romlevy

So when I select "apply suite night award to this stay" on the SPG website, it gives me the option of precisely which rooms I do or don't want to be upgraded to (and use up my awards for).

Obviously selecting more increases your chances, but selecting less gives the possibility to avoid using up your suite night award for what is just a "premium room" like you've experienced. For example I have a upcoming stay at a W where they give me the option of a Marvelous Suite, Fantastic Suite, or Fabulous Room. If I wanted to upgrade, I'd probably only click the first two, since I wouldn't want to use up an award for a fabulous room (that's just me).

Did you have the similar options for your stay or did they not give you any choice?


That being said, I have yet to actually try to use one, and indeed it seems incorrect that if a suite that you've requested as part of the suite award is showing available 5 days before your stay, you are not automatically getting it through your award.

JPCAG

Similar and in fact worse experience. My routine upgrades have gone to almost zero. Best I get now is a room on the club floor. I really believe that the suite upgrades program has made things worse. I used to get upgraded all the time and to really nice rooms. Last three reservations-not so. Plus I actually used the upgrade to book a room for my family-well the suites that were available just disappeared the day of our arrival. Not impressed. Just cancelled one reservation due to perceived hi-jinx.

mecabq

Good point. I don't remember seeing any options were when I requested the upgrade. The idea of having the list of possible options seems like a good idea, so I will be curious to see how it works in the future.

jspector

As #10 said, when you use suite night awards, you select which rooms you would be willing to use them for. So you can see which room types are eligible at that property, and indicate the ones you are interested in. Means you never need to waste them on fake upgrade rooms...

I've only selected the duplex suite for my upcoming trip haha

sjuhawk_jd

I wonder if lurkers are going to chime in and enlighten us about the "worthiness" of these somewhat "worthless" suite upgrade certificates.

spgplat21

I wasn't the OP who had the stay, but I checked the SR Osaka and the only upgrades they show are to deluxe rooms which are barely bigger than the standard rooms. So at least you can see from the beginning that it's a waste of an award to use it there.

I was worried they were "confirming" a suite award into a lower category room. I still don't like that they only allow deluxe rooms, but at least it's clear that's what they are doing.

cur

Your expectations are too high for Japan. Mine were. Westin Tokyo, club floor at best. Never a suite. Sheraton Miyako, no upgrade, but corner room. Huge room, actually. Even huge by American standards. Elsewhere in Asia like in South Korea, China, and Thailand, never an issue. Treated like a king. Even though I looked homeless.

I'm not disgruntled, it just is what it is. I wouldn't use a suite night on a Japanese room. Suites are super prestigious, I guess. And a normal room in Japan is fine for me, being that majority of the hotels there are old. It would be more special in Thailand, Bali, or a W in America.

MSPeconomist

I've been upgraded to a genuine one bedroom suite at the Westin Tokyo, IIRC on their club floor. This was a Plat upgrade based on a rate that wasn't cheap but wasn't their rack rate either. I was treated very very well, including having a choice of the club lounge breakfast or the huge buffet downstairs, including the warm white chocolate sauce for waffles and bacon..

hypermodern

I do understand that the system is the one assigning the upgrades. However, a day before my reservation, I got an email of "per your request, we cancelled your suite night awards" .. is this the email you receive when the system cannot provide you an upgrade?

I am asking this because it is a little bit misleading. I applied for SNA, I would accept if SNA cannot be granted. However, maybe the words could be better like "we cannot fulfill your request" instead of per your request, as I certainly did not request my SNA to be cancelled. Thanks!

Starwood Lurker

Yes.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

charder

if the system is assigning the upgrades why do I not get the requested suite upgrade at the sheraton towers frankfurt ariport despite availability?
Neither did I get a recline until now. Still 4 hours to go until deadline

charder

Solved by the ambassador

Flyinace2000

I have a reservation for the weekend at the Sheraton Lisbon (C&P). Applied 2 suite night awards a few weeks ago and just got the notice that i was declined due to availability. According to spg.com there are suites available! :-/ Let's see what happens at check in.

-Will

Starwood Lurker

The system draws its availability from what is identified as the select standard suite for a given property. There may be suites available for sale, but if they are specialty suites, the opportunity to use a Suite Night Award for those is left up to the property.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

[email protected]

charder

The suites offered when I choose to redeem a SNA are all selected standard suites right?
So if I choose one of these and see one at the same time available online, then it should be granted.

@Flyinace2000:
Is this the case for you


At least the Sheraton Frankfurt airport has disabled the automatic drawing, but this hotel is special anyway. As a plat. you'll never get anything higher then a club room if you do not insist which is really annoying everytime.