Ritz Carlton Upgrades General Discussion Thread
Aug 18, 2018, 9:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Sunny Florida
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Ritz Carlton Upgrades General Discussion Thread
I am a lifetime Platinum Premier Elite member with Marriott and have been getting such conflicting information as to upgrades to club level at RC properties. I was upgraded without question recently at a city hotel but today had a horrible experience with a resort hotel--I was first told that based upon availability I would receive a club and/or suite upgrade but then upon check in (I was previously going to use a confirmed club upgrade from my RC Visa) was told that since they are a resort property, they only offer a one category upgrade based upon availability at the time of check in. Needless to say, I was very disappointed in the lack of consistent information.
Is there a set standard of what upgrades we are and are not entitled to @ RC properties--if it is a resort, does that change the benefit(s)?
Is there a set standard of what upgrades we are and are not entitled to @ RC properties--if it is a resort, does that change the benefit(s)?
Aug 19, 2018, 3:42 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG 100 Ambassador, LH M&M Senator, Skywards Silver
Posts: 250
Club level upgrades were always excluded, same goes for new program. In the old program suites were available for platinums, right now they're restricted only for plat premier.
So as far as the T&C are concerned you should be eligible for a suite but not for club access, rules are the same for resorts.
So as far as the T&C are concerned you should be eligible for a suite but not for club access, rules are the same for resorts.
Aug 19, 2018, 5:40 am
#3
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FWIW, the same rule applies to upgrades at RCs booked through FHR. You can get an upgrade if available (actually I've been upgraded to junior suites which would be more than the one category entitlement according to published benefits of the program), but you will not get comped lounge access. Virtuoso, etc. should operate the same way. One must pay (a lot) to use RC club lounges.
Sep 4, 2018, 12:10 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
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Ritz-Carlton Club Level upgrade
It's sad to say this but I have never stayed at the RC... but since Starwood and Marriott have merged, I booked a stay at RC Osaka. I'm just hearing about this Club level stuff and it seems you have to pay for a room with access to get it. Okay. I'm down for that. The problem is I don't see this option at all for a rewards booking. Will they give me the option to upgrade to the Club Level for monies during check-in or am I SOL?
Not that I think it makes any difference, but I have Marriott PPE with Ambassador in the updated program.
Not that I think it makes any difference, but I have Marriott PPE with Ambassador in the updated program.
Sep 4, 2018, 2:13 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Dubai
Programs: SPG 100 Ambassador, LH M&M Senator, Skywards Silver
Posts: 250
It's sad to say this but I have never stayed at the RC... but since Starwood and Marriott have merged, I booked a stay at RC Osaka. I'm just hearing about this Club level stuff and it seems you have to pay for a room with access to get it. Okay. I'm down for that. The problem is I don't see this option at all for a rewards booking. Will they give me the option to upgrade to the Club Level for monies during check-in or am I SOL?
Not that I think it makes any difference, but I have Marriott PPE with Ambassador in the updated program.
Not that I think it makes any difference, but I have Marriott PPE with Ambassador in the updated program.
Sep 4, 2018, 1:15 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 686
The only hotel I've seen with a Club upgrade available at the time of booking is for RC Orlando.
Sep 4, 2018, 5:04 pm
#7
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Posts: 100,373
HUH? Most RCs sell rooms on the club lounge floor(s) or rooms with lounge access as a separate room category. Unless all rooms in these categories are sold out, you can always book a room that includes the lounge. What sort of "upgrade" at the time of booking do you want?
Sep 4, 2018, 5:08 pm
#8
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HUH? Most RCs sell rooms on the club lounge floor(s) or rooms with lounge access as a separate room category. Unless all rooms in these categories are sold out, you can always book a room that includes the lounge. What sort of "upgrade" at the time of booking do you want?
I think one word was missing: "Award". As in seeing a club room available for an award reservation in the online tool.
Sep 4, 2018, 5:20 pm
#9
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Posts: 100,373
This would make sense. If the OP simply wants to pay more points for a club room, I would suggest calling Starriott as such award reservations always required talking to a phone agent in the SPG system.
Oct 3, 2018, 4:07 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 757
FWIW, the same rule applies to upgrades at RCs booked through FHR. You can get an upgrade if available (actually I've been upgraded to junior suites which would be more than the one category entitlement according to published benefits of the program), but you will not get comped lounge access. Virtuoso, etc. should operate the same way. One must pay (a lot) to use RC club lounges.
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
Oct 3, 2018, 4:11 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: SJC
Programs: AAdvantage 2MM+ Lifetime PLT; BA, CO, UA, US; SPG; HHonors Gold
Posts: 757
FWIW, the same rule applies to upgrades at RCs booked through FHR. You can get an upgrade if available (actually I've been upgraded to junior suites which would be more than the one category entitlement according to published benefits of the program), but you will not get comped lounge access. Virtuoso, etc. should operate the same way. One must pay (a lot) to use RC club lounges.
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
Oct 3, 2018, 5:00 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: OGG
Programs: AA Plat, A List Pref, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 356
Follow up questions.
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
Oct 3, 2018, 9:49 pm
#14
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,373
Follow up questions.
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
If I book an RC via a third party (in this case, not FHR) can I use my upgrade certs to get a Club level upgrade?
Or without an upgrade as a (combined program) Platinum Elite, can I get lounge access?
The Ritz prepaid online rate is the same but the third party deal bundles in parking & resort fees worth $105/night (gulp!)
1, I would assume not, but I don't do third party bookings other than FHR etc.
2. Absolutely not. If you want RC lounge access, you must pay (a lot) for the privilege, typically a $100-200 additional (per person and per day) in the room rates, presumably plus tax in most jurisdictions. Think of it as something like a full board option, drinks included.
2. Absolutely not. If you want RC lounge access, you must pay (a lot) for the privilege, typically a $100-200 additional (per person and per day) in the room rates, presumably plus tax in most jurisdictions. Think of it as something like a full board option, drinks included.
Oct 16, 2018, 3:55 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
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Ive searched the forum for a while and am tying myself up in knots!!
Is the RC program still separate or now fully part of the merged program?
Is breakfast at an RC part of the PPE welcome amenity that seems to vary by brand? The hotel Ive booked on points have offered it to me anyway along with an UG to a better suite which is kind of them. (I reached out to them asking about transfers and didnt ask for anything.)
Is the RC program still separate or now fully part of the merged program?
Is breakfast at an RC part of the PPE welcome amenity that seems to vary by brand? The hotel Ive booked on points have offered it to me anyway along with an UG to a better suite which is kind of them. (I reached out to them asking about transfers and didnt ask for anything.)