scubadu

In areas such as this, understanding how others on FT "view that situation" is of incredibly limited value and is highly overrated. Particularly unless you are getting responses from people that match your economic situation and your value system. For example, if the responses are coming from people that can afford to just "buy the upgrade" and not think twice about it, but the OP doesn't have the financial ability to swing that, it's largely irrelevant to their circumstance.

IMHO, "is it worth it" threads on FT are a colossal waste of time. Only the individual paying the bill can determine "worth."

Regards

vonsnooks

Generally, I don't pay for upgrades unless the circumstances warrant (e.g., number of travelers in the party, unusual amenities or HHV over the holidays as others have echoed in this thread) or when the value is particularly compelling (which it usually isn't). I'll also note that at a few properties, I've not been offered a free upgrade, but asked to pay for the next step up...

writerguyfl

Based on that view, any thread on FlyerTalk that even remotely relates to money is of incredibly limited value and highly overrated? That's silly.

You seem to be assuming that the people asking questions are unable to use critical thinking when reading responses. No one is going to interpret "I never pay for upgrades" as gospel. And no one is going to buy an upgrade if they can't afford to do it.

jamesteroh

I don't. I just hope for the best at checkin, but I don't spend that much time in the room.

It's airline upgrades I find the most value in.

scubadu

Actually, there are countless (likely daily) examples on FT of people that lack critical thinking skills.

I'm not "assuming" anything about anyone, other than leveraging my observations of thousands and thousands of similar posts on FT over many years.

I'm quite comfortable with my statement; "worth" questions are specific to the individual and people ought to be plenty capable of thinking through that and making a decision in their own best interest.

Whether you agree with me or not, frankly I'm afraid I couldn't care less.

Regards

pinniped

I do it when I know I want a large suite. I've done it a few times after booking a standard award.

:D!

If you want to guarantee a certain room type then pay. Otherwise just hope for the best or beg at check-in.

writerguyfl

Likewise. I was merely answering your initial question. Of course, you are certainly free to dismiss all the responses provided by well-meaning people who were kind enough to answer the OP's question.

scubadu

Well, actually I considered my perspective "well meaning" even though it's not your perspective. I shared my perspective, others have shared theirs and the OP can choose. That is diversity of thought.

You,on the other hand, actually haven't shared any perspective on the actual OPs questions; it seems you just came here to debate me. You now have three posts in this thread, all directed at me, not the OPs query.

Do you actually have any actionable response or advice for the OP? Or did you just come to argue with me?

Regards

Jaimito Cartero

pinniped

FWIW, I find this to be a completely valid question that a new Diamond - or even someone new to seeing the NOR1 offers - would ask.

The program advertises upgrades to some extent, so it's natural to wonder why NOR1 would offer a Diamond a $20 paid upgrade to something that isn't a suite, sometimes alongside more expensive upgrades to suites. People can share their experiences with what the typical Diamond "upgrade" really looks like vs. what you almost certainly aren't going to get for free at check-in.

The NOR1 software does not appear to know what your status is. I've long thought the system would make more sense if it did, and still show the suites as an option you can pay to confirm ahead of your stay. Since it shows those lame $20 "upgrades" that a Diamond should never have to pay for, it is confusing when you see it for the first time.

Land-of-Miles

I think it's obvious that some properties make the effort to programme the free upgrades and others don't. It is really a missed opportunity as if the upgrade fees took into account the initial likely starting upgrade zero cost they would be more attractive to diamonds and perhaps more often taken up.

Sadly most properties make little effort with it.

corporate-wage-slave

I think NOR1 does know that you have some sort of upgrade due from status, usually the first level upgrade is marked as free, and then suites (etc) at a paid for price.

Though like others, in theory I would pay extra via NOR1 once in a while for very particular reasons, in reality I tend to book the lowest room which is acceptable, and then see what happens. The only occasion I can recall doing NOR1 was for a San Diego hotel which gave a balcony with seaviews and people watching potential. That worked well until the hotel decided very late on to give another upgrade - by their definition - on top, to a room with heaps of space(which we didn't need) but no balcony. Luckily they were very swift to reverse the upgrade and all was well. Otherwise I don't both looking at NOR1, let alone set anything on it even when "free".

ozztraveller

I don't see it as much as I used to and that is when the hotel upgrades you, usually the day before and the Nor1 will show possible upgrades based on the new room they have given you. As an example I would be upgraded to an exec room at Hilton Cairns (AUS) and the Nor1 would show a suite for an extra $60, recently this has showed a few times at Sydney Hilton as well when a relaxation room upgrade was showing and the suite was an extra $80.

I have not used this feature for many years and now prefer to spend extra on a higher category hire car considering I spend most of the day exploring and back at the hotel asleep in the room at night.

jtao9

do not pay for an upgrade fee. call the hotel directly first before you book.