Is it required to request an upgrade?
 

I have been Platinum with MR for 3 years now and was wondering how upgrades work. In all of my stays, my normal upgrade has been to the concierge level, but recently I started to look at what rooms are currently available on Marriott.com and sent an email to customer service asking for that upgrade 2 days out. I have done that the past 4 stays and have been upgraded to junior suites or better every time. I even got a 2 bedroom at a RI with a studio reservation.

My question is, does Marriott expect you to call and only upgrade you if you ask? I thought it was the policy to upgrade Platinum members if the room is available like the airlines do, but my recent history is bringing that into question. It also seems like it would be easier for them if they gave the opportunity to make requests on-line, instead of bombarding them with requests for upgrades.

I guess I will ask every time from now on.

you do not need to request an upgrade - the rooms controllers look at guests status (among several other items) when blocking rooms

I don't have an answer for your question. Sorry. Have only been Gold for past 3.5 months.

Are you e-mailing Marriott customer service or the individual hotel? I haven't requested an upgrade before, but recently e-mailed the hotel to request one for my next stay next wk as it is a special event. I haven't had any response yet (it's been about 4 days or so since sending). Thanks for any info.

I never get upgraded at Marriotts outside the concierge level.

Well actually one time for a one night stay at the PHL airport Ren, and last weekend I was given an exec King at a Fairfield.

Marriott is pretty crappy about suites in my opinion, but I noticed a lot of the hotels including full service do not have suites listed in the available rooms, so either the properties do not have them, or they are sold out I guess.

Two things. Suites are not included in the upgrade benefit. There are no upgrades guaranteed at Residence Inn (or Towneplace):

You have been the beneficiary of the hotels in your recent stays going "above and beyond". Nothing wrong with that - but remember that the suite and RI upgrades you've received are not officially part of the program.

In general, if you call/fax/e-mail ahead and let the property know an upgrade is important, you're more likely to get it. Most properties want elite guests to be happy, even if that means going beyond what is required.

I find it hard to believe that an upgrade is important on every single stay for most travellers. Solo business travelers typcially need a bed and a place to work. I try not to disrupt the upgrade karma of the world by asking rarely and only when I'm really going to benefit from it.

I have never asked for an upgrade in advance but have asked for suite upgrades at certain Marriotts. My experience has been that Warsaw Marriott always provides a corner suite upgrade (even when I was Gold level), Kensington Marriott provides junior suite even though I never asked. Rome Park provides suite (but I stayed there almost every month). Other Marriotts only provide Concierge level.

Kensington Marriott denies me every single time. I'm kind of done staying there because their standard rooms aren't special.

I was there just last week and the agent again denied my request. She said, "We're somewhat booked up." Somewhat is awfully ambiguous for something between "I don't want to do it" and "We're sold out".

The last time I got an upgrade was a Fairfield Inn in Manhattan. They couldn't honor my king bed request so they gave me one of the two top-floor suites overlooking the ESB. Fantastic view and all and I very much appreciated it. All other Marriotts (full service or not) never give me anything but the concierge level.

-RM

I usually ask "did have a chance to upgrade my room?" upon check-in. I am amazed at the usual response of the desk clerk saying "oh, you want an upgrade? Let me check.". I find this happens the most at CYs.

In what universe would someone NOT want an upgrade. They always act so surprised.

+1
I don't need a suite upgrade when it is just me. I am perfectly happy with a CL room or a corner King and I don't want to take a suite away from someone who had a reason for requesting it. The reverse is true too...I would hate to lose a suite on my anniversary just because someone is a MR member and thinks they should always get one.:p

Remember, suite upgrades are not a part of the normal elite upgrade rules and most CYs tend to have normal rooms and suite rooms (some do have jacuzzi rooms though.) A normal upgrade at CY is probably to a quieter room away from the elevators. So there really isn't much of an upgrade option at most CYs.

Now with that said, I have had very good luck in getting suite upgrades at CYs, but I have to ask for them almost all the time (which shouldn't be surprising since they don't have to give one to me.)

Completely agree with this.

Since 90-95% of my travel is alone for business I am very happy in a standard room on the concierge level and this is typically what I get at Marriotts. Hyatt upgrades me to suites regularly, and it always feels excessive to me. I work long days and come back to the room to sleep -- absoultely no need for a suite.

But when my family travels with me - yes I absolutely request an upgrade and truly appreciate it in those cases.