I always book the lowest rate, usually AAA, and usually get an upgrade to CL or at least free breakfasts on weekends. While I don't call ahead, I do ask at check in if an upgrade is possible.

If you look at your resevation online on the day of arrival, you will see if the room allocation fairy has given you an upgrade.

Most times that is then what you get at check in, although at times, I've had a further upgrade allocated manually when I arrived.

An example at Chancery Court last week where on the day of arrival, the website said I had a clubroon floor, but on checking in, I was allocated a suite with the printed club room number crossed out and written over in pen on the registration card.

An email 48 hours before arrival may help the initial room allocation, and then it's down to charm and luck to see if you can get more at check-in.

I didn't cotton onto this till late last year... wow, I do feel thick. But yes indeed, a room upgrade usually shows on your reservation online, so check that in the morning and you'll know whether you have to turn on the charm upon arrival...

Sometimes you see it way in advance as well, my best is 4 months in advance for JW Phuket but often in the weeks leading up to it I see the upgrade

I checked my MR reservations list and for today's check in see no mention of any upgrade on it ... maybe I'm looking in the wrong place? Guess I'll have to turn on the charm.