Which hotel chain offers best chances of upgrades?
Jul 15, 2000, 12:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY (The City So Nice They Named It Twice!)
Posts: 7
Which hotel chain offers best chances of upgrades?
Hello fellow FlyerTalkers!
I have been transfered to assistant budget director of my company, so in one month I will begin extensive hotel traveling. Since I'll be traveling to different company sites, I will be staying at hotels three to five nights a week (same hotel each week).
I guess this will force me now to take hotel programs seriously. Since I'll be staying in so many hotels, upgrading is the most important factor in choosing a chain. I usually give awards away, so I don't care about award redemption.
What chains upgrade you the most as a top-tier elite? Also, which chains recognizes top-tier elites the best (ie better service and treatment)?
I can make top-tier in three chains, I'd guess, but I want to choose wisely. I must decide soon since I'll start booking stays in the next week.
(edited for typo)
[This message has been edited by New Yorker (edited 07-15-2000).]
I have been transfered to assistant budget director of my company, so in one month I will begin extensive hotel traveling. Since I'll be traveling to different company sites, I will be staying at hotels three to five nights a week (same hotel each week).
I guess this will force me now to take hotel programs seriously. Since I'll be staying in so many hotels, upgrading is the most important factor in choosing a chain. I usually give awards away, so I don't care about award redemption.
What chains upgrade you the most as a top-tier elite? Also, which chains recognizes top-tier elites the best (ie better service and treatment)?
I can make top-tier in three chains, I'd guess, but I want to choose wisely. I must decide soon since I'll start booking stays in the next week.
(edited for typo)
[This message has been edited by New Yorker (edited 07-15-2000).]
Jul 15, 2000, 3:14 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Memphis, TN-SPG Platinum, HY Diamond, HH Gold, NW Platinum, AA Platinum, AVIS Preferred Select.
Posts: 445
Starwood,Starwood,Starwood......I love the upgrades.....suites about 95% of the time at all Starwood hotels and the treatment is great..I am happy so Starwood is my vote!
Jul 15, 2000, 7:29 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Smoke filled room, TPA and FLL/MIA :UAL 1K and 2MM,AA EX PLAT and 2MM,Lifetime Plat Starwood
Posts: 4,318
The real answer is to where you travel. I'm gold with Holiday,Hilton,Starwood etc. The truth is that Starwood is great, Hilton is good, Holiday can't spell upgrade. HOWEVER, if you travel to the county like I do there aren't Starwoods except larger cities. Hilton is a little better as they have hampton. Holiday is everywhere. The real answer is you must look at the cities you travel to and see which chain is in all (or at least most) of them. What good is it to be Starwood elite if there is no hotel to stay in!
Jul 15, 2000, 8:20 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: New York, NY (The City So Nice They Named It Twice!)
Posts: 7
Luckily, all my travel is to large, metropolitan, urban areas. So any hotel chain will do, as I don't travel to suburban areas at all (where you are a hard pressed to find an Intercontinental and like!)
Jul 15, 2000, 8:21 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Seattle
Programs: Ephesians 4:31-32
Posts: 10,690
We used to be Marriott (Gold) and concluded that unless you were Platinum, it was so difficult to get a room that you'd probably never be Platinum. Everything we wanted was always overbooked. 
This year we decided to try Hilton and will become Diamond at the FAQ. As Gold we are almost always upgraded and are given lounge privileges on those rare occasions when we can't be upgraded. I am hoping that we will get even better service when we are Diamond.
I must admit, though, from what I have seen of other FT's upgraded rooms at Starwood properties, that they are much classier than Hilton. They are not, however, always available in some of the more "charming" locations I am required to visit so we'll probably stick with Hilton unless they make a U-turn on us.
[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 07-15-2000).]
This year we decided to try Hilton and will become Diamond at the FAQ. As Gold we are almost always upgraded and are given lounge privileges on those rare occasions when we can't be upgraded. I am hoping that we will get even better service when we are Diamond.
