Ritz Upgrade Experiences - Pre-Aug, 2018 Merger
May 15, 2015, 10:41 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: AGS, CAE, ATL
Programs: Delta PM 2MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 511
You will not get an upgrade to a club level room on FHR, or any other rate. RC, thankfully, very tightly controls access to the club (which is how they keep it from looking like an overcrowded airport lounge). If you want RC club level you're going to have to pay for it. Even this Platinum Premier doesn't get upgrades to the Club Level. 
May 15, 2015, 11:27 am
#47
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
May 15, 2015, 5:28 pm
#48
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
May 15, 2015, 10:46 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
Thank you all for the opinion. End up with option 2!
May 16, 2015, 5:33 am
#50
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,040
May 16, 2015, 7:55 am
#51
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
FHR at RC Tysons is something we use often. We love the place. A note about the FHR breakfast at that place.... The hotel has closed the only property owned restaurant that served breakfast. Now breakfast is served at American Eat-owned by a celebrity chef. Some packages including breakfast allow you to eat there-but not FHR! You have to take room service. Not nearly as good of a value. Especially when you have a couple of rooms.
Jun 4, 2015, 6:24 am
#52
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 72
I didn't want to start a new thread so I thought if ask here. I'm looking to stay at the Ritz in DC on 22nd st. I was wondering if I should book through FHR or Ritz? I have a club level upgrade cert, ad I used the z38 code to check prices. It seems that the price is $439 with the z38 code so I can use the upgrade cert, but it's onky $419 for club level direct thought Ritz. Am I missing something here? Or is this just how ridiculous the ritz is? Thanks in advance.
Jun 4, 2015, 7:29 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
I didn't want to start a new thread so I thought if ask here. I'm looking to stay at the Ritz in DC on 22nd st. I was wondering if I should book through FHR or Ritz? I have a club level upgrade cert, ad I used the z38 code to check prices. It seems that the price is $439 with the z38 code so I can use the upgrade cert, but it's onky $419 for club level direct thought Ritz. Am I missing something here? Or is this just how ridiculous the ritz is? Thanks in advance.
The sample I found had lowest available at 269, the premier at 299, club level at 419, z38 at 349.
I also looked at FHR and that's where it gets really interesting: there are only 2 room types here but fhr offers 3 rates at 269, 299, ... and 349. 349 is the one right under club level, but has the same description as the 269 room.
While TommyC80 says you can't get upgrade to club level, I've read anecdotes of getting the room at least upgraded to club level (not lounge access) if you book the next rate down.
if the ideal value is like what I saw where 269 is the lowest available rate for any room which is what you should get, I would call to book the room through ritz and apply the upgrade and they should match the lowest available standard rate.
If they don't and you are seeing the rates that I saw on FHR I would call the number on the FHR website and ask which rates are eligible for compllimentary upgrades and the difference between the 349 and 269.
If either way you can't get less than 349, I'd just FHR it, since there are much better situations I would be able use those certs for.
Jun 4, 2015, 9:49 am
#54
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 72
I looked at a sample date that matches your trip, Something seems off about that hotels reservation system, but I'm not seeing the same numbers you got entirely.
The sample I found had lowest available at 269, the premier at 299, club level at 419, z38 at 349.
I also looked at FHR and that's where it gets really interesting: there are only 2 room types here but fhr offers 3 rates at 269, 299, ... and 349. 349 is the one right under club level, but has the same description as the 269 room.
While TommyC80 says you can't get upgrade to club level, I've read anecdotes of getting the room at least upgraded to club level (not lounge access) if you book the next rate down.
if the ideal value is like what I saw where 269 is the lowest available rate for any room which is what you should get, I would call to book the room through ritz and apply the upgrade and they should match the lowest available standard rate.
If they don't and you are seeing the rates that I saw on FHR I would call the number on the FHR website and ask which rates are eligible for compllimentary upgrades and the difference between the 349 and 269.
If either way you can't get less than 349, I'd just FHR it, since there are much better situations I would be able use those certs for.
The sample I found had lowest available at 269, the premier at 299, club level at 419, z38 at 349.
I also looked at FHR and that's where it gets really interesting: there are only 2 room types here but fhr offers 3 rates at 269, 299, ... and 349. 349 is the one right under club level, but has the same description as the 269 room.
While TommyC80 says you can't get upgrade to club level, I've read anecdotes of getting the room at least upgraded to club level (not lounge access) if you book the next rate down.
if the ideal value is like what I saw where 269 is the lowest available rate for any room which is what you should get, I would call to book the room through ritz and apply the upgrade and they should match the lowest available standard rate.
If they don't and you are seeing the rates that I saw on FHR I would call the number on the FHR website and ask which rates are eligible for compllimentary upgrades and the difference between the 349 and 269.
If either way you can't get less than 349, I'd just FHR it, since there are much better situations I would be able use those certs for.
I will try to call Ritz and apply the cert, they are expiring in August, and honestly I don't have any other plans to stay at a Ritz anytime soon which is why I wanted to use one of them. I still have my free night cert also from the RC Card, but I'm not sure if a club cert can be also applied ontop of the free night cert.
Either way, I'll let you know how it goes, thank you again!
Jun 4, 2015, 10:04 am
#55
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 72
Nevermind, after a loooong hold they gave me the $269 rate and applied the cert. Thanks again for your help TReckoner!!
Last edited by mtrsprt56; Jun 4, 2015 at 10:12 am
Jun 4, 2015, 10:22 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 72
Found the answer to my own question.
Last edited by mtrsprt56; Jun 4, 2015 at 10:40 am
Jun 4, 2015, 11:07 am
#57
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
Jun 4, 2015, 3:25 pm
#59
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: Ritz-Carlton Gold, Hyatt Plat, AAdvantage Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 135
As far as I know, the terms are being enforced which state the $100 credit is conditional upon completion of a 2 night stay, I believe you can do the club level upgrade without the $100 credit, but I'd recommend you clarify that with reservations ahead of time since I think it is a separate rate reservation than the 2+ night club level upgrade redemption. There is a $100 credit for FHR too.
Jun 4, 2015, 5:09 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 72
As far as I know, the terms are being enforced which state the $100 credit is conditional upon completion of a 2 night stay, I believe you can do the club level upgrade without the $100 credit, but I'd recommend you clarify that with reservations ahead of time since I think it is a separate rate reservation than the 2+ night club level upgrade redemption. There is a $100 credit for FHR too.