8 strategies for securing a complimentary hotel room upgrade

Whether you're on a business trip or a vacation, getting a free upgrade can significantly enhance your experience. This is a major benefit of hotel elite status, but you don't need to be a frequent traveler to have a chance at a better room.

Sadly, these upgrades depend on availability, and hotels might hesitate to offer them if they still have the potential to sell the room to a paying guest.

In this article, we'll explore tactics to help you secure that desirable suite or enhanced room. We'll concentrate on the upgrades available to you, considering your elite status or identifying travel programs (like American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts or the Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection) that may improve or hinder your upgrade opportunities.

These suggestions won't help you charm a front desk clerk into giving you an upgrade that you don’t deserve. Instead, we’ll emphasize the importance of understanding the guidelines for securing the best upgrade available to you.

Now that we’ve clarified that, how can you enhance your chances of landing the upgrade you’re entitled to?

Understand what constitutes an upgrade

The crucial first step is to recognize what an upgrade truly means and what it doesn’t.

However, perceptions of upgrades can vary. Does your upgrade involve a room that’s farther from the elevator? Maybe you're aiming to switch from a lower floor to a higher one. Alternatively, lower floor rooms might have a desirable fire pit like at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, making a first-floor room more appealing for you.

If you were seeking a higher-floor room at this location, you'd actually be experiencing a downgrade if you booked a room on the first floor. The key takeaway is that the definition of an "upgrade" can vary widely. When checking in, it's best to know precisely what type of upgrade you desire.

To explore available options, browse the app as if you were making another booking (commonly referred to as a dummy booking) at the hotel. This is one of the most effective ways to see which room types might be available.

That said, just because a room appears available on the app doesn’t guarantee it’s eligible for an upgrade due to hotel policies and elite status limitations. Nevertheless, if you want to view other room options before checking in, this is an excellent starting point.

Hold hotel elite status

Having status is likely the best way to ensure an upgrade awaits you at check-in.

While there's no way to fully guarantee a free upgrade just by having status, it's among the most dependable methods. However, it's important to understand the details of your status tier before arriving at the hotel if you're hoping for an upgrade.

It can be tough to accept, but regardless of how much you wish for it, you're unlikely to receive an upgrade at the St. Regis Maldives with just Marriott Silver Elite status.

Here’s a brief overview of some key hotel loyalty programs. Keep in mind that all upgrades are subject to availability unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Hilton Honors

• Silver: No upgrades.
• Gold: Upgrade to a preferred room (up to Executive Floor room types) based on availability at most brands, including Waldorf-Astoria, Conrad, Curio, Hilton, and Doubletree.
• Diamond: Offers the same published benefits as Gold members, but also includes junior, standard, or one-bedroom suites (as per the program's terms and conditions). However, it's important to note that the fine print states "may include," meaning suite upgrades aren't guaranteed, even if they are available.

IHG Rewards

• Silver Elite: No upgrades.
• Gold Elite: No upgrades.
• Platinum Elite: Free room upgrades, excluding suites.
• Diamond Elite: Same benefits as Platinum members.

Marriott Bonvoy

• Silver Elite: No upgrades.
• Gold Elite: Upgrades to enhanced rooms based on availability at check-in, excluding suites.
• Platinum Elite: Upgrades to enhanced rooms at check-in, including suites (except at Ritz-Carlton locations).
• Titanium Elite: Offers the same benefits as Platinum Elite members, but includes Ritz-Carlton properties.

World of Hyatt

• Discoverist: Preferred room within the booked category.
• Explorist: Upgrade to the best available room at check-in, excluding suites and rooms with lounge access (not applicable to Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Residence Club, and MGM resorts).
• Globalist: Upgrade to the best available room at check-in, including standard suites (excluding Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Residence Club, and MGM resorts).

Utilize your upgrade certificates

Many prominent hotel loyalty programs provide elite members with upgrade certificates upon achieving elite status or after a certain number of nights stayed. Specifically, IHG, Marriott, and Hyatt grant upgrade certificates to their elite members, although the value of these varies among programs.

