No Plat/Spire upgrade at HIEx?
Aug 30, 2017, 3:02 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Bangkok/Singapore
Programs: Frantic Hilton/Marriott runs
Posts: 925
No Plat/Spire upgrade at HIEx?
Upon check-in at a Holiday Inn Express here in HK, I was told that IHG Platinum are no longer to an upgrade at HIEx properties as almost all the rooms are standard.
They were prepared to make an exception for me because I've been staying here for the past 3 years and almost always in the suite.
Has anyone else faced this?
They were prepared to make an exception for me because I've been staying here for the past 3 years and almost always in the suite.
Has anyone else faced this?
Aug 30, 2017, 9:06 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Scotland, UK
Programs: BA: Bronze, IHG: Spire Elite, HHonors: Diamond Elite
Posts: 22
I've had this before in HIEx properties. I think there challenge is that there are no upgradable rooms, ie. they only have standard rooms. so there's nothing to upgrade you in to. They do offer higher floors etc. to try and help out.
Roy.
Roy.
Aug 30, 2017, 10:17 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam&Stuttgart& Edinburgh
Programs: IC Amb.,FB,Hertz,Sixt
Posts: 775
The few times that I have stayed in a HIX the booking has been modified to a room with an extra sofa bed and on a high floor, I guess that they don't have bigger than this. I have a booking next month and see the same
Aug 30, 2017, 6:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,098
The problem is, most HIX don't have rooms to upgrade elites into. However, there's still a good chance that you'll get a better room, e.g. higher floor, away from elevator etc. I've always gotten a higher floor room, and I've never been in a basement room beside the elevator.
Aug 30, 2017, 7:18 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
There's one that I've been to a few times where a Jacuzzi Room, even if not a suite, is an upgrade as they charge more for it.
Aug 30, 2017, 8:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: I hate my location and hope to flee from it soon.
Programs: Hyatt PL, PC Spire/RA, HH GOLD, SPG Green, Marriott Silver, Skywards B, CSA Gold, Lufthansa Paper,UA
Posts: 1,211
Just a quick reminder HIEX in USA and HIEX in Europe is VERY different beast. Not sure about Asia though.
Aug 30, 2017, 11:41 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Newcastle, UK
Programs: IHG Rewards Club Spire Elite, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 221
The problem is, most HIX don't have rooms to upgrade elites into. However, there's still a good chance that you'll get a better room, e.g. higher floor, away from elevator etc. I've always gotten a higher floor room, and I've never been in a basement room beside the elevator.
Aug 31, 2017, 1:35 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
In the US I am frequently upgraded to a "suite" as Plat/Spire at HIX hotels. This is generally a slightly-larger room with a sitting area featuring a sofa and a coffee table. That's about all I expect at a limited service property, BTW.
Aug 31, 2017, 3:38 am
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Bangkok, Thailand. No longer Palm Coast, FL though still exiled, again, from the Bay Area.
Programs: Only the good ones
Posts: 5,153
They do exist. HIX Zhabei in Shanghai always give me a two room suite with a large living room with couch and coffee table, plus the usual desk area. Not too bad for under US$40.
Otherwise, usually most of the HIX in stay in frequently just gives me the largest room available, noted in the res online before arrival.
Otherwise, usually most of the HIX in stay in frequently just gives me the largest room available, noted in the res online before arrival.
Aug 31, 2017, 8:44 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
Those are "junior suites"; some HIX properties have genuine separate-bedroom suites. My last suite upgrade at an HIX, the "living room" (lounge) was a conference room with a table that seated a dozen!
Aug 31, 2017, 9:13 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: VPS
Programs: IHG Diamond, Delta PM, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 7,262
Fair number of properties in North America branded as 'Holiday Inn & Suites' where room size expectations are larger.
Aug 31, 2017, 10:27 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
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They used to have those items included. I suspect they're available on request? A year ago I realized I needed a corkscrew for my wine; the desk clerk brought one up from housekeeping.
Aug 31, 2017, 12:21 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,932
I'm pretty sure the Seattle Airport Holiday Inn & Suites is a conversion from something else because their upgrade is a two room suite (plus bathroom) with kitchen area, including 3/4 size fridge and dishwasher, but no pots, china, or other kitchen items provided.
Fair number of properties in North America branded as 'Holiday Inn & Suites' where room size expectations are larger.
Fair number of properties in North America branded as 'Holiday Inn & Suites' where room size expectations are larger.
Holiday Inn Express (at least in the USA) has a self-service limited complimentary breakfast and no restaurant.
Holiday Inn, or Holiday Inn & Suites, has an actual restaurant (and generally no complimentary breakfast).
Aug 31, 2017, 12:33 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: RSW
Programs: Delta - Silver; UA - Silver; HHonors - Diamond; IHG - Spire Ambassador; Marriott Bonvoy - Titanium
Posts: 14,185
The property is a Holiday Inn Express; the Seattle Airport Holiday Inn became a CP a couple of years ago. You would have been better off not seizing on this one, as typo aside, it was on-thread.