tell me about the horns ....... What part of Whitcha are you working in?... The new CY/RI wouldn't let me use anytime points and the rate was sold out and than a month before it was wide open and 129 a night

really? I used anytime points (22,500/night) for that Friday night and stayed in the CY portion. I also made the reservation the Monday or Tuesday before.

And I'm a contractor for Koch Industries. Big surprise if you know much about Wichita, I'm sure :)

Makes sense. In order to upgrade you for the one night they only need to find an unsold room for that night; if you're staying longer, to upgrade you they'd have to block a room into future nights, when it may or may not otherwise be (or have remained) unsold.

I've had really good luck with upgrades to suites at Marriott and Renaissance properties on weekends, particularly if the properties usually service business travelers rather than tourists. Same principle, I would think.

On the other hand, with resorts the high occupancy days seem to be Saturday and Sunday with people checking in and checking out, while the low occupancy would probably be mid-week after the room-shuffle dance had been completed.

Interesting the different experiences we each have. :) For me, at least at FS Marriotts, I have had my biggest (suite) upgrades when traveling with the family and usually on reward stays. Normally, those stays are longer than one or two nights. (And BTW, this is when I would most want one as there are more people in the room.)

At CYs I'm not sure I have ever been upgraded automatically. But I have been fairly succesful getting a suite room because I always ask for a room upgrade. Actually, I don't ask for an upgrade first. I just ask if they have any suite rooms available and then if they do ask for the upgrade.

This is ONLY happening at (many) properties outside of North America. At North American Hiltons, Golds and Diamonds are guaranteed an upgrade to Executive Floor (if available) OR Executive Floor Lounge access (if the hotel has a Lounge). If there is no lounge, then a complimentary continental breakfast is guaranteed (and often this is upgraded, such as a full hot buffet at the NY Millenium).