Marriott Suite Night Awards

Marriott allows Platinum Elite and Titanium Elite members to choose five Suite Night Awards (SNA) as a benefit upon qualifying for their status. Each SNA is valid for one night of your stay, meaning a three-night stay would require three SNAs.

Unfortunately, these certificates do not guarantee an upgrade at the time of booking. Instead, Marriott strives to confirm upgrades starting five days prior to your arrival. If the upgrade isn’t confirmed by 2 p.m. local time the day before your arrival, the SNAs will be credited back to your account.

The TPG team has experienced varied success using SNAs for upgrades at top-tier properties, especially during peak times. Generally, you’ll find the most success securing these upgrades in less frequented destinations, on off-peak dates, or at larger hotels that offer multiple suite choices.

Hyatt upgrade certificates

In addition, Hyatt provides Club Lounge Access Awards and Suite Upgrade Awards upon reaching specific night thresholds each year.

Club upgrades are the less thrilling option of the two. By redeeming one of these certificates, you gain access to the hotel's club lounge, typically available at Hyatt Regency, Grand Hyatt, and certain Park Hyatt locations.

You will receive two club upgrades after staying 20 nights or accumulating 35,000 base points ($7,000 in spending), and another two after 30 nights or 50,000 points ($10,000 in spending). It's important to note that Globalist elites can access hotel clubs without needing a certificate. These awards are applicable for stays of up to seven nights booked with cash or points, but not for free night certificates.

For those looking for an upgrade, Suite Upgrade Awards are available. Each certificate guarantees a confirmed suite upgrade for a stay of up to seven nights. According to the terms and conditions, these upgrade certificates will grant you a standard suite.

You will receive two suite upgrades after achieving 50 elite-qualifying nights or accumulating 80,000 base points ($16,000 in spending). Another two will be granted at 60 nights or 100,000 base points ($20,000 in spending). Following that, you can earn an additional Suite Upgrade Award for every 10 nights you stay at Hyatt properties, up to a maximum of 100 nights. Similar to Club Access Awards, these upgrades apply only to paid stays with cash or points, not free night certificates.

IHG upgrade certificates

Earlier this year, IHG revamped its loyalty program with the introduction of IHG One Rewards. This overhaul included Milestone Rewards that can be earned upon reaching specific night thresholds. At the 40- and 70-night milestones, you can choose confirmable suite night upgrades as your reward.

Currently, these upgrades can only be applied to eligible paid rates, although IHG's terms indicate that free nights will be applicable in the future. These certificates allow for an upgrade to an entry-level suite on stays of up to five nights and can be utilized within 14 days of arrival. Confirmable suite nights are valid across all IHG brands except avid hotels, Atwell Suites, IHG Army Hotels, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, IHG Residences, Mr & Mrs Smith, and InterContinental Alliance Resorts.

You should be able to confirm your upgrade when you call to use your certificate, but be aware that it may be denied if no suites are available during your travel dates.

Accelerating elite status through credit cards

At first glance, achieving hotel elite status might seem challenging, but qualifying is much simpler than it appears.

Almost all major loyalty programs mentioned earlier provide automatic elite status with cobranded hotel credit cards, making it worthwhile to apply for one before booking your next hotel stay.

For instance, the Marriott Bonvoy cobranded credit cards offer various levels of elite status:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Platinum Elite status.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card: Gold Elite status.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Credit Card: Gold Elite status.
• Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card: Gold Elite status.
• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: Silver Elite status.
• Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card: Silver Elite status.

The details for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful card have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Hilton Honors similarly grants elite status through cobranded credit cards, extending all the way to its premier Diamond status.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: Diamond status.
• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Gold status.
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card: Gold status.
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: Silver status.

The information for the Hilton Aspire American Express card has been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Even better, both The Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provide Marriott Gold Elite and Hilton Gold status as long as the card remains active and in good standing.

Loyalists of World of Hyatt and IHG One Rewards are also in luck. Both hotel brands offer cobranded Chase credit cards, including:

• World of Hyatt Credit Card: Discoverist status, along with the chance to earn elite night credits.
• World of Hyatt Business Credit Card: Discoverist status for up to five employees, plus the ability to earn elite night credits.
• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Silver Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Platinum Elite status.
• IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card: Platinum Elite status.

