jamesteroh

I can understand a price line customer paying for an upgrade.

My concern here is if a priceline (or anyone besides a gold or diamond guests) offers $20 to the desk clerk at that hilton, does that mean they could upgrade them taking away an upgrade from a diamond or gold member?

I would hope the hotel would have better controls over that. I really don't see it being an issue if a desk clerk upgrades a priceline and takes a tip IF the rooms will be unsold anyway. But I think it's unfair for a guest to get an upgrade just because they offer the desk clerk a tip taking away a room from a diamond or gold customer and denying them an upgrade.

It is the gold and especially diamond guests who are hiltons bread and butter, not priceline customers.

ChinaShrek

I was refering to this rather popular thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/onlin...tel-check.html

I have not done it myself and agree with your opinion of the practice.

jamesteroh

And if you are a premium member of any hotel program you shouldn't have to tip or be expected to.

If someone is on a priceline reservation or another type service reservation, I don't think they should be expecting an upgrade anyway. I don't see a problem with them tipping the desk clerk though if they will upgrade them. HOWEVER, upgrades shouldn't be given out unless there is enough inventory for the premium guests that will be checking in that day. I don't think it's acceptable to upgrade a person on a $59 priceline reservation and then denying an upgrade to a gold or diamond member that is a frequent guest of the chain paying $150 a night because that upgrade was given to someone that tipped the clerk.

I have tipped a clerk at the courtyard in Toronto before for upgrading me but didn't really consider that a bribe. I usually prefer hilton family hotels but in Toronto the courtyard is a lot more convenient downtown. I always ask for an end room and she told me they didn't have any but she would be happy to upgrade me to a corner suite with a balcony and I was on a cheap AAA weekend special rate and tipped her $20 for it. I didn't have any money out before she gave me the upgrade and only wanted an end room not an upgrade so really don't consider that bribing her.

Points Scrounger

Amen!

I'm amazed folks take the time to contact the hotel between putting an upgrade in the res note and arrival, unless it's a truly special occasion? My upgrade percentage at Hilton and Doubletree is quite high without it.

I am thoroughly amazed by all the elites who post that they (almost) never get upgraded. I can think of twice where I've brought it up at check-in when realizing the hotel (clerk) wasn't going to do so otherwise; each time they found a room, with one apologizing that he couldn't swing a suite for me.

travelinfoo

I suspect they have their MyWay set to something other than upgrade. And still expect to get an upgrade.

I have been upgraded almost everywhere, not always to an ER but at least to a deluxe. At some of the hotels I frequented, I had gotten a suite here and there. But I have to say the type of upgrade (even to ER) has declined dramatically in the past 9 months.

cblaisd

Pretty much my experience - except at certain properties where I know there simply is no upgraded inventory, just standard rooms. (I know of a couple of Hamptons and HGIs like this)

jamesteroh

I think NOR-1 has a lot to do with it. If someone really wants an upgrade bad enough they'll pay the small upgrade fee instead of risking it not being available (or in the case of silver or lower won't get it at all).

I love the spa rooms at the Wit in chicago since they are corner rooms and will just book it at the $15 a night extra fee. I am using a promo certificate in late June and was only able to get a standard room with it. The NOR-1 for $15 extra came up for the spa room and I chose it.

CMK10

I've had good luck by being friendly when I check in, asking the person helping me "how's your night/day going?" then saying "any chance at an upgrade?"

UAuhoh

The thread title also mentions "technique" and I can confirm that, unpleasant as it may be for some, $20 to the front desk clerk works just about everytime (not that I have tried it as a Diamond member).

trueblu

Sorry if this is OT -- but if the online check-in options don't offer upgraded accomodations, does selecting a room diminish the chances of an upgrade at the desk upon arrival?

tb

blueline7

I have avoided the $20 thing forever...but I finally relented when I got a terrible room at the Waldorf Astoria in New Orleans....I went down and complained and the clerk accommodated me with a huge suite...The $20 was on the counter the whole time, but I treated it as a tip after the fact, rather than a bribe before the fact...

cfischer

I hope Hilton cracks down on anyone taking bribes. This is unacceptable and I would never offer any. Where does this end? Employees selling Plasma TVs for $50 'tips'?

burtonmadness

Never had a suite upgrade at any hilton property. Only once not got on the exec floor though.

Hoping for an upgrade at the Millenium Hilton in NYC, but since on e-certs maybe not.

BM

travelinfoo

It's your status and your MyWay choice that dictates your benefits. You are treated the same whether you are on an award or a paid (not third-party & esp not blind bid) stay.
Suites are not part of the upgrade benefits. However, several of us have gotten them here and there. They should never be expected but always a welcome surprise if it happens.

With an award, IMO, you get the best "bang for the buck" by setting your MyWay to upgrade/breakfast. At the very least you'll get a one level upgrade and breakfast (supposedly continental but in my experience, often full).

b1513

Same here. ERs are not always that special anyway. All it means to me is access to the lounge.

If I hate the room I got, I complain and get another.


Bobette