A LoyaltyLobby reader sent us a question about Hilton Diamond member suite upgrades and if you should book a standard or higher category room to have a better chance of one.
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Here’s the question:
I have a question regarding Hilton stays. I’m a Diamond member and for getting upgraded to a suite, should I book for mid-tier room or just standard room
Such a short but complicated question.
Honors Elite Benefits Matrix:
Diamond Benefits
Based on the reader’s name, I assume they live in Asia.
Upgrades are always based on availability. If you absolutely do need a suite, I would advise you to book one or to negotiate a paid upgrade. The Hilton program doesn’t guarantee a one or two-category upgrade from the booked room type.
Hilton introduced Global Automated Upgrades last year (we have covered them several times), and the stay is likely to be upgraded before anyone at the property even looks at it.
The upgraded room type or suite depends on what room/suite types the property has assigned to them. For example, sometimes the automated upgrade is to an executive room but is during an overnight shift before the stay upgraded to a suite.
If the upgrade has not occurred before checking in, you should always look at what inventory the hotel is selling for the entire duration of your stay. It doesn’t hurt to negotiate with the front desk about complimentary upgrades.
Luxury resort hotels, think of Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, and the likes, usually have upgrade pricing available, especially if you have used points to book. Sometimes the rates can be reasonable, while other times not. These luxury properties also tend to have a higher percentage of suites available than your average hotel.
You should let the hotel know in advance if you celebrate a special occasion like a birthday.
There is a chat option in the app for some of the hotels that allows you to text the hotel before your stay begins. I am not sure how many days in advance this opens up.
It doesn’t hurt to get a business card from a hotel manager and let them know when you are coming back.
The best upgrades tend to go for repeat guests.
Conclusion
Getting good upgrades at hotels is often complicated.
Many programs promise their elite members complimentary upgrades to up to standard suites for the duration of their stay, but this execution is left to individual hotels.
Hilton’s Global Automated Upgrades try to automate the upgrade and ensure that the upgraded rooms and suites go to the top-tier members of the program.
I tend to return to hotels that consistently upgrade me to a suite, like where I am typing this from, and not to return to those that don’t. I book the standard room and hope for the best that works most of the time.
