May 6, 2014, 7:08 am
Last edit by: beltway
Please use this thread to post failures or difficulties in securing Platinum upgrades, based on the published benefits of the Platinum level, which are :
"Upgrades to best available room at check-in, including Standard Suites"
qualified by
"Subject to availability at check-in for the entire length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a pre-paid third-party channel.
Specialty Suites such as, but not limited to, premium view, Presidential, Honeymoon, and multiple bedroom suites are excluded. This benefit does not apply to all-suite hotels. Best rooms are identified by each property and may not include upgraded Towers level accommodations unless Towers level accommodations were booked originally.
The upgrade benefit is available for one room for the personal use of the Member only, regardless of the number of additional rooms purchased by the Member. This benefit is not offered at Aloft and Element properties"
For a detailed discussion of the Platinum upgrade benefit, see the wiki at I'm Platinum. Why didn't I get a complimentary suite upgrade? [Master thread].
Starwood do not publish which of the various categories of Suites at each hotel are 'Standard', and which are not, so we don't know which Suites are in the 'Upgrade Pool', and which are excluded. So, if a Suite is available under the terms and qualifications of the benefit, but an upgrade is denied, and it is not absolutely clear that the Suite in question is not a "Standard Suite", then we should report that as a failure.
If you only manage to secure a rightful upgrade after challenging the front desk on check-in, or have instances where SNAs (Suite Night Upgrade) were not honoured, then you may report this too.
You may also report instances where suites are showing as available online, but not actually available at the hotel, due to (apparent) differences in real-time availability online.
Please post in standard format :
Property :
Dates(s) :
Room booked :
Room received : (if different than above):
Award stay :: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay : (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested : (yes/no)
Comments :
...and include in the comments, particularly, the 'non-Standard' Suite category that you failed to secure an upgrade to.
"Upgrades to best available room at check-in, including Standard Suites"
qualified by
"Subject to availability at check-in for the entire length of the stay, provided the room was not booked through a pre-paid third-party channel.
Specialty Suites such as, but not limited to, premium view, Presidential, Honeymoon, and multiple bedroom suites are excluded. This benefit does not apply to all-suite hotels. Best rooms are identified by each property and may not include upgraded Towers level accommodations unless Towers level accommodations were booked originally.
The upgrade benefit is available for one room for the personal use of the Member only, regardless of the number of additional rooms purchased by the Member. This benefit is not offered at Aloft and Element properties"
For a detailed discussion of the Platinum upgrade benefit, see the wiki at I'm Platinum. Why didn't I get a complimentary suite upgrade? [Master thread].
Starwood do not publish which of the various categories of Suites at each hotel are 'Standard', and which are not, so we don't know which Suites are in the 'Upgrade Pool', and which are excluded. So, if a Suite is available under the terms and qualifications of the benefit, but an upgrade is denied, and it is not absolutely clear that the Suite in question is not a "Standard Suite", then we should report that as a failure.
If you only manage to secure a rightful upgrade after challenging the front desk on check-in, or have instances where SNAs (Suite Night Upgrade) were not honoured, then you may report this too.
You may also report instances where suites are showing as available online, but not actually available at the hotel, due to (apparent) differences in real-time availability online.
Please post in standard format :
Property :
Dates(s) :
Room booked :
Room received : (if different than above):
Award stay :: (yes/no), type (C+P, FAN, FWN, FRN, SPG50, etc.)
BRG stay : (yes/no)
SNA(s) requested : (yes/no)
Comments :
...and include in the comments, particularly, the 'non-Standard' Suite category that you failed to secure an upgrade to.
Post Your Platinum Upgrade Failures [2013 - onward]
Feb 5, 2013, 8:24 am
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ PPS, OZ Gold, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 174
Property: Le Meridien Cyberport Hong Kong
Dates: Jan 26 - Jan 27 (1 night)
Room booked: Smart room
Room received Smart room (on a higher floor)
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Not happy with the stay. Front desk claimed that a higher floor room is already the best room available. I highly doubted.
