Starwood upgrade thread.

[burrco]

W Hotel Paris Opera
6 Night stay
Booked Spectacular Room (on the Z6H pay 4 get 6 plan)
Used SNA and upgraded to Marvellous Suite.

Although at just 32m2 most hotels would classify this is as a standard room!

Full breakfast and a free coughtail (via the suite). Also got the points - but assuming that was an error which will be rectified.

 

[yohy?!]

SOTP Sydney

booked City View king on prepaid rate, was told on arrival at 12pm could only have an enhanced room on higher floor if we waited till 3pm for normal checkin which was disappointing. Basically given worst room in the hotel - lowest floor next to boardrooms and right behind lift, lots of problems that needed fixing (TV sound, shower temp, iPod dock)

 

[boomy]

SOTP Sydney

booked City View king on prepaid rate, was told on arrival at 12pm could only have an enhanced room on higher floor if we waited till 3pm for normal checkin which was disappointing. Basically given worst room in the hotel - lowest floor next to boardrooms and right behind lift, lots of problems that needed fixing (TV sound, shower temp, iPod dock)

SOTP is very generous with suite upgrades (to platinum members) but many guests take advantage of the guaranteed 4pm checkout so it's usually recommended to check in as late as possible to increase the chance of upgrade.
Unless the hotel was full, it's disappointing they gave you such a bad room.

 

[MrJetset]

ANZAC weekend. Do the math. Hotel was full, you got the room you paid for and you were given early check in which is a benefit.

Checking in later does not increase your chances. The suites are blocked generally 48 hours prior.

 

[boomy]

Checking in later does not increase your chances. The suites are blocked generally 48 hours prior.

Standard suites are not blocked and can be allocated at check in. If arriving early and asking for a suite there is less chance to find an available one, that's my experience anyway.

 

[MrJetset]

Standard suites are not blocked and can be allocated at check in. If arriving early and asking for a suite there is less chance to find an available one, that's my experience anyway.

Executive Suites (which are the standard select suite at the property) are blocked. In fact SPG sends a list to SOTP every morning of which Platinums should be upgraded for the next few days. The hotel then makes their own decisions.

I have over 250 nights at the property since 1999 and am always upgraded 48 hours in advance to an Executive Suite or higher. The property only has 28 Executive Suites and a high number of Platinums who for all intents and purposes, are not equal.

 

[yohy?!]

ANZAC weekend. Do the math. Hotel was full, you got the room you paid for and you were given early check in which is a benefit.

Checking in later does not increase your chances. The suites are blocked generally 48 hours prior.

Thanks for the kind words - the hotel was not full as I booked the day before at a rate that is very low for Sydney CBD hotels.

I maintain the treatment was shabby and was consistent with the entire stay including other issues which were reported but not addressed, I will be raising it with the GM overall.

 

[dajop]

I maintain the treatment was shabby and was consistent with the entire stay including other issues which were reported but not addressed, I will be raising it with the GM overall.

In my experience booking the day before (particularly if later in day), or day of, arrival dramatically reduces chances of upgrade. Often upgrades are allocated either afternoon or overnight before arrival.

 

[MrJetset]

In my experience booking the day before (particularly if later in day), or day of, arrival dramatically reduces chances of upgrade.

Correct. All of the upgrades have been allocated and there is noone looking to upgrade you during that time other than, perhaps, front desk.

 

[boomy]

Executive Suites (which are the standard select suite at the property) are blocked. In fact SPG sends a list to SOTP every morning of which Platinums should be upgraded for the next few days. The hotel then makes their own decisions.

I have over 250 nights at the property since 1999 and am always upgraded 48 hours in advance to an Executive Suite or higher. The property only has 28 Executive Suites and a high number of Platinums who for all intents and purposes, are not equal.

You are lucky to always get upgrades 48 hours in advance. I'm also a regular guest and sometimes get an upgrade 48 hours, sometimes 24 hours, sometimes on the day and sometimes at check in. It all depends on availability.
Usually when I check in late (2pm-4pm) I have better chance to score Executive/Terrace suite for two reasons:
1. More likely to find a clean one ready.
2. The hotel reserves a few suites for last minute bookings and will release some later on the day.
Nothing is guaranteed off course but there are ways to increase your chances and it so far it works for me.

 

[drron]

Well I am one of the unequal plats.Have had the same number of downgrades as suites-one of each with the majority just getting the room booked.Hence why now I only stay if it is the cheapest SPG property-mainly this is when on a C&P rate.

