stargold

What am I missing? Why would using the hotel's airport transfer service have anything to do with room upgrades?

offerendum

Sometimes I guess you get better upgrades if you take additional Services like Transfer, restaurant or SPA reservations. But it`s a "soft-factor" like being a frequent guest what`s more important in my eyes.

grumbler

Usually not in my experience.

Musken

Using the hotel services makes sure that the staff and management of the hotel are aware of your exact arrival time. The driver use to call when we are close to the hotel to make them aware that the car with you is approaching, making it possible for them to be in the reception or outside to greet you upon arrival and it can be nice to get to know them in person. However, this does not always happen and certainly does not guarantee you an upgrade.

MikeFromTokyo

Of course it does not guarantee you any special treatment, but it certainly can only help you. Recently I was given a complimentary 8 PM late check-out at a Four Seasons hotel, and I suspect this had to do with my using their hotel car for the airport transfer.

I think especially as a first time guest, having the hotel handle the airport transportation makes them take you a bit more seriously. It probably indicates that a guest is more likely to have high incidental spend during the stay. Furthermore, I like having the hotel provide transportation because they are then responsible for service recovery in the event of any kind of delay or mishap.


To answer the OP's question specifically about upgrades at FSHK, this property has high enough occupancy and enough repeat guests and/or guests paying for club rooms and suites that the car transfer will not likely significantly affect your chance of an upgrade. However, it could theoretically help a bit in this regard if the hotel has to decide whom to upgrade; i.e. it could give you an edge over someone else booking the same room at the same rate, but not requesting an arrival transfer. Upgrades aside, booking the transfer service will definitely improve your arrival experience at the hotel.

Pausanias

I took the FSHK's limo service and was whisked through in minutes - in fact, so fast was the FS rep that I think I might have won an Olympic Gold Medal. From flight touchdown to climbing into bed was no more than 40 minutes.

I took the humble S-class Merc and there was no upgrade. If I took the Bentley, maybe, but the image problem of a Bentley speaks for itself.

speedbird001

This is by far the easiest hotel commute (I think) in the world. Take the airport express train. It leaves right from the terminal- a 3 minute walk from baggage claim. As you board the train call the FS and tell them you are boarding the train. A driver will meet you when you exit in HK and 3 minutes to the hotel.

offerendum

P.s. Often you can take an independent limousine service, pay for the higher category and even save money.

eamus

I took this service and was met at the gate. I had to wait at immigration of course, but other than that it was seamless and comfortable, and as stated upthread, was a really nice introduction as a first time guest. They ran be back to the Airport Express outbound (free service).

The key benefit for me: when I arrived at the hotel in the absolutely pouring rain, the staff held a golf umbrella for me as I walked across the forecourt to look at an Aston Martin One-77. That's service!

luxury

I will be using this service in two weeks when I stay at FSHK. I will report back my impressions.

Aventine

We've done it with the Pen and MO. It's very convenient but it didn't influence an upgrade for us. Infact at the MO, the duty manager didn't evem care enough to see us off (after some major issues) with the Benz car service.

Staying at the FS, the train was just so convenient so we just did that. We were lucky to arrive in the afternoon though. 12am redeye would be something different and I know the value of a car pickup when you just want to crash.

xray

Definitely agree on the value of the hotel car when you want seamless service... FSPP helps with the upgrades but the car service can also help with early checkin... They know you're on the way and in Asia, the manager usually has greeted me when I've used the car service.

little bunny

Thanks for all the replies!
The last time I flew in to HKG on CX, I had to wait for over half an hour at the passport control, so I wouldn't wanna go through that again...
Complimentary 8PM checkout? You're so lucky! I'll just mention that it's my sister's birthday and hope they will do something special.

Larkin

I have used this service on numerous occasions at the FS HK. It is a terrific service, particularly if you are landing in the very distant star alliance gates where it us a long walk and a train vs a golf cart! Although unlike BKK and some other airports they cannot expedite you through customs, I have still found I am off with my bags and in the car to the hotel before I see others that were on my flight get into baggage claim!

I don't think it helps with upgrades necessarily, but particularly in HK where the service is exemplary, they have always been there to greet and escort you immediately from the car to your room for check- in. And sometimes if lucky an upgrade. But doubt the pick up service influences the upgrades. More often from my experience, frequency of staying in this property and if overbooked or near capacity is what helps.

Baghoarder

MOHK also offers it.