write in the additional comments and if it helps with being upgraded or not. I usually leave this blank and ask on check in, however was wondering whether the allocation or check in staff actually read this and assign upgrades based upon it.

While I have never requested an upgrade in the comments field, in my experience some hotels in Asia actually do read and act upon comments, while US & European hotels never bother. So, IME, it is a waste of time.

I will often write things such as "I don't really need a hearing accessible room" or "Upgrade request for exec floor, 1 king or 2 queens ok". Because I'll generally book the cheapest room but not care about bed type, and on those occasions I book an "accessible" room because it's cheaper than a regular room, I'll note that I don't need it so they can give it to someone who does.

Whether or not the hotel actually reads the comments - no idea. I suspect it varies from property to property and employee to employee.

There have been a number of threads on this over the years. Some people have said that they always write in the comments field that an upgrade is appreciated or identify why an upgrade might be appreciated (due to a special occasion). I feel that there are enough people doing this that the hotel staff just seems to ignore the comments. My advice is to book the room you want.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ng-online.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...upgrade-5.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...ond-vip-7.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...-upgraded.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...s-section.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/22352892-post14.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...-upgraded.html

Depends on the hotel, depends who is processing the room assignments.... I would never blatantly ask for an upgrade. However, if it is one of those cases where I book the lowest cost room (such as a 2 bed) and I do not need that room type I will note it in the comments. I also had one hotel who assigned me near the elevator two times even though my profile says "away from elevator" and I returned to that hotel a third time recently and that time typed in the comments high floor away from elevator. What did I get assigned? First floor room by the door to the parking lot and some stairs.

It appears some hotels (Doubletree SLC Airport, formerly Hilton SLC Airport) play little passive aggressive games with room request comments. They also ignore when the customer gives them a negative survey and when the customer complains to Hilton Corporate about it.

Perhaps such hotels would make good Ramadas.

Exactly this IMO.

additional info should be used for non upgrade requests, and then most hotels repect and act on it. field is not there to say i want my HH upgrade.

If hotel is going to upgrade you it will happen whether you ask for upgrade or don't ask in additional info. If not upgraded at checkin time one can always ask politely if any chance of a nice room or upgrade. I am not too bothered on 1night stays but will ask at checkin on my multinight stays,

As an elite when booking twin bed room type I often add comments, as usually hotels EXEC Rrooms predominantly/only have King Beds (no twins), which is often the expected/hoped for upgrade.

Ocasionally I don't want an upgrade from twin room to an Exec King, or conversely only twin bed type available and I'd like a King Bed.

I have never been to date changed from a King Bed room to Twin beds room type. Booking King Bed I don't leave any additional info comment.

eg additional info .....

"I booked+need twin beds. Please do not change/upgrade to a king/queen bedded room"

"King Bedded room preferred please. (only twin type was available to book)"

note
I still get my upgrades where hotels want to upgrade elites, and conversely also believe I get more/better upgrades as the backroom person allocating rooms/upgrades appreciates no mention of "I am HHD can I be upgraded" demand no matter how politely phrased.

If one's gonna write "an upgrade is appreciated", they must as well write "you better give me to your most expensive suite for the price of a broom closet room". If anyone thinks they're coy about asking this, they're not.

Haters gonna hate.

#blessed

asking directly for an upgrade in requests will almost certainly guarantee that you do not get one. Putting something friendly or humorous, appealing to the GSA's kindness, will most likely result in an upgrade. Remember the person allocating rooms sees hundreds of these requests every week, the vast majority of guests (especially midweek)have status, all are expecting their status to trump that of another guest, as they feel "special". Those members that are arrogant rude or demanding will usually get the worse rooms, it human nature. Like in a restaurant if your rude from the off to your server you will get crappy service, if your friendly they will enjoy helping you.