Dates: Jan 26 - Jan 27 (1 night)
Room booked: Smart room
Room received Smart room (on a higher floor)
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Not happy with the stay. Front desk claimed that a higher floor room is already the best room available. I highly doubted.
Feb 5, 2013, 8:27 am
#32
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ PPS, OZ Gold, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 174
Property: Sheraton Grande Taipei
Dates: Feb 2 - Feb 3 (1 nights)
Room booked: Superior Room
Room received Deluxe room
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Checked in at around 11 a.m. Asked Front Desk whether a suite upgrade is possible. Front Desk replied that only one Junior Suite is available but currently occupied by another platinum member until 4p.m.. She asked whether I prefer to wait until 5 p.m. to get the suite while get allocated a standard room in between and switched afterwards but I declined.
Dates: Feb 2 - Feb 3 (1 nights)
Room booked: Superior Room
Room received Deluxe room
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Checked in at around 11 a.m. Asked Front Desk whether a suite upgrade is possible. Front Desk replied that only one Junior Suite is available but currently occupied by another platinum member until 4p.m.. She asked whether I prefer to wait until 5 p.m. to get the suite while get allocated a standard room in between and switched afterwards but I declined.
Feb 5, 2013, 8:45 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,789
But are you Plat? It says Gold on your profile.
Feb 5, 2013, 10:11 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
Property: Sheraton New Delhi
Date(s): 2 Feb - 5 Feb
Room booked: Executive Club Non-smoking
Room received: Executive Club Smoking
Award stay: No
BRG stay: No
Comments: Management claims it was a non-smoking room, but you can still smell the cigarette smoke in the room. The room was also located in the worst possible spot of the hotel. I'll follow up on the property thread when I have time.
Date(s): 2 Feb - 5 Feb
Room booked: Executive Club Non-smoking
Room received: Executive Club Smoking
Award stay: No
BRG stay: No
Comments: Management claims it was a non-smoking room, but you can still smell the cigarette smoke in the room. The room was also located in the worst possible spot of the hotel. I'll follow up on the property thread when I have time.
Feb 5, 2013, 11:44 am
#35
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
Property: Sheraton Grande Taipei
Dates: Feb 2 - Feb 3 (1 nights)
Room booked: Superior Room
Room received Deluxe room
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Checked in at around 11 a.m. Asked Front Desk whether a suite upgrade is possible. Front Desk replied that only one Junior Suite is available but currently occupied by another platinum member until 4p.m.. She asked whether I prefer to wait until 5 p.m. to get the suite while get allocated a standard room in between and switched afterwards but I declined.
Dates: Feb 2 - Feb 3 (1 nights)
Room booked: Superior Room
Room received Deluxe room
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) Yes
Comments: Checked in at around 11 a.m. Asked Front Desk whether a suite upgrade is possible. Front Desk replied that only one Junior Suite is available but currently occupied by another platinum member until 4p.m.. She asked whether I prefer to wait until 5 p.m. to get the suite while get allocated a standard room in between and switched afterwards but I declined.
Feb 5, 2013, 7:12 pm
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Delta - Gold; Starwood - Platinum; HHonors - Diamond & Avis Preferred
Posts: 10,869
Exactly. Consider you're upgraded to best available at check in. I would say the agent when above.
Feb 5, 2013, 10:21 pm
#37
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: SQ PPS, OZ Gold, Marriott Titanium & lifetime Platinum, IHG Diamond
Posts: 174
Feb 6, 2013, 1:52 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,483
Feb 6, 2013, 7:16 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
If you declined, then it is not a failure on the part of the hotel or SPG. Sometimes, Plats check out late from their suites. I did in Doha. 4PM check-out is a platinum benefit, so if the guest before you has opted to take that benefit, then you will either be waiting or spending the night in some other room.