I must admit, though, from what I have seen of other FT's upgraded rooms at Starwood properties, that they are much classier than Hilton. They are not, however, always available in some of the more "charming" locations I am required to visit so we'll probably stick with Hilton unless they make a U-turn on us.
[This message has been edited by Punki (edited 07-15-2000).]
Jul 15, 2000, 10:17 pm
#9
In Memoriam
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA USA
Posts: 638
New Yorker,
I would recommend Hyatt. Judging from the Hyatt board, Diamonds are treated very well with respect to upgrades and amenities. I'm only platinum but I almost always get rooms on high floors and occaisionaly a free breakfast or an upgrade to a business plan room.
I would recommend Hyatt. Judging from the Hyatt board, Diamonds are treated very well with respect to upgrades and amenities. I'm only platinum but I almost always get rooms on high floors and occaisionaly a free breakfast or an upgrade to a business plan room.
Jul 16, 2000, 11:00 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Eugene, Oregon
Programs: NW Platinum, Hilton Silver, 3 stays from Starwood Platinum!
Posts: 771
Starwood.
Hyatt doesn't have a lot of properties in the Pacific Northwest, Hilton you have to pay a certain qualifying rate for miles (I know, it doesn't matter), and Holiday Inn is in a whole different catagory. People don't go to HI to get upgraded. I have also noticed that Hyatt caters to MEN from my personal experience. So if you're a man, that is in your favor.
Top tier in THREE programs? I would go Starwood, Marriott, and depending on your budget and travel destinations...Hilton or Hyatt.
Hyatt doesn't have a lot of properties in the Pacific Northwest, Hilton you have to pay a certain qualifying rate for miles (I know, it doesn't matter), and Holiday Inn is in a whole different catagory. People don't go to HI to get upgraded. I have also noticed that Hyatt caters to MEN from my personal experience. So if you're a man, that is in your favor.
Top tier in THREE programs? I would go Starwood, Marriott, and depending on your budget and travel destinations...Hilton or Hyatt.
Jul 16, 2000, 1:45 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, FL--DL Platinum, etc.
Posts: 16
My first post; I apologize for the length, as brevity has never been a strong point of mine...
I travel frequently, and I spend roughly half of a year's nights in hotels (scary, I know!). So I have lots of experience in the hotel programs. For me, elite status and recognition is all I care about, with "point value" and ease of getting awards an extremely minor point.
Here's a (not-so) brief rundown:
Intercontinental is my favorite hotel program. You don't get points to free stays, but rather recognition and benefits. Each stay counts towards the two elite levels (Executive and Ambassador, which can be earned through nights or money spent). I am an Executive level member (30 nights or $15K), and find myself very well treated. Upgrades to the executive level are a minimum, and upgrades to suites are not so unexpected. Generally an assistant manager will escort me to my room, and if I have any problems, they are taken up on the spot by the general manager or manager on duty. I never have to fight for an amentity, and there are some great indulgent benefits (things I would never pay for, but since they are free, why not) like an inroom movie. My favorite benefit is early check-in, which is priceless after a long red-eye flight. The basic level costs $100 to join and $35 to renew, but it can pay itself easily with a free weekend night cert, inroom movie, late check-out, newspaper, water and fruit, etc. The Ambassador level (50 nights or $25K) doesn't seem to have many extra benefits over Executive. Guaranteed room with 24 hour notice, free mini-bar, and another free weekend night cert. Recognition might be better, but I think it is great already (as entry level and Executive). There aren't many IC's, but if they are where you are, I highly recommend them!
Believe it or not, Hilton is another one of my favorites, but this is due to a very good contact I have with Hilton. He takes good care of me, ensuring upgrades and alerting the hotel staff to treat me well. If I ever have a problem with HHonors, he will deal with that department for me and resolve any issue. I don't know how the average Diamond is treated, but I am treated very well!
