On Upgrading with Family/Friends
Sep 10, 2003, 9:03 pm
#1
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On Upgrading with Family/Friends
I am pretty new to all of this and I don't even have status with any airline but I do with a couple of hotel chains. I did learn one thing about myself: getting upgraded with others is more important than getting upgraded by myself. I have spent countless nights in an upgraded better room/suite. Nice. I appreciate it. Most of the time it works, and when it doesn't I am bothered that my 'status' did not come through, yet, I don't really need a suite. It's just stroking my ego.
But when I am traveling with friends and family, they have heard the upgrade stories and now it's really important that something comes through. To me at this point, it really doesn't matter where I personally sit/sleep, I just want it to be good for everyone else and, in a way, impress them with my status to get a great room/seat (without paying for it.)
I think that's why some people really get irate when they are with some uninitiated friend/family member and then they don't get the benefit. Anyone share this sentiment? It was soooo much more fun when my non-traveling gf saw the room we got during the last trip.
- Michael
But when I am traveling with friends and family, they have heard the upgrade stories and now it's really important that something comes through. To me at this point, it really doesn't matter where I personally sit/sleep, I just want it to be good for everyone else and, in a way, impress them with my status to get a great room/seat (without paying for it.)
I think that's why some people really get irate when they are with some uninitiated friend/family member and then they don't get the benefit. Anyone share this sentiment? It was soooo much more fun when my non-traveling gf saw the room we got during the last trip.
- Michael
Sep 11, 2003, 12:06 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Houston, TX
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I never get irate if I don't get an upgrade, even when travelling with friends and family. Most of my F&F don't stay at better hotels so just staying at a higher end hotel is really a treat for them. Yes my family is well aware of some awesome upgrades I have received on the road with and without them but they certainly don't get upset or irate if an upgrade doesn't come through.
Sep 11, 2003, 2:48 am
#3
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by michaelr:
I just want it to be good for everyone else and, in a way, impress them with my status to get a great room/seat (without paying for it.)
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I just want it to be good for everyone else and, in a way, impress them with my status to get a great room/seat (without paying for it.)
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Upgrades are great but what you touch on here is exactely the problem that airlines/hotels have created.
People expect something for nothing - that's why a lot of airlines are in dire straits - no one ever paid the higher fares!
I think you should take the view that you get what you pay for - if you get upgraded, great, but don't expect it.
If you want to sit/sleep in a better cabin/room then either pay the price or give an airline/hotel a LOT of business.
Sep 11, 2003, 6:45 am
#4
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LondonElite:
I think you should take the view that you get what you pay for - if you get upgraded, great, but don't expect it.
If you want to sit/sleep in a better cabin/room then either pay the price or give an airline/hotel a LOT of business.</font>
I think you should take the view that you get what you pay for - if you get upgraded, great, but don't expect it.
If you want to sit/sleep in a better cabin/room then either pay the price or give an airline/hotel a LOT of business.</font>
wise words LondonElite
Sep 11, 2003, 8:35 am
#6
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,315
Of course the issue is about 'showing off' and if I read Michael correctly I completely agree, though I'd put it like this.
If I stay 75 nights with a certain hotel brand and that might get me just one upgrade a year, I'd much prefer that upgrade to come around when I was travelling with my wife. I could care less if I get a suite when I'm clocking up the status, getting in from some office somewhere at 9pm and heading out again at 8 the following morning, but I sure would appreciate one when I'm making a weekend stay and aren't on my own . . .
If I stay 75 nights with a certain hotel brand and that might get me just one upgrade a year, I'd much prefer that upgrade to come around when I was travelling with my wife. I could care less if I get a suite when I'm clocking up the status, getting in from some office somewhere at 9pm and heading out again at 8 the following morning, but I sure would appreciate one when I'm making a weekend stay and aren't on my own . . .
Sep 11, 2003, 10:26 am
#7
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I agree with both LondonElite and kiwibigdave -- upgrades are nice when you're on your own, but better when you're with your spouse and can really savor them.
I never feel cheated when I don't get a free upgrade, only pleased when I do. Besides, if I'm checking in at 9pm and leaving at 6am, what am I honestly going to do in a suite anyway? I'm still only going to fall asleep in front of Conan.
When in front of colleagues or friends, though, I do think a person looks more silly making a fuss about no upgrade than he looks powerful when he snares one. Life is too short...
I never feel cheated when I don't get a free upgrade, only pleased when I do. Besides, if I'm checking in at 9pm and leaving at 6am, what am I honestly going to do in a suite anyway? I'm still only going to fall asleep in front of Conan.
When in front of colleagues or friends, though, I do think a person looks more silly making a fuss about no upgrade than he looks powerful when he snares one. Life is too short...
Sep 12, 2003, 9:44 am
#8
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I still think that if You NEED a suite, Pay for it.. that way you can impress her/him with the suite, if you pay for it, maybe she will think you are a high roller big spender.
Like others have said, U/g are nice, i like them, they are better with others, however if I NEED one, I reserve one and pay for it
I keep going back to the story someone posted on FT where he had his entire family with him and was upset that he didn't get upgraded to a suite for 8 nights.
Yeah right, if you need one, pay for it, otherwise don't expect a hotel to give you one for free for 8 nights.. It really was quite a ridiculous expectation that person had of a frequent stay program
Like others have said, U/g are nice, i like them, they are better with others, however if I NEED one, I reserve one and pay for it
I keep going back to the story someone posted on FT where he had his entire family with him and was upset that he didn't get upgraded to a suite for 8 nights.
Yeah right, if you need one, pay for it, otherwise don't expect a hotel to give you one for free for 8 nights.. It really was quite a ridiculous expectation that person had of a frequent stay program
Sep 12, 2003, 6:35 pm
#9
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kiwibigdave:
Of course the issue is about 'showing off' and if I read Michael correctly I completely agree, though I'd put it like this.. . .I'd much prefer that upgrade to come around when I was travelling with my wife. . . .I sure would appreciate one when I'm making a weekend stay and aren't on my own(edited by DaDOK)
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Of course the issue is about 'showing off' and if I read Michael correctly I completely agree, though I'd put it like this.. . .I'd much prefer that upgrade to come around when I was travelling with my wife. . . .I sure would appreciate one when I'm making a weekend stay and aren't on my own(edited by DaDOK)
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seems rather . . . insecure.
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Da DOK
[This message has been edited by DaDOKin DC (edited 09-12-2003).]