Best use of Suite Night Upgrades?

[Zanzaid]

It's a bit of a vague thread but still think it might be useful to gather ideas and thoughts.

A few of us have probably hit or about to hit Platinum for the first time, including myself, and therefore receiving our first 2 SNUs. This is a cool perk and i'm excited to treat my partner and I somewhere. However...we generally stay on the lower end of the brands and from the hotels i've looked at with suites, the extra cost to pay for the higher room (before SNU) is a fair bit higher than our usual budget, to say the least haha.

We are off to Japan next year, which has an option in Osaka and Tokyo, both look lovely. Though Japan is likely to be more of a go-go holiday than one being at the hotel, so i'm concerned this cost is a bit overkill, though i totally understand that considering the usual prices in the cities. Besides that, maybe a trip to Melbourne at least, which has a couple, or another trip to Asia somewhere.

Otherwise, just curious to hear what suites others have liked, anywhere, or which ones they felt were good value for their SNU. At least while we debate what we might like to use them on!

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks for the thread. Been thinking the same things.

 

[jase05]

I do find the better quality properties are better but we nearly always get upgraded to a suite outside of Australia automatically as a Diamond but some hotels in Australia are a bit hit or miss so I use my SNU’s on those. Sofitel Melbourne is one such hotel that upgrades are usually only a level or two better and around half the time we get a suite so I use my SNU upgrade there and that’s a saving of $500-600 as a rule

 

[Zanzaid]

I do find the better quality properties are better but we nearly always get upgraded to a suite outside of Australia automatically as a Diamond but some hotels in Australia are a bit hit or miss so I use my SNU’s on those. Sofitel Melbourne is one such hotel that upgrades are usually only a level or two better and around half the time we get a suite so I use my SNU upgrade there and that’s a saving of $500-600 as a rule

Yeah an interesting point that. Even when i was in Japan earlier this year as a Silver +, i was being upgraded at 3/4 accor hotels i stayed at, the 4th not having anything higher. So going in as plat would be pretty nice i imagine. Sofitel Melbourne did look quite good too!

 

[jase05]

Yeah an interesting point that. Even when i was in Japan earlier this year as a Silver +, i was being upgraded at 3/4 accor hotels i stayed at, the 4th not having anything higher. So going in as plat would be pretty nice i imagine. Sofitel Melbourne did look quite good too!

I definitely find Australian properties more hit and miss than other places we visit.
Adelaide Sofitel we always get a suite but I suspect that’s partly because we stay there up to 20 times per year and the staff know us. Melbourne Sofitel we always get upgrades but I reckon only 50% of time to a suite even as a Diamond. We often have 6 or 7 SNU’s left towards the end of the year and then just book a room somewhere just to blow them rather than let them expire

 

[samh004]

I was looking at the SNU's at the Sofitel Darling Harbour about a month or two ago. Could get the Junior suite about $750 and the Prestige Suite $850 but the Bellerive Suite was about $1200/night when I was looking, and I was very tempted. I couldn't quite workout if it was above the lounge or below though... and ultimately, I was going for a concert at night, and I feel if I had that suite, I'd want to actually invite friends over to use it at night. But to me, it seemed great value. YMMV.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Slightly off topic, but is it possible to use SNUs and pay with points?

 

[jase05]

Slightly off topic, but is it possible to use SNUs and pay with points?

No

 

[Infrequent traveller]

No

I have a nicer experience so perhaps it depends on the property. In early November, I was able to pay with points on 2 nights using my SNU coupons at The Park Lane Hong Kong. So I guess no harm to call the property and check.

 

[Zanzaid]

When i was looking at the other day, it didn't appear to let me use points with 2 SNU, but maybe it does vary between hotels.

 

[Infrequent traveller]

When i was looking at the other day, it didn't appear to let me use points with 2 SNU, but maybe it does vary between hotels.

Sorry, I should have added that I paid at the hotel with points, not online

 

[Zanzaid]

Sorry, I should have added that I paid at the hotel with points, not online

Ah! That might be the trick. Good to know though

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Great thread topic.

Are there any ideas on how to get much value out of an SNU for a family of 4?

There are a couple of properties in Japan, but that's about it.

 

[Cutty]

Has anyone used the SNU at the Sofitel Fiji? I’m trying to work out if I can make a booking for a Family Room and use the SNU for 2 of the nights in the planned 8 night stay.

 

[jase05]

Great thread topic.

Are there any ideas on how to get much value out of an SNU for a family of 4?

There are a couple of properties in Japan, but that's about it.

The ME is usually not too bad and perhaps Thailand or other SEA countries might have something

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

The ME is usually not too bad and perhaps Thailand or other SEA countries might have something

Thanks. I'll take another look.

 

[SnowGoose]

Great thread. It got me wondering, has anyone had instances where they've been upgraded on top of the SNU?

 

[aikman]

Great thread. It got me wondering, has anyone had instances where they've been upgraded on top of the SNU?

Yes. Got upgraded from a Junior Suite to a Prestige Suite. I've only used 1 SNU so a 100% strike rate.

 

[Daver6]

Great thread. It got me wondering, has anyone had instances where they've been upgraded on top of the SNU?

I've had experiences where I've booked say, 3 SNUs and a second booking for a fourth night in a base room and been able to keep the suite the entire stay. Does that count?