Every resort loyalty program has its professionals and cons, and that features variations in elite improve insurance policies. Whereas I believe Hilton Honors has one of many all-around weaker improve insurance policies, this system is exclusive in providing house obtainable upgrades upfront… in idea. This characteristic was first launched in 2021, and on this publish I wished to try how precisely this coverage works.
Hilton Honors upgrades 72 hours upfront
Formally, Hilton Honors Diamond and Hilton Honors Gold members obtain complimentary upgrades topic to availability at check-in. Nonetheless, when doable, Hilton will notify elite members of their complimentary upgrades 72 hours previous to check-in.
If these upgrades are confirmed, eligible members will obtain an e-mail and/or Hilton Honors app push notification alerting them of the improve, and exhibiting each the unique room sort booked plus the upgraded room sort. If the resort affords digital check-in, members can then select their particular room inside that class when the time comes.
Listed below are just a few extra particulars of how this works:
- Upgrades are prioritized first for lifetime Hilton Honors Diamond members, then for Hilton Honors Diamond members, after which for Hilton Honors Gold members
- This improve course of is automated, so required no intervention by the property; it’s based mostly on some algorithm that takes into consideration availability, amongst different components
- The upgrades issued 72 hours out aren’t binding; it’s doable you’ll nonetheless be downgraded, and equally, it’s doable that you just’ll be upgraded additional by the property
- These automated upgrades upfront don’t have final room availability, so don’t depend on getting an improve upfront each time, and likewise don’t be stunned in the event you don’t get an improve upfront, however do get one on the day of arrival
- This characteristic is on the market at Hilton Honors manufacturers the place upgrades are a broadcast profit, together with Waldorf Astoria, LXR, Conrad, Cover by Hilton, Hilton, Curio Assortment by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Signia by Hilton, and Tapestry Assortment by Hilton
Hilton Honors is the one resort loyalty program to formalize one thing like this, although it’s price conserving in thoughts that each the Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt app will generally present room upgrades within the days previous to checking in, with out formally having a program like this. Similar to at Hiltons, these room assignments are topic to alter, although.
Hilton Honors’ elite improve coverage is obvious complicated
Whereas I like the concept of how Hilton Honors affords upgrades upfront, it’s necessary to handle your expectations.
Hilton Honors’ improve coverage is deliberately obscure, and simply states that you just’ll obtain a room improve topic to availability, and that will embrace a collection. Nonetheless, suite upgrades are on the discretion of particular person accommodations, that means that accommodations don’t need to improve high tier elite members to a collection, even when one is on the market.
That is in distinction to the insurance policies that Marriott Bonvoy Platinum and World of Hyatt Globalist members have, the place they do obtain suite upgrades topic to availability. That’s to not say accommodations all the time observe these insurance policies, however these are the foundations.
Whereas some individuals report getting automated upgrades to suites, in my expertise it’s nearly all the time a really minor improve, sometimes to a barely higher room (like a greater view room, a room with a settee, and many others.).
What’s so puzzling, actually is that Hilton Honors will pre-upgrade you, however will then nonetheless attempt to promote you an improve to a premium room. For instance, for an upcoming keep I’ve been upgraded from a queen room to a queen room with a settee as a Diamond member, and I’m being given the choice of upgrading to a room on a excessive ground for $20, or a junior suite for $100.
It’s one factor if the resort tried to promote these upgrades up till the day of check-in after which upgraded visitors to junior suites, however that’s not one thing I’d anticipate from Hilton with any regularity.
Backside line
Hilton Honors is exclusive in formally providing automated upgrades upfront to elite members. 72 hours earlier than check-in, Hilton Honors Diamond and Gold members could also be proactively upgraded to a premium room, which is a pleasant characteristic.
The catch is that like all issues associated to Hilton’s improve coverage, there’s not a lot consistency. Hilton simply guarantees that Diamond and Gold members will obtain some improve topic to availability, with no promise as to what precisely that improve will entail.
In my expertise, the upgrades upfront are typically modest, after which hardly ever do I get some thrilling improve on the day of arrival.
What do you make of Hilton Honors’ automated elite upgrades upfront? What sort of upgrades have you ever acquired?
