We are going to Boca Raton for 2 nights 1/3-1/5. We are using MR. I just called to request a suite night and I was told that I couldn’t get it for the property that we are going to. The MR representative said that it if it was available I would have been asked on the website if I wanted to request it. I’ve never been able to use them. Why have the free ones? I’d love to hear some other experiences.
I have gotten several upgrades using these, and I have also been denied, but there were valid reasons.
These are the reasons they may not always be available, in my experience:
All hotels are different---some have larger or better "regular" rooms (views, location, layout, etc which are often more expensive ),
some have suites, but some hotels have
all the same type rooms.
You must be booked at a hotel that has upgradable rooms in the first place to have a shot at them.
If a suite or "better" upgrade is there, you might get it.
If the higher level rooms ARE available, ie, nobody has already purchased them by the time you arrive, you will get it.
They say call the week before----that's because they're holding out for someone to purchase them. Makes financial sense for them.
It's an award, not something you paid for necessarily, so the chance at getting a great upgrade is still possible,
and when you do get it it's quite nice, but is totally a toss of the coin.
Recent Examples: I got a fabulous upgrade at Boston's Long Wharf Hotel in October (> nice large suite),
but did NOT get one two weeks ago at Charleston SC's Renaissance Hotel in the historic district
(hotel always sold out and higher level rooms had been purchased).
In October of 2018 we got awesome upgrades for TWO rooms for three nights (two couples) at Rome's Palazzo Naiadi.
I have twice elected the Suite Night Upgrade Rewards even knowing they may not always be available, only because when you do get them,
they're generally fabulous and perhaps cost prohibitive otherwise.
It's worth the chance, imho....and far better than a free night (or the other awards).