Hotel Upgrades
Dec 16, 2012, 1:29 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Hotel Upgrades
This is something that's always on my mind, and I was just thinking about this earlier so bear with me guys.
Why do people put such a large emphasis on hotel upgrades and make a big deal of it? I understand airline upgrades, where the differences between economy and business class are day and night (seat versus bed, edible food vs nauseating tin foil, lounge access vs gate lice etc. etc.)
But almost every hotel and room type offers the same two basic features: a bed to sleep on, and a reasonable degree of security. Unless you're with family or friends or otherwise in a large group, I really don't see the difference between a standard room and a junior suite and a suite in practical terms. In fact, personally I'd rather prefer a room that's cozier (but not cramped) to a large empty room or suite. Maybe I'm just strange though.
So my question here is- what's the big deal with hotel upgrades? Is there just something I'm not getting, a matter of personal preference or something else?
:-:
Why do people put such a large emphasis on hotel upgrades and make a big deal of it? I understand airline upgrades, where the differences between economy and business class are day and night (seat versus bed, edible food vs nauseating tin foil, lounge access vs gate lice etc. etc.)
But almost every hotel and room type offers the same two basic features: a bed to sleep on, and a reasonable degree of security. Unless you're with family or friends or otherwise in a large group, I really don't see the difference between a standard room and a junior suite and a suite in practical terms. In fact, personally I'd rather prefer a room that's cozier (but not cramped) to a large empty room or suite. Maybe I'm just strange though.
So my question here is- what's the big deal with hotel upgrades? Is there just something I'm not getting, a matter of personal preference or something else?
:-:
Dec 16, 2012, 2:55 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 150
To a certain mindset (one in full evidence here on FT) the idea of getting something one did not pay for just overwhelms rational thought. That someone does not need the upgrade/suite, etc. doesn't enter the conversation. It's a game, it's a weird validation that "I won and you didn't," it's beating somebody else (other traveler or hotel, it matters not).
Dec 16, 2012, 3:27 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,209
To a certain mindset (one in full evidence here on FT) the idea of getting something one did not pay for just overwhelms rational thought. That someone does not need the upgrade/suite, etc. doesn't enter the conversation. It's a game, it's a weird validation that "I won and you didn't," it's beating somebody else (other traveler or hotel, it matters not).
Dec 16, 2012, 4:00 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: AMS
Programs: LH FTL, HH ♢, HGP P, Accor P
Posts: 840
To a certain mindset (one in full evidence here on FT) the idea of getting something one did not pay for just overwhelms rational thought. That someone does not need the upgrade/suite, etc. doesn't enter the conversation. It's a game, it's a weird validation that "I won and you didn't," it's beating somebody else (other traveler or hotel, it matters not).
FWIW. Of course it matters. (1) Space creates calmness to the mind. (2) Certain upgrades have lounge access with free drinks/breakfast/food attached, which on a week trip may save hundreds of euros/dollars/yens. (3) It's a confirmation of the -often only perceived- bond between frequent hotel guests and the hotel, a token of their appreciation.
It is disputable if an upgrade from King Standard to Twin Deluxe/higher is actually an upgrade, but that is OT.
Dec 16, 2012, 9:56 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 529
Hotel Upgrades
Sometimes it's location, a room facing a busy street or one facing a quiet park. A higher floor vs a lower floor. A renovated vs non-renovated room. A corner room vs one near the elevator. Sometimes you get free Internet or free breakfast (at places where breakfast is otherwise not free), but that's more tied into status. Like you I don't need a lot of space, but an upgrade from a standard room to 1 bedroom suite is great if you have guests coming over.
Dec 16, 2012, 10:05 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: DL-DM/1MM, HILTON-DIA, .HYATT-DIA/GLOB , IHG-PLT,HERTZ 5*, NATIONAL ES
Posts: 8,691
Sometimes it's location, a room facing a busy street or one facing a quiet park. A higher floor vs a lower floor. A renovated vs non-renovated room. A corner room vs one near the elevator. Sometimes you get free Internet or free breakfast (at places where breakfast is otherwise not free), but that's more tied into status. Like you I don't need a lot of space, but an upgrade from a standard room to 1 bedroom suite is great if you have guests coming over.
Dec 16, 2012, 7:44 pm
#9
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
The answer is..... it depends.
If all I am using the hotel room for is to come in, go to sleep, wake up, shower, change, and head out then I don't care if I'm upgraded or not.
If however I'm going to be working in the evening or staying a few days, then having a bit more room to spread out, or have a separate living area where you can relax without having to use the bed all the time, or even having a little kitchen can be really nice.
It's like saying the only purpose of a car is to be able to drive from point a to point b, so why doesn't everybody just rent the cheapest compact? For some people that's fine, but for some others, they want something a bit better.
Many hotels offer both kinds of rooms because there are people who are happy in the shoe box, and others who want the divided boot box.
