Eh, the rooms rack rate is $5500 a night, so it's still a steal. They probably use 2 housekeepers since I think it was like 2200 square feet or something.

It did have a full dining room, not sure about Butler service though. I opted to decline the upgrade.

Small data set two stays using regular check in. First was at a FFI where I had booked a studio suite, so nothing to upgrade me to. I did get the room I booked as expected.

Second was at an RI tonight. I booked a king studio and I hadn't been upgraded in advance. Upon my arrival, the Front Desk Associate unprompted upgraded me to a 2 bedroom suite. He noted I might not need it (one person business stay) but it is nice to have room to spread out. I do appreciate the gesture. As a side note, I have approx. 6 stays at this property over the last few months. I am sure that along with it being a one night stay factored into the upgrade.

For now, I am going to continue to use standard check in and get more data points. YMMV....

--Jon

Off topic but is there a place to find e-mail addresses for each property? I do this for properties where I stay regularly (and it does work from time to time) but if it is a new property for me it seems like you have to be a private detective to find an e-mail address.

I OLCI when I don't care about my room assignment or I think there's a chance that there will be a queue to check-in. I've had a couple airport hotels where OLCI definitely saved me 15-20 minutes because tons of people were waiting in line to check in the regular way.

Hilton's system is much better. You can look at your exact room offerings and then decide *not* to OLCI if you think you can get something better in person.

Third data point with regular check in. CY tonight and got the room category booked with a room fairly close to the elevator (I prefer far away from the elevator). Did get a high floor. Unclear, but probably no difference versus if I had used online check in.

--Jon

Fourth data point. Reserved a room mid-day today for a stay this evening. Used online check-in and received an upgrade to a junior suite at a FFI. Running total so far 1 Upgrade/1 Not Applicable booked highest category room/1 no upgrade for regular check in and 1 Upgrade for online check in. I had never been upgraded before at the property I am staying at tonight. So I wonder if making a mid-day reservation for the same day was the primary factor in getting the upgrade. In any case, nice to have a junior suite tonight.

--Jon

Marriott offers upgrades?

Last time I was offered an upgrade was like 4 years ago. "Offered"

I'd be leery calling that FFI room an true upgrade. Newer FFI's are built with a ton of these and are usually available in advance for an extra $10-15 online. I bet there are times where they have to be given away or to keep the guests clustered together for the sake of housekeeping. Last time I booked & paid for one but was told I was upgraded into it!

Not taking away your accomplishment but I'd be more interested in the batting averages at FS, REN, JW, RI's, etc.

joshua362 I am very familiar with limited service Marriott brands. Most of my stays are at them so that I am within my corporate expense guidelines. On the night in question, the property was virtually empty. This was a true upgrade. YMMV....

--Jon

I do not believe it matters at all, as I typically get an upgrade. I'm writing because I want to stress I rarely get upgraded in NYC when it involves a weekend. I haven't even been allowed to check in early. I just find this typical in NYC at the Marriott marquis.

Were you able to view the jr suite assignment in the app before you OLCI'ed? Or were you still showing "standard room" in the app and then got the jr suite after using the OLCI option?

Or am I the only one who starts looking at my room type a day or so prior to all of my Marriott stays? :o

Pinniped, I didn't get to check, so I don't know. This was a last minute booking mid-day for a stay beginning that evening.


--Jon

It can work both ways (at Hilton) - I have had a downgrade after NOT doing online checkin which showed a great room.

I did look after you mentioned it when I started the thread and it did say Central Park View King (which is an upgrade). I suppose I should have checked in then if I was happy with the room. I was hoping for some kind of suite but was told I had already been upgraded (meaning 1 class upgrade limit I guess) and then was given a 3rd floor room whose merits I already complained about upthread.

Here's an example of when actual check in comes in handy. Note, I had already been upgraded to a junior suite (which for most hotels would actually be a normal suite). Had already stayed at the property, checked out for 2 days to visit friends, came back. Did not do OLCI. FDC to me. Oh we have you upgraded to a junior suite (note, a contact had arranged it). Me (having stayed there many times & knowing there were better suites). That's so cool. BTW - today's my birthday (true). Do you by chance have even a better upgrade. Her, let me check. Yes we do. Let me give you (superior/Park view/whatever suite - which was huge). Happy birthday. I truly don't think I would have gotten the better suite if I hadn't chatted w/ FDC (and I would have chatted even if it wasn't my birthday). We also chatted about other things not pertaining to upgrades. I also would have been fine if I had only gotten the 'junior suite' (which at this property was pretty huge & not some normal lame jr. suite) & not complained.

Cheers.