Consolidated "Best Strategies for Receiving an Upgrade" thread
Jan 10, 2020, 10:01 am
#316
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Mexico City
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold, IHG Silver, Choice Platinum, Wyndham Gold
Posts: 3,850
This is exactly why I do my research on the hotel rooms beforehand. Trust and believe that I know the best rooms ( floors, wings, sections, views) for the room categories that I want. When I ask for an upgrade, I give some specifics. It's been working for me so far for the past 10 years.
Jan 10, 2020, 2:24 pm
#317
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs: MP, Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 231
Ever been to Germany? The post from craz upthread is spot on - they'll "upgrade" you to the same room with a robe and pair of slippers in the closet. That's the most I've ever gotten in weeks of Diamond stays, including during absolutely dead periods (e.g. at business hotels around the holidays).
Jan 10, 2020, 2:26 pm
#318
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs: MP, Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 231
The joy of Diamond and Hilton is you are more or less assured of a free breakfast whatever brand you stay at; and where lounges exist, you get no quibble access. The space may be filled with family groups picnicking on the cheap, and the food is likely of the low-end comfort variety, but at least you'll get a drink
Jan 24, 2020, 4:52 pm
#319
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 41
Well update. I have now had two upgrades. Both in Pa. One at a Embassy Suites in Philadelphia, and a Hampton Inn in Lebanon Pa. It is off season.
Karatelovr I have only been in one hotel that had executive lounge and it was in Houston. It served breakfast and had snacks throughout the day. You can get drinks throughout the day as well.
Karatelovr I have only been in one hotel that had executive lounge and it was in Houston. It served breakfast and had snacks throughout the day. You can get drinks throughout the day as well.
Jan 24, 2020, 8:04 pm
#320
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,281
You need to travel across the pond my friend. Free canapés and alcohol beverages at most Hilton’s in Asia, diamond status is really amazing out here
Jan 25, 2020, 5:39 am
#321
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Harrisburg, PA
Programs: MP, Marriott, HHonors
Posts: 231
Well update. I have now had two upgrades. Both in Pa. One at a Embassy Suites in Philadelphia, and a Hampton Inn in Lebanon Pa. It is off season.
Karatelovr I have only been in one hotel that had executive lounge and it was in Houston. It served breakfast and had snacks throughout the day. You can get drinks throughout the day as well.
Karatelovr I have only been in one hotel that had executive lounge and it was in Houston. It served breakfast and had snacks throughout the day. You can get drinks throughout the day as well.
I'm headed to Houston in about a week and haven't booked a hotel for the weekend part of my trip. What is your suggestion?
Jan 25, 2020, 6:16 am
#322
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 41
Houston NASA/Clear Lake. Old Hilton but clean bed was comfortable. If you can get on the lake side good view. Safe travels.
Jan 25, 2020, 11:57 am
#323
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
I find these Diamond upgrade threads to be humorous. In the last five years, after trying every conceivable strategy short of bribes and threats of violence, I have received exactly zero upgrades. Before that, I can think of exactly 5 times that I got an upgrade, three of those on the same road trip booked by Diamond Desk, and I have been Diamond for at least 10 years. I can't even get an Executive Floor upgrade. I think there is a banner that comes up on the booking screen that says, "Say, 'I'm sorry that is not available.' Repeat as necessary." Heck, I have had to go back down to the desk and get changed to a room type that I booked. I have been put in rooms with a Christmas party set up in the hall outside my door. I have gotten a room that backed up the the breakfast prep area. I have tried to check in on the app and seen the dreaded no rooms available for check in (regular or upgrade) and instructions to check in at the front desk. However, I am darned sure to get a "paid" upgrade come on at least half of the time.
Jan 25, 2020, 12:07 pm
#324
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 694
I find these Diamond upgrade threads to be humorous. In the last five years, after trying every conceivable strategy short of bribes and threats of violence, I have received exactly zero upgrades. Before that, I can think of exactly 5 times that I got an upgrade, three of those on the same road trip booked by Diamond Desk, and I have been Diamond for at least 10 years. I can't even get an Executive Floor upgrade. I think there is a banner that comes up on the booking screen that says, "Say, 'I'm sorry that is not available.' Repeat as necessary." Heck, I have had to go back down to the desk and get changed to a room type that I booked. I have been put in rooms with a Christmas party set up in the hall outside my door. I have gotten a room that backed up the the breakfast prep area. I have tried to check in on the app and seen the dreaded no rooms available for check in (regular or upgrade) and instructions to check in at the front desk. However, I am darned sure to get a "paid" upgrade come on at least half of the time.
