Consolidated "Best Strategies for Receiving an Upgrade" thread
#31
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: HH DIA, SPG Plat
Posts: 27
Etiquette/technique asking for a room upgrade
HHonors Gold. I want to maximize the (slim) chances of getting an upgrade at an upcoming stay in LA.
I had called ahead to notify front desk mgr that I will be staying there and would like an upgrade if possible. Beyond that should just ask at time of checkin?
Do I have to meet some legalese requirement explictly asking 'Do you have a space available upgrade...I would like to utilize that space available upgrade'?
I had called ahead to notify front desk mgr that I will be staying there and would like an upgrade if possible. Beyond that should just ask at time of checkin?
Do I have to meet some legalese requirement explictly asking 'Do you have a space available upgrade...I would like to utilize that space available upgrade'?
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
I put "please upgrade if possible - thanks!" in the comments section of the reservation.
Upon arrival, if an upgrade is not mentioned first by the clerk, I inquire "Any chance of an upgrade?" in a friendly tone.
Upon arrival, if an upgrade is not mentioned first by the clerk, I inquire "Any chance of an upgrade?" in a friendly tone.
#33
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
HHonors Gold. I want to maximize the (slim) chances of getting an upgrade at an upcoming stay in LA.
I had called ahead to notify front desk mgr that I will be staying there and would like an upgrade if possible. Beyond that should just ask at time of checkin?
Do I have to meet some legalese requirement explictly asking 'Do you have a space available upgrade...I would like to utilize that space available upgrade'?
I had called ahead to notify front desk mgr that I will be staying there and would like an upgrade if possible. Beyond that should just ask at time of checkin?
Do I have to meet some legalese requirement explictly asking 'Do you have a space available upgrade...I would like to utilize that space available upgrade'?
Please provide HH Gold upgrade if available. Thanks and I look forward to staying with you!
Successful about 1/3 of the time without begging at check in.
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,395
I have noticed on a couple upcoming reservations I have made, it has had nor-1 upgrades available and and for the windsor, ONT hilton one of the options was for $0 (space available).
I do the online check in a lot and upgrades are never shown so when I get to the hotel I just politely ask for an upgrade. If you ask the worst they can do is say no upgrades are available and you aren't out anything.
Speaking of upgrades, I was told at some hotels that if you have a $20 out for a tip for a priceline reservation and ask the clerk for an upgrade a lot of times the clerk will give you an upgrade. I am not sure if Hilton gets away with this, but I think it is unfair to a Diamond or Gold member if they don't get an upgrade when a person on a priceline reservation is getting one.
I do the online check in a lot and upgrades are never shown so when I get to the hotel I just politely ask for an upgrade. If you ask the worst they can do is say no upgrades are available and you aren't out anything.
Speaking of upgrades, I was told at some hotels that if you have a $20 out for a tip for a priceline reservation and ask the clerk for an upgrade a lot of times the clerk will give you an upgrade. I am not sure if Hilton gets away with this, but I think it is unfair to a Diamond or Gold member if they don't get an upgrade when a person on a priceline reservation is getting one.
#35
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: AA Plt 3MM; UA 1K 2 MM; MR Lifetime Plat; HH Lifetime Diamond; HH Diamond; IGH Spire Ambas; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,149
If a forthcoming stay is for a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.), I fax the hotel 1-2 days in advance and explain why I am asking for an upgrade. Better yet--ask in a FT post who has been known to facilitate such upgrades--and ask for the email address of that person.
Works quite often--even in places where I have no status.
Works quite often--even in places where I have no status.
#36
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH diamond
Posts: 2,646
Make sure your MyWay is set to upgrades/breakfast option. Otherwise, your chances of upgrade will be quite slim. Hotels are enforcing the MyWays more strictly. So if you have points or internet slelected, you SHOULD NOT get an upgrade and should NOT expect one.
#37
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,015
1. Put in comments section of the reservation: "REQ AVL GOLD UPGRD. THX!" (If you forget at initial booking, email Gold desk and ask them to add this to the comments section)
2. FAX (not email or call) a request to the hotel, attention GM, three days before.
2. FAX (not email or call) a request to the hotel, attention GM, three days before.
#38
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Not a good idea: walk up, be ostentatious, loud and demeaning, and give 'em an old DYKWIA? FIGJAM!
Better ideas:
Better ideas:
- Add request and special circumstances in comment box (e.g. "pls hold rm for late arrvl by air" etc.)
- Contact a week or less in advance via e-mail.
- If the stay is really a special event, be sure to mention that: "It is our xxth anniversary and we met in your lovely city." etc.
- Call a couple of days in advance.
- Approach desk with status and credit cards in hand and "I think my numbers must be entered, but..."
- "Have you any available upgrades? I'd really appreciate whatever you can extend me!" card in hand.
#39
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: ORD (MDW stinks)
Programs: UAMM, AAMM & ExPlat, Marriott lifetime Plat, IHG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 23,500
might pick up some tips/tricks at this event: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...th-2010-a.html
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#40
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Programs: UALifetimePremierGold, Marriott LifetimeTitanium
Posts: 71,094
might pick up some tips/tricks at this event: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/commu...th-2010-a.html
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Cheers.
#41
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
Bribing the clerk is not the correct way of getting an upgrade (according to "etiquette" – see the thread title).
#42
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: AA, US, WN, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 1,528
If your preferences are set to upgrade and breakfast check in online the morning before to see what is available. I was offered a Jr. Suite at the Millenium Hilton a few months ago - more than the standard Gold VIP upgrade.
#43
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
Speaking of upgrades, I was told at some hotels that if you have a $20 out for a tip for a priceline reservation and ask the clerk for an upgrade a lot of times the clerk will give you an upgrade. I am not sure if Hilton gets away with this, but I think it is unfair to a Diamond or Gold member if they don't get an upgrade when a person on a priceline reservation is getting one.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: SJC/VCE
Programs: AA PLT (2.9+ MM), HH GLD, Hyatt Diamond, SPG PLT
Posts: 10,161
#45
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
Nonsense... I have visited Las Vegas a minimum of twice a year for the last 20 years and I never found the need to bribe the fornt desk to be upgraded and since I am normally "a guest of the casino" I have gotten some wonderful upgrades there.
Personally I find bribing the front desk a very shoddy practice and those who find the need to do so IMHO exhibit values just a smidgen above the hotel personnel whose palms they are greasing.
As a longtime HH member I find I have had a very high upgrade percentage so the neccesity of a bribe is moot and doesnt even enter my thought process.
mike
Personally I find bribing the front desk a very shoddy practice and those who find the need to do so IMHO exhibit values just a smidgen above the hotel personnel whose palms they are greasing.
As a longtime HH member I find I have had a very high upgrade percentage so the neccesity of a bribe is moot and doesnt even enter my thought process.
mike