Best Hotel Program for free suite upgrades
Apr 27, 2013 | 2:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 61
Best Hotel Program for free suite upgrades
I am trying to decide where to concentrate my hotel spending this year.
I have Priority Gold, SPG Gold, accor platinum, gold carlson and thanks to amex 5 nights to fairmont platinum.
If my interest is not free nights (since this is almost all business travel), but rather to get the most number of free upgrades to suites, which program would be the best?
I have Priority Gold, SPG Gold, accor platinum, gold carlson and thanks to amex 5 nights to fairmont platinum.
If my interest is not free nights (since this is almost all business travel), but rather to get the most number of free upgrades to suites, which program would be the best?
Apr 27, 2013 | 4:09 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Location: CLE/EWR
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, UA MM 1k, Marriott LTT
Posts: 482
Best Hotel Program for free suite upgrades
Not so fast.....again, what are your travel patterns? What's your status with PC? I find PC/Ambassador to be the most generous when it comes to suites, especially if you're staying at ICs (this was even before I was an RA). But I also frequented the same properties. YMMV.
Apr 27, 2013 | 5:20 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AA EXP (2.5MM), Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 4,857
Apr 28, 2013 | 9:47 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO, SIN, PVG
Programs: UA, AA, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 303
First, Intercontinental royal ambassador will give you guaranteed two - grade upgrade. You need to stay enough nights to get invited or find someone refer you.
Second, I recommend Marriott. Although there is no guaranteed suite upgrade, as a platinum member, 60% of my stay get upgraded. The worst is SPG, there are too many platinum there, only 20% of my stay get upgraded. Marriott do not promise but they do deliver.
Second, I recommend Marriott. Although there is no guaranteed suite upgrade, as a platinum member, 60% of my stay get upgraded. The worst is SPG, there are too many platinum there, only 20% of my stay get upgraded. Marriott do not promise but they do deliver.
Apr 28, 2013 | 11:51 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 182
As Silver Club Carlson, I was upgraded to better rooms, normally suites, most of the time in the U.S. I hear that's less likely overseas, though. I've just hit Gold, and hope this continues. YMMV.
Also, it's worth bearing in mind is that, even though Hyatt rarely upgrades to suites due to status, it does make it very cheap in terms of points, and the points aren't hard to come by thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards. Worth considering.
Also, it's worth bearing in mind is that, even though Hyatt rarely upgrades to suites due to status, it does make it very cheap in terms of points, and the points aren't hard to come by thanks to Chase Ultimate Rewards. Worth considering.
Apr 28, 2013 | 3:18 pm
#13
In Memoriam
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
The best programs for CONFIRMED suite upgrades are Hyatt Diamond and Fairmont Platinum. Both programs are great for confirming a suite when it really matters to you, but youll not get enough upgrade certs to cover all of your stays.
SPG recently introduced confirmed suite upgrades, but T&C are more restrictive.
Langham Hotels also offers confirmed suite upgrades, but the number of properties is quite limited.
To the best of my knowledge there are no other (major) loyalty programs that offer confirmed upgrades, other status levels such as SPG Platinum and IC RA will often get you a suite based on availability at check-in, but its definitely not guaranteed and often very most depends on the particular property.
SPG recently introduced confirmed suite upgrades, but T&C are more restrictive.
Langham Hotels also offers confirmed suite upgrades, but the number of properties is quite limited.
To the best of my knowledge there are no other (major) loyalty programs that offer confirmed upgrades, other status levels such as SPG Platinum and IC RA will often get you a suite based on availability at check-in, but its definitely not guaranteed and often very most depends on the particular property.
Apr 28, 2013 | 5:07 pm
#14
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
As a matter of personal experience, I find that SPG Platinum suite upgrades occur at a very high rate (including all upgrades, even those obtained only after being politely persistent at check-in or after the day of arrival). I am aware that this is not the experience of many SPG Platinum members who post on FT and can only suppose that the difference is due to my travel patterns. I seldom travel in North America and do my best to avoid peak travel periods. It seems that peoples success rates with SPG Platinum vary widely.
Apr 28, 2013 | 5:53 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: WAS/NYC/LON
Programs: AA EXP, HH DIA, Hyatt DIA
Posts: 290
There may not be many Hyatts at the places you stay in Europe, but in my opinion, the 4/year confirmable upgrades (7 nights) and 6,000 points paid upgrades (4 nights) are the best options for confirmed upgrades at booking.