Review your upcoming travel plans to determine if applying for one of these credit cards is beneficial before your trip. For instance, having a Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card may grant you complimentary breakfast at select hotels due to its Platinum Elite status, potentially saving you a significant amount at luxury properties.

Traveling during the offseason

This can be challenging, as upgrades are scarce during peak travel seasons, and hotels have a limited number of upgraded rooms. During high-demand periods, there will likely be more elite members at a property along with guests who have paid for upgraded rooms.

Generally, upgrades are distributed based on status level, meaning a Hilton Gold elite member is unlikely to receive an upgrade at the Conrad New York City Downtown during the winter holidays. However, during a quieter week in October, that same guest might have a better chance of securing an upgrade, as this is typically a less busy travel period for New York.

While planning a beach getaway in winter may not be feasible in all areas, targeting a shoulder season for your beach trip after school resumes could enhance your chances for upgrades. However, from May to August, you might find it difficult to secure substantial upgrades at popular hotels.

Book using Amex or Chase, but be aware of one drawback

Certain American Express cardholders can enjoy benefits from Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and the Hotel Collection. FHR stands out as the more advantageous program, offering room upgrades based on availability, late checkout, and various on-site perks. Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can take advantage of these benefits when booking via Amex Travel.

Chase's Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection (LHRC) provides similar perks, such as upgrades subject to availability and complimentary breakfast. Access to the LHRC is available through several cards, including most United cobranded cards and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. For additional details, refer to our comprehensive guide to the program.

Nonetheless, there are drawbacks to utilizing these programs. Typically, you won't earn points, receive elite night credits, or enjoy your hotel elite status benefits when booking through Amex or Chase's hotel programs or via other online travel agencies like Hotels.com.

Given this, you might consider using FHR, Hotel Collection, or LHRC for hotel bookings that aren’t tied to a loyalty program.

Be prepared to ask (politely) for what you want

Inquiring at check-in is a straightforward yet highly effective method to secure a complimentary upgrade. Typically, hotels upgrade reservations based on status prior to arrival, but sometimes these upgrades can be overlooked for various reasons.

During my stay at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island, I found that Marriott Titanium Elite status typically doesn't guarantee upgrades at that location. When I asked about an upgrade during check-in, I was informed that the property rarely offers elite members upgraded accommodations.

However, I had done my research and knew that the room I desired was on the first floor, which is usually less popular. The front desk agent rechecked and managed to place me in my preferred room, even though it wasn’t a conventional upgrade. I ended up enjoying a night in a fire pit room, which was a lovely upgrade for me.

At times, the hotel's system might have mistakenly skipped your upgrade, even if rooms are open. If you notice a superior room listed online, it’s always worth politely asking if you can be moved to that room based on your elite status.

Finding the right approach can be challenging, but if you arrive well-informed about what an upgrade means for you, you could potentially secure a better room. While it may be tricky to avoid seeming entitled, it’s also crucial to leverage the benefits you’ve earned through your elite status.

Stay adaptable

Frequently, upgraded rooms may not be available at check-in because they are booked for part of your stay. However, this shouldn't discourage you.

When checking in, inform the agent that you're open to changing rooms during your stay if a better option becomes available. This way, you could enjoy an upgrade for the first or last nights of your stay, while staying in a standard room for the remaining nights.

This approach proved effective for former TPG senior reporter Benji Stawski during his visit to the Las Vegas Hilton at Resorts World in 2021. Halfway through his stay, he asked the front desk if any suites had become available since his arrival. To his surprise, he was upgraded to an entertainment suite for the last two nights of his stay thanks to his Hilton Diamond status.

The takeaway

One of the greatest advantages of holding hotel elite status is the opportunity for space-available upgrades. In this article, I outlined several effective strategies to enhance your likelihood of securing an upgrade on your next hotel visit.

Possessing elite status significantly boosts your chances of receiving an upgrade, and it’s always worth inquiring if you haven’t been upgraded at check-in.

If you find yourself at a hotel that does not participate in a loyalty program, booking through Amex FHR or Chase LHRC can enhance your prospects of securing a superior room.