Any luck getting room upgrades on stay with points?
Jul 14, 2011, 4:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: DEN
Programs: DL PM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,816
Any luck getting room upgrades on stay with points?
Currently a plat, looking to book a stay with points for 3 nights at the ICH in Sydney and 3 nights at the Holiday Inn in Cairns....wondering if I can get a room upgrade even though I'm paying with points.
also, debating upgrading to ambassador for this trip...with the airport car service and just everything else ambassador comes with...... would that be a good idea?
I'm assuming guaranteed upgrades still apply on stays with points?
also, debating upgrading to ambassador for this trip...with the airport car service and just everything else ambassador comes with...... would that be a good idea?
I'm assuming guaranteed upgrades still apply on stays with points?
Last edited by apolloms; Jul 14, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Jul 14, 2011, 9:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YHZ
Programs: IC Platinum Ambassador, Fairmont President's Club, AC Altitude Elite 50K
Posts: 131
Currently a plat, looking to book a stay with points for 3 nights at the ICH in Sydney and 3 nights at the Holiday Inn in Cairns....wondering if I can get a room upgrade even though I'm paying with points.
also, debating upgrading to ambassador for this trip...with the airport car service and just everything else ambassador comes with...... would that be a good idea?
I'm assuming guaranteed upgrades still apply on stays with points?
also, debating upgrading to ambassador for this trip...with the airport car service and just everything else ambassador comes with...... would that be a good idea?
I'm assuming guaranteed upgrades still apply on stays with points?
I would recommend getting ambassador prior to booking your stay and e-mailing the GM or Guest Relations Director after you've booked.
Jul 15, 2011, 12:06 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Shouldn't make a difference at Holiday inns, they generally try to UG plats regardless. But your AMB status means nothing there.
Jul 15, 2011, 1:50 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,314
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8520/4.6.1.314 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/125)
Airport car service isn't free to Amb or RA (free airport transfers for RAs at all hotels would be a great benefit if anyone from IHG is reading this :-)), it's supposed to be discounted but I've never had a rate quoted that was cheaper than just getting a taxi.
Airport car service isn't free to Amb or RA (free airport transfers for RAs at all hotels would be a great benefit if anyone from IHG is reading this :-)), it's supposed to be discounted but I've never had a rate quoted that was cheaper than just getting a taxi.
Jul 15, 2011, 5:01 am
#5
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
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8520/4.6.1.314 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/125)
Airport car service isn't free to Amb or RA (free airport transfers for RAs at all hotels would be a great benefit if anyone from IHG is reading this :-)), it's supposed to be discounted but I've never had a rate quoted that was cheaper than just getting a taxi.
Airport car service isn't free to Amb or RA (free airport transfers for RAs at all hotels would be a great benefit if anyone from IHG is reading this :-)), it's supposed to be discounted but I've never had a rate quoted that was cheaper than just getting a taxi.
Jul 15, 2011, 12:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Diamond, AA 2.5 MM, United Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,460
I just stayed at the ICH Sydney last week (Plat Ambassador) on points. At checkin, they offered upgrade to the Executive floor, but the charge was $120AUD per night.
Jul 15, 2011, 2:54 pm
#7
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 375
I've had pretty good luck with upgrades when staying on points, but I'm guessing Australia is different...
Jul 16, 2011, 12:57 pm
#8
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Newbury, UK
Programs: BA Gold, BMI Gold, IC Amb and Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 43
IHG policy is no upgrade for points stays, but sometimes individual properties give them. Very hit and miss, The best advice is not to expect anything and don't be disappointed if that's exactly what you receive, anything else is a nice bonus. Not sure on the ambassador upgrade for points, I'll defer to other posters on that one, but if that's the only time you'll be using it then probably not worth the gamble, maybe simpler to offer to pay for an upgrade if nothing offered when you arrive, often can bag a bargain if inventory is there.
Jul 16, 2011, 2:48 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ottawa
Programs: IC/AMB - Diamond Elite, AC E50K, AA, AM-Onyx, HH-Diamond, BW, Choice - Gold
Posts: 1,736
For Ambassador and RA , the no upgrade policy also applies on reward nights, as per the T&Cs:
"When staying on Reward Nights, all Ambassador and Royal Ambassador privileges apply with the exception of upgrades, free Pay TV film per stay, 24 hour guaranteed room availability, 8:00am early check-in and complimentary mini bar beverages. Ambassadors are charged Single Rate for Double Room Occupancy."
However, many properties do offer more than what the T&Cs state.
mxm135
"When staying on Reward Nights, all Ambassador and Royal Ambassador privileges apply with the exception of upgrades, free Pay TV film per stay, 24 hour guaranteed room availability, 8:00am early check-in and complimentary mini bar beverages. Ambassadors are charged Single Rate for Double Room Occupancy."
However, many properties do offer more than what the T&Cs state.
mxm135
Jul 17, 2011, 5:12 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: UA Premier Exec; AA Platinum; SPG Gold; PC Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 285
Ambassador = PC Gold
Jul 18, 2011, 12:02 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Jul 18, 2011, 1:09 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: DL PM - IC RA - HHonors Gold - Hertz Gold - AA - US - CO - Choice Privileges
Posts: 1,658
A bit difficult to determine if the room is an upgrade or not as rooms are subjective at best. At a stay at the Mark Hopkins last weekend one night was a paid night and one night was an award night. I asked if the Platinum and Ambassador status was taken into consideration and the staff indicated yes but no futher explaination. The 4 PM checkout was appreciated and the room was on the 12th floor but no free breakfast or free mini bar or suite. Ironically the view was the least desired view so I was a bit disappointed.