Feb 15, 2013, 8:53 am
#40
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: have lived in Asia since 1997
Programs: HH G, Dusit Gold, MR G, Le Club Platinum, & wife is SPG P
Posts: 4
Property: Westin Bangkok
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Feb 15, 2013, 9:04 am
#41
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Guadalajara, Jalisco
Programs: SPG Platinum
Posts: 414
Property: Westin Bangkok
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Feb 15, 2013, 9:21 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,687
Property: Westin Bangkok
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Dates: Jan 7-8
Room booked: cheapest prepaid rate -30% off
Room received Suite
Award stay: No
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: Check in at Club lounge, nice suite and good service,
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Rai
Dates: two 1 night stays in January 2013
Room booked: Deluxe Garden view
Room receivedGrand deluxe river view on highest floor
Award stay: points and cash
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: free Breakfast for everyone in group
Property: Le Meridien Chiang Mai
Dates: two one nights stays in Jan 2013
Room booked: Deluxe room
Room received first stay, Club executive room, second stay Corner suite
Award stay: Yes cash and points
BRG stay: (yes/no) ?
Comments: good value, good location
Feb 15, 2013, 10:41 am
#43
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: europe
Programs: EX˛-*wood platinum, EX-hyatt diamond, sixt platinum, hilton silver, leaders club, esselunga verde...
Posts: 2,048
No presidential suite was given, so failures...
or someone has posted in the wrong thread...
or someone has posted in the wrong thread...
Feb 15, 2013, 4:52 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: OZ LT D+, UA 1K, AS MVPG AF Gold, SPG Platinum (8 years), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold, Marriot Gold
Posts: 463
Indeed, since the 50+/75+ plat introduced, my upgrade success is quite dropped.. 
Property: Le Meridien Kuala Kumpur
Dates(s): Jan (twice)
Room booked: cheapest room (superior?)
Room received (if different than above): 1st stay: club, 2nd stay club suite after long arguing about suite availability
Award stay: no, normal rate (red hot deal)
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: free full buffet breakfast at the restaurant
Property: Sheraton Zurich
Dates(s): Jan
Room booked: cheapest room (single room)
Room received (if different than above): executive room (they had suite, but didn't give me.. )
Award stay: no, normal rate
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: free full buffet breakfast at the restaurant
Property: the Nines, Portland
Dates(s): Feb
Room booked: cheapest room (superior)
Room received (if different than above): deluxe room with club access (they had suite, but didn't give me.. )
Award stay: no, normal rate (amex FHR)
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Property: W seattle
Dates(s): Feb
Room booked: cheapest room (wonderful)
Room received (if different than above): fabulous room
Award stay: no, normal rate
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: plat amenity - continental breakfast ($17/person, tax/gratuity included)
Property: Le Meridien Kuala Kumpur
Dates(s): Jan (twice)
Room booked: cheapest room (superior?)
Room received (if different than above): 1st stay: club, 2nd stay club suite after long arguing about suite availability
Award stay: no, normal rate (red hot deal)
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: free full buffet breakfast at the restaurant
Property: Sheraton Zurich
Dates(s): Jan
Room booked: cheapest room (single room)
Room received (if different than above): executive room (they had suite, but didn't give me.. )
Award stay: no, normal rate
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: free full buffet breakfast at the restaurant
Property: the Nines, Portland
Dates(s): Feb
Room booked: cheapest room (superior)
Room received (if different than above): deluxe room with club access (they had suite, but didn't give me.. )
Award stay: no, normal rate (amex FHR)
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Property: W seattle
Dates(s): Feb
Room booked: cheapest room (wonderful)
Room received (if different than above): fabulous room
Award stay: no, normal rate
BRG stay: no
SNA(s) requested: no
Comments: plat amenity - continental breakfast ($17/person, tax/gratuity included)
Feb 15, 2013, 11:07 pm
#45
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
I've asked the mods to consolidate the two threads and delete the OP for this thread. Despite attempting to segregate successes from failures, it would appear that success and failure are highly subjective components. Sometimes upgrades are given, but the upgrade does not result in a suite. Additionally, I will start charting this weekend, and will come back w/ something by week's end.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Last edited by uxb; Feb 15, 2013 at 11:15 pm