 

[MrJetset]

You are lucky to always get upgrades 48 hours in advance. I'm also a regular guest and sometimes get an upgrade 48 hours, sometimes 24 hours, sometimes on the day and sometimes at check in. It all depends on availability.

That's not lucky. Lucky is one month in advance at the W HKG and W BCN. StR Princeville two weeks out before getting the Bali Hai suite within 24 hours.

 

[drron]

That's not lucky. Lucky is one month in advance at the W HKG and W BCN. StR Princeville two weeks out before getting the Bali Hai suite within 24 hours.

No lucky is your first day as a comped platinum getting the Royal suite at the Westin Palace Madrid when the next day was Spain day and we could watch from our balcony.

 

[Alanslegal]

Awwww I miss this thread & sorry I haven't been able to contribute in the last few years following my downgrade to a nothing status member. I look forward to participating soon once I qualify for Platinum again, will hit 50 nights this year, and someone mentioned not all platinums are created equal - that is so true. Luckily I will not be stealing any of your upgrades as I will be the weakest platinum member out there - all of my nights will be BRG stays That said, going to aim for LTP status, still 6 years off apparently but should qualify for LTG within 12 months I don't mind being a Platinum-super lite member because I have received some really really nice upgrades in my four years as a Platinum-super lite

 

[yohy?!]

Sheraton Melbourne has been great this week - upgraded from traditional to deluxe room with view of MCG. Signed card from GM and chocolate truffles left in room.

Looking forward to possible suite next week after Plat clears

 

[burrco]

I've never had much luck at the SOTP, never gotten a suite, but 100% of the time get an attempted upsell to one of the higher suites. Not really phased as I understand that they would have a lot of returning guests as well as a lot of DYWIA from a large landmass to the East waving the spg app around claiming availability.

In recent times I've noticed my bookings at Westin Melbourne are upgraded to a Deluxe room pretty much as soon as booked (even four or five weeks out) and then to a studio room 72 hours or so before the stay (when getting upgraded to a studio - certainly not 100%).

Excluding the US I would say normally around the three day mark my international bookings will show an upgraded room. Of course we know such pre-upgrades are not guaranteed - but I've only ever been further upgraded upwards at check in - never less than the pre upgraded room anyway. Of course having said that I'm sure for the rest of my stays I'll be downgraded

 

[Brisbane Flyer]

Just checked into the Le Meridien in KL, upgraded to a nice suite on the 15th floor overlooking the pool.
Renovations going on in the club lounge so people are being sent to the buffet on the 5th floor for breakfast and dinner.

The dinner was very good, wines were average and the service exceptional.

Room was only $110 per night, free upgrade and the buffet for is priced at $60 per person, needless to say, by far the best SPG value right now in Asia that I know of. Read about this imbalance in price and offering on FT and luckily have a few days to kill here playing golf before my meeting next week.

Cheers
BF

 

[BensAdventures]

Just checked into the Le Meridien in KL, upgraded to a nice suite on the 15th floor overlooking the pool.
Renovations going on in the club lounge so people are being sent to the buffet on the 5th floor for breakfast and dinner.

The dinner was very good, wines were average and the service exceptional.

Room was only $110 per night, free upgrade and the buffet for is priced at $60 per person, needless to say, by far the best SPG value right now in Asia that I know of. Read about this imbalance in price and offering on FT and luckily have a few days to kill here playing golf before my meeting next week.

Cheers
BF

Lucky you! I just left Le Meridien KL and no upgrade and I'm a platinum 75....but you're right, the breakfast is great!

Was upgraded earlier in the week to a Junior Suite at Royal Orchid Sheraton from their cheapest room (about $100 per night thanks to BRG).

 

[MrJetset]

This pricing is common for Asia. AFFers could benefit from SPG forums on FT.

 

[Isochronous]

Just checked into the Le Meridien in KL, upgraded to a nice suite on the 15th floor overlooking the pool.
Renovations going on in the club lounge so people are being sent to the buffet on the 5th floor for breakfast and dinner.

The dinner was very good, wines were average and the service exceptional.

Room was only $110 per night, free upgrade and the buffet for is priced at $60 per person, needless to say, by far the best SPG value right now in Asia that I know of. Read about this imbalance in price and offering on FT and luckily have a few days to kill here playing golf before my meeting next week.

Cheers
BF

I know where I'm staying when I do the AFF KUL-SIN lounge run.