mreynolds767

Curious members experience on this...
Kind of shocked I didn't see any threads on this.
In the Hilton and Hyatt brands it is something very commonly discussed.

I read that you cannot use Suite upgrades and the like on Reward/Point stays to upgrade your room ; but does the IHG often upgrade point/reward stays for their members?

I am only Platinum and am not an IHG Ambasssador so don't have high hopes but maybe Diamond members receive them commonly?
Is it like other brands where within the US they may be hard to get but happen frequently in Europe or Asia?
Do you get upgrades with advance notice or only at the front desk ; do you have to ask for them?
IHG has many different brands under their umbrella so it could vary per brand?

cruser1

Traditionally complimentary upgrades have been pretty poor. The switch to IHG One Rewards provided more guidance on complimentary upgrades and hotels are being encouraged to offer more upgrades, up to standard suites.

Keep in mind the complimentary upgrades to club rooms don't include club benefits, so if the room is the same, as it often is, you've basically received nothing extra.

ProjectSunburst

There are quite an amount of variables to upgrades when it comes to cash stays (brand, status, location, etc..).

For point stays, upgrades are usually not guaranteed but can seldom be granted if you hold Diamond and above status.

yyckiwi

I have found you seem to get the usual "variable" diamond room upgrades on both points and cash bookings. But I have mainly used HIX, HI and Staybridge the last two years.

WannabePBA

I can't remember the last time I got an upgrade on a paid stay, let alone an award stay..... (Diamond)

tatia

I get upgraded on almost every stay (Kimptons on paid, points or free cc night) as a diamond but I’m usually staying on less popular nights and at hotels where I stay often enough that the employees recognize me.

Aventine

I've gotten the highest Diamond Ambassador (Premium Hinoki tub room) upgrade on points at voco seoul.

Hawkeyefan

I think higher end resorts are the sweet spot. Im a Plat and stayed at the Seafire Kimpton on points only and got a great upgrade. Don't expect super upgrades at CP's or HI's though

Charentedame

I stayed a couple of nights on points at Regent Porto Montenegro recently. Was upgraded to King Suite sea view with balcony Venezia. Booked basic room originally. Then cancelled and rebooked when higher category rooms became available for points. Received email couple of days before stay. I’m diamond ambassador.

Admiral Ackbar

Completely opposite of my experience, since i have been Diamond last year always get put in suites at HIX/HI (i do go back to the same hotels multiple times a year) and got upgrades on all my IC stays, paid and reward (have reported most in the relevant stickies)

FLYGVA

Mixed impressions for me. Got upgrades on award stays but also no upgrade on paid stays at the very same hotel. Depends on how full the hotel is from my point of view.

Ldnn1

I think you may have a different meaning of the word 'seldom' to me (I read as 'rarely'), but in my experience upgrades are usually granted on award stays as a Diamond.

In fact, like @yyckiwi, I've not noticed any difference between cash and award in that respect - in that both can be variable.