In my 14 months as a Diamond member, I have been upgraded at each and every Hilton hotel that I have stayed in. I've only stayed at Hilton and Conrad brands. So the upgrade system does work. I've had about 7 different hotel stays all at different locations (domestic USA and international)
Mar 3, 2020, 5:42 pm
#326
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Baltimore
Posts: 3
I’m Lifetime Diamond and I rarely get upgrades. Suggestions?
Any suggestions? I place a note in the reservation to “ please upgrade, if available.” I also ask at check in, to no avail. Why have the status if the upgrades are rare?
Mar 3, 2020, 8:26 pm
#327
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,872
Only you can answer that question. LD status is no different than regular Diamond status. Not sure what you’re expecting.
Mar 4, 2020, 2:49 am
#328
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: HH Diamond, GHA Titanium
Posts: 1,961
* Of course, "upgrade" can be as little as "high floor room" in some properties. But technically still an upgrade.
Mar 4, 2020, 6:23 am
#329
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
in Asia, diamond status is really amazing out here
I also find better treatment in cities where there are multiple Hilton properties - if it's only one much higher proportion of elites. And many properties will treat their individual frequent stayers better than a first time Diamond.
And be carefully about pushing too hard with the front desk/ manager, you may end up being classified in the system as a demanding or difficult guest.
Mar 4, 2020, 9:03 am
#330
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AA LT PLT (3.6+ MM), UA 1K LT Gold, Hilton LT Diamond, Bonvoy Gold.
Posts: 1,662
There is third option, which is when you start the check-in process, after you have chosen the arrival time,a room suggestion comes up immediately, which is an upgraded room and message to that effect. The room type is also visible at this point, and you can compare it to what you booked originally against Hilton.com's list of room types. There is a second option on that screen which allows you to choose another room, and there may well be other upgraded room options. Again the room type is specified and can be compared against what is booked.
For the two options you are referring to, if you "select own room" then again you should be shown the room type. Bear in mind that most upgrades are a single jump, so perhaps from a Queen Room to the Queen Deluxe - many people wouldn't notice the difference. But if you look at the Hilton.com room types there is a clear hierarchy laid out there.
If you instead use the floor map instead of the room tabular listing, you may notice a small up arrow symbol on available rooms, indicating they are upgrades. This is inconsistent, I've seen it come and go even in the same hotel a short time apart, so I suspect someone needs to correctly press particular buttons to make it happen.
Finally if you go to the My Stay tab, you will see the room type: this particular field will update to whatever the current upgraded room offering is, typically a day or so before arrival. This is a seamless change, so you need to recall what you booked or look at the original email booking to see whether this is actually an upgrade.
Just be aware of some "upgrades" are not what they seem - so for example going from a Queen to a Twin Premium room - this is an upgrade but not if you wanted the larger bed!
For the two options you are referring to, if you "select own room" then again you should be shown the room type. Bear in mind that most upgrades are a single jump, so perhaps from a Queen Room to the Queen Deluxe - many people wouldn't notice the difference. But if you look at the Hilton.com room types there is a clear hierarchy laid out there.
If you instead use the floor map instead of the room tabular listing, you may notice a small up arrow symbol on available rooms, indicating they are upgrades. This is inconsistent, I've seen it come and go even in the same hotel a short time apart, so I suspect someone needs to correctly press particular buttons to make it happen.
Finally if you go to the My Stay tab, you will see the room type: this particular field will update to whatever the current upgraded room offering is, typically a day or so before arrival. This is a seamless change, so you need to recall what you booked or look at the original email booking to see whether this is actually an upgrade.
Just be aware of some "upgrades" are not what they seem - so for example going from a Queen to a Twin Premium room - this is an upgrade but not if you wanted the larger bed!
I have never seen that option. You must be special!