Upgrade Question from Newbie
 

I just achieved gold at Marriott, and will probably achieve Plat in the next few weeks. Most of my stays are at CY. What types of upgrades would typically be granted? The only rooms I believe they offer are standard, spa, and suite...

Also, what is the freq of receiving them?

The reason i ask is that I was in a spa room last night at its regular rate as they were out of standard rooms, then had to check out today and back in tonight into a standard room to get the standard corporate rate....

Thanks

I can count on my hands the number of times I have been upgraded at a CY and I am a 3 year going Plat. But then again, I am forced to book government or VIP rates so at those discounts, I am lucky just to get a broom closet in the eyes of marriott.......I just did a 12 day stay at CY and had to beg like crazy for a room with a balcony........

Thanks - you'd think that since all my nights were at the same CY they'd treat me better instead of bouncing me from room to room... oh well....

I'm surprised they made you check out/in again, unless they had a ressie for this week & later. Not your fault a standard room wasn't available.

If you're staying at the same CY property all the time, I'd chat w/ the GM or front desk supervisor & nicely point out that you're there a lot & are Premium & are there any bones, er, bennies, they could do for you.

Haven't stayed at a CY in years, so no idea how much can be done.

Cheers.

Not much in the way of upgrades at Courtyards, because there really are so few rooms that differ from the norm. I have gotten suite rooms before, and on occasion a "spa" room, but I would say that I probably get upgraded at CYs about 1 out of every 10 stays, if that.

I look at it like this - earn at CY, burn at nice places. The great thing about being plat is that when you book reward travel, you probably won't be staying at CYs, but will still be eligible for an upgrade. Always nice to arrive to a suite room in a fancy city.

Upgrades at CY's are tough because they rarely have anything to upgrade you TO - they only have a few suites (which are often booked by a paying guest). I have been upgraded a few times, but certainly never count on it. I suppose the spa room could be considered an upgrade.....but quite honestly, I am not certain I would even notice! An upgrade to me would be a free breakfast for at least a day or so of my stay. (but this is also rare)

I think the bigger issue here is the check in/check out thing - especially if you are staying at this CY repeatedly. They didn't upgrade you; they didn't have the basic room you booked available! I have never been asked to move once I was in a room; and it would be totally unacceptable to me. As SkiAdcock said, I would nicely ask for a GM, let them know about the situation and your repeat biz; and see what happens. If nothing does, I would suggest looking at other Marriott properties nearby.

I have very rarely been automatically upgraded to a suite room at a CY. But I have had very good luck at getting a suite room by asking when I check in. I will usually check the online tool just before I check-in to see if they are showing any suite availability. If there are some listed, I seem to have had a good chance at receiving one.

I have had 3 stays this year at two different CYs both in the Auburn Hills area of MI. My stays were about 5 nights for each, and I was upgraded to a suite room for all 3 stays. ^

Over the years I have been upgraded to a suite 3 or 4 times at CY's. I generally do get my preferred location with a regular room (high floor away from elevator and vending). While that is not an upgrade, it is still nice that they pay attention to my preferences like they are supposed to at most properties.

For your stay, I agree with the other posters, my biggest gripe would be the forced room change. If they have to upgrade you at check in due to lack of your reserved room type, you should be allowed to keep that room for the duration of your stay. Re-reading your message, it isn't clear whether you had one reservation or two consecutive reservations at the hotel with different room types. If it was the latter, I can understand why they had to move you. Even so, I would have asked at check in, if they could have downgraded you the first night to the room type you had booked for the remainder of your stay. E.g. give someone else a free upgrade for the night so you wouldn't have to move during your stay.

--Jon

I agree with those who mentioned that you should get preferential treatment if you stay at one CY property on a consistent basis. While CYs do not have as much to offer in the way of upgrades, you could ask them to comp you to breakfast and give you more leeway regarding room changes and potential upgrades.

Frequent guests to a particular property represent good business for a hotel. You should not be afraid to point that out to the GM of the CY.

As others have suggested, CYs often don't have any upgrade options, but there ARE other things they could do. You might talk with the manager and explain that you've already spent so many nights this year and plan for so many more and see if he can offer a discount, free nights, or whatever.

Agreed with all stated about CYs...the most I have gotten is a spa room "with hot tub in bedroom" and only when I have been a long term resident..in and out each week over the course of many months.

I have only once been upgraded to a suite this year (out of 13 CY stays thus far) but I am happy with a blacony room. Something I have noticed is that if you mention that you would like the balcony to smoke on (even if you dont smoke), you are MUCH more likely to get it. Just food for though.

I did not realize you could smoke on the balcony.