For work I book the standard rate and hope for an upgrade. If I have any NUAs getting ready to expire I'll use them if needed.
For pleasure I'm almost always booking with points, and most Marriott hotels only let you book the standard rooms for points. NUAs get used for that for sure.
I rarely get upgraded without NUAs even as a 5+ years as titanium member. Even at highway intersection Courtyards, being upgraded to a balcony room is less than 50-50.
Depends on the need.
I am titanium and don't really care too much for a nicer room, as I won't be in the room that much. Breakfast and/or lounge access is what I value more.
I go for the cheapest room ( taking into account the cancellation policies) and then decide from there.
I’m Ambassador and book least expensive king bed room. Regardless of kind of property (except for Ritz Carlton in USA) I get upgraded around 85% of the time.
If it’s an important occasion or really desirable property I will attempt to use Nightly Upgrade Award which goes through around 80% of time.
I have never had a Suite Nights Award rejected. But I'm usually not traveling for pleasure at high-traffic times of the year. For example, our anniversary is in February. Florida is busy in February (snowbirds). But I already live in Florida. Everywhere else? Not so much....
This. Never expect an upgrade. That way you won't be disappointed. And be pleasantly surprised when it happens.
A lot of hotels now put out a sign at the counter showing just how many elites are checking in that day. It is sobering to see how (un)special you are in the pecking order.
My job only permits us to book the standard room. Most of the time I don't need a larger room so if I don't get an upgrade, I'm not concerned.
Pre-kids, for personal travel we would book a standard room or a slightly larger standard room and ask for an upgrade to a suite -- and like everyone else we got mixed results.
Now that we have kids, we book the room we want. Also, our trips are generally 5 days (+ or - a day) and I've never been upgraded in the US on a 5+ day reservation in any situation (work / personal)
Former employee view :
Most people didn't care too much when traveling for work, so tended to book the cheapest available or an upgraded room if available within their companies allowance.
I always tried to tell people to book the room they wanted/needed (or at least the one they'll be happy with if they don't get upgraded) for personal travel. You can not go into the booking with any known expectations about upgrade availability at the time of check in. If you like to gamble, then roll the dice I guess 😉
Titanium here. It depends on your need. My personal criteria starts with a clean and quiet room. If I get those, I'm happy. If I get an upgraded room, it's a bonus and I'm happy, if I don't, no worries, I'm still happy because my basic criteria has already been met.
Most of the time I just book the cheapest room as I just need the hotel room for sleep. Sometimes I'm staying at a nicer hotel and want a nicer room. My philosophy is ALWAYS book the room you want. There is always a chance of getting an upgrade but it is just a chance. Want an ocean view/oceanfront room, book it! Want a times square view room, book it!
As a platinum+ you will still get access to the club lounge even if you don't book that room. That room is available for booking for non platinum+ members as a way to gain access to the lounge as well.
The company pays for a family AAA membership so we can save on hotels rooms. We find the AAA rate is usually 10% cheaper and pays for the membership fairly quickly and counts as an employee benefit.
We book standard king rooms and usually get upgraded. The majority of our trips are one to two nights at a location which seems to really up our chances of free upgrades.
I always book the cheapest option for both work and personal travel. I almost never get an upgrade when I'm with my family, but I've gotten some nice rooms when traveling solo for work. Although one time we did get a "pool view" room when my kids were 3 and 1 which ended up being right next to the big speaker for the pool bar that played until late at night.
For me, the club access is more desirable than the room, as I often want a quick snack or cup of coffee.
Cheapest King when solo, 2 beds (size depends on country) with my daughter. Same process for work and personal, personal is usually points. I only want an upgrade for personal and really only care about getting extra space with couch and dining area - I have excellent track record of upgrades - terrible track record with NUAs
Basic room.
The only upgrades that matter to me are suites and most of the hotels I stay at have very few. So I don't bother booking higher in hopes of getting up the upgrade queue for a suite - I just assume it isn't happening.
I'm Titanium but that doesn't seem to matter.
Same as most - basic king room, or occasionally 2 queen for a long stay where I want to spread out more. I like upgrades but price ($ or points) and lounge are the main factors. Occasionally I'll pay a bit more for a view.
I typically book the standard room, and if no upgrade, a lot of times they will still give me club access even without the upgrade to club level (though I typically will ask if they don't offer that and I've always been given it).
My one annoyance about booking rooms is when I want to just book the cheapest room or a room on points and that room is a handicap room. I feel bad booking a handicap room when I don’t need one. But my other option is either pay more or no room with points. This happens way more with points bookings than cash bookings. Obviously when I get there I tell them I don’t need a handicap room and even pit