If all I am using the hotel room for is to come in, go to sleep, wake up, shower, change, and head out then I don't care if I'm upgraded or not.
If however I'm going to be working in the evening or staying a few days, then having a bit more room to spread out, or have a separate living area where you can relax without having to use the bed all the time, or even having a little kitchen can be really nice.
It's like saying the only purpose of a car is to be able to drive from point a to point b, so why doesn't everybody just rent the cheapest compact? For some people that's fine, but for some others, they want something a bit better.
Many hotels offer both kinds of rooms because there are people who are happy in the shoe box, and others who want the divided boot box.
Dec 16, 2012, 8:39 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Northern Virginia
Programs: UA 1K, HGP Diamond, HH Diamond, MR Platinum
Posts: 300
Well, it's true that travelling solo one does not require a dining table for eight and seating for 12 more, along with several beds, multiple baths, and a service kitchen. Yet when that, or some lesser "excess" is bestowed, even as simple as an amenity from management, I take it as something to enjoy for the moment because it's nice. Not like beating someone or getting over to prove one's self worth.
Upgrades and perks are good; feeling entitled in these matters isn't good. Maybe my attitude is wrong and I should withdraw from FT...
Currently writing this post from a $69 Hyatt Place. That works too.
Upgrades and perks are good; feeling entitled in these matters isn't good. Maybe my attitude is wrong and I should withdraw from FT...
Currently writing this post from a $69 Hyatt Place. That works too.
Dec 17, 2012, 8:45 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 5,925
If it's an upgrade to a nicer view, modestly larger room, or a Club floor, I am happy to take it. (I like Club lounges for the free breakfast, and for access to a space where I can sit and do work in the evening without feeling like a lonely prisoner in my room.) However, an upgrade to a big suite actually bugs me. To me a suite just means more places where I can potentially put down my stuff and then forget about it when I check out!
Dec 17, 2012, 9:18 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, MR Gold, HH Gold
Posts: 926
Huge suites are usually quieter than smaller rooms because the uncontrolled little brats in the next room are farther away. That's the only reason I like upgrades.
Anything else, like lounge access or free internet is more tie to status, IME, so I don't count that as an upgrade benefit. If I get it in a suite, I'd get it in the prison cell room.
Anything else, like lounge access or free internet is more tie to status, IME, so I don't count that as an upgrade benefit. If I get it in a suite, I'd get it in the prison cell room.
Dec 17, 2012, 9:30 am
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
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Totally depends on the trip.
For vacations with family, I want max space in the hotel room - that's why a lot of those trips are done at Residence Inn or at a hotel where I think I have a very good chance (or can confirm with extra points) to get a suite. On those, I'm also highly likely to fly Y since (a) to date, they have not been truly long-long-haul and (b) the kids don't get anything out of J/F.
For solo work trips, I generally don't care much about either the hotel or airline upgrade - I just want efficient service and the "basics" of the elite status in play to work well. Good airport processes, fast security checkpoint, efficient boarding, irrops support if I need it. At the hotel, fast check-in/-out, good lounge, high floor or corner room...I'm happy. My airline statuses are all mid-/low-tier these days so I don't really have high expectations of upgrades there to begin with. (Although US has had a surprisingly good success rate for me this year.)
For trips with my wife, we like to upgrade the flight if we can (this is where I spend the miles or other upgrade instruments) and then stay in the best possible hotels where status provides breakfast and lounge access. More likely to spend extra points for a high-category hotel here, but getting a suite isn't really a determining factor with where we book. Rather stay in a Conrad or St. Regis type hotel, even if it's just a very good regular room.
For vacations with family, I want max space in the hotel room - that's why a lot of those trips are done at Residence Inn or at a hotel where I think I have a very good chance (or can confirm with extra points) to get a suite. On those, I'm also highly likely to fly Y since (a) to date, they have not been truly long-long-haul and (b) the kids don't get anything out of J/F.
For solo work trips, I generally don't care much about either the hotel or airline upgrade - I just want efficient service and the "basics" of the elite status in play to work well. Good airport processes, fast security checkpoint, efficient boarding, irrops support if I need it. At the hotel, fast check-in/-out, good lounge, high floor or corner room...I'm happy. My airline statuses are all mid-/low-tier these days so I don't really have high expectations of upgrades there to begin with. (Although US has had a surprisingly good success rate for me this year.)
For trips with my wife, we like to upgrade the flight if we can (this is where I spend the miles or other upgrade instruments) and then stay in the best possible hotels where status provides breakfast and lounge access. More likely to spend extra points for a high-category hotel here, but getting a suite isn't really a determining factor with where we book. Rather stay in a Conrad or St. Regis type hotel, even if it's just a very good regular room.
Dec 17, 2012, 9:59 am
#15
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 16,900
Often big easy chair with ottoman and a large workspace come along with the upgrade - makes my day. Lounge access is huge. They're often more recently renovated and on a higher floor or with a nicer view. Little things like toiletries are nice, but not essential.