Hyatt is another great program. They recently changed their award structure, but I don't care about awards anyway. You never have to fight for your benefits--upgrades and welcome gift especially. They usually give you a card at check-in and you can choose what you want as your welcome amentity.
Starwood is an excellent program as well. The customer service at SPG is excellent, but, unfortunately, sometimes the hotels don't live up to expectations. I am usually upgraded, occasionally but increasingly rarely to a suite (though it is not required by the rules).
Marriott Gold is only mid-tier, but I am treated pretty well. I rarely have trouble getting an executive level room, and when I can't, I usually have access to the lounges. Occasionally a suite upgrade. The qualification is a bit higher than competitors, though, so take this into account.
All IMHO!!
I travel frequently, and I spend roughly half of a year's nights in hotels (scary, I know!). So I have lots of experience in the hotel programs. For me, elite status and recognition is all I care about, with "point value" and ease of getting awards an extremely minor point.
Here's a (not-so) brief rundown:
Intercontinental is my favorite hotel program. You don't get points to free stays, but rather recognition and benefits. Each stay counts towards the two elite levels (Executive and Ambassador, which can be earned through nights or money spent). I am an Executive level member (30 nights or $15K), and find myself very well treated. Upgrades to the executive level are a minimum, and upgrades to suites are not so unexpected. Generally an assistant manager will escort me to my room, and if I have any problems, they are taken up on the spot by the general manager or manager on duty. I never have to fight for an amentity, and there are some great indulgent benefits (things I would never pay for, but since they are free, why not) like an inroom movie. My favorite benefit is early check-in, which is priceless after a long red-eye flight. The basic level costs $100 to join and $35 to renew, but it can pay itself easily with a free weekend night cert, inroom movie, late check-out, newspaper, water and fruit, etc. The Ambassador level (50 nights or $25K) doesn't seem to have many extra benefits over Executive. Guaranteed room with 24 hour notice, free mini-bar, and another free weekend night cert. Recognition might be better, but I think it is great already (as entry level and Executive). There aren't many IC's, but if they are where you are, I highly recommend them!
Believe it or not, Hilton is another one of my favorites, but this is due to a very good contact I have with Hilton. He takes good care of me, ensuring upgrades and alerting the hotel staff to treat me well. If I ever have a problem with HHonors, he will deal with that department for me and resolve any issue. I don't know how the average Diamond is treated, but I am treated very well!
Hyatt is another great program. They recently changed their award structure, but I don't care about awards anyway. You never have to fight for your benefits--upgrades and welcome gift especially. They usually give you a card at check-in and you can choose what you want as your welcome amentity.
Starwood is an excellent program as well. The customer service at SPG is excellent, but, unfortunately, sometimes the hotels don't live up to expectations. I am usually upgraded, occasionally but increasingly rarely to a suite (though it is not required by the rules).
Marriott Gold is only mid-tier, but I am treated pretty well. I rarely have trouble getting an executive level room, and when I can't, I usually have access to the lounges. Occasionally a suite upgrade. The qualification is a bit higher than competitors, though, so take this into account.
All IMHO!!
Jul 16, 2000, 4:20 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Manhattan, NY
Programs: USAir AA Hilton
Posts: 3,567
As hilton gold, I would say the experiences by Rubin and Punki are highly unusual. I've 20 nights so far this year and the only upgrades I've received are to an "executive floor" that isn't the same "executive floor" where the lounge is, and is nothing special at all! When you ask, 'can I get upgraded?" the typical response is "we've put you in a very nice room". My response is that I assume they're ALL 'very nice rooms' or I wouldn't be staying there, but can I get upgraded? And then I get told no.
Hiltons are VERY spotty in terms of their quality - but that's more in the suburbs.. if they don't have an exec floor or tower or either a resort, I'd be wary...
I'm only Marriott silver and that's worth Jack.
Good luck.
Hiltons are VERY spotty in terms of their quality - but that's more in the suburbs.. if they don't have an exec floor or tower or either a resort, I'd be wary...
I'm only Marriott silver and that's worth Jack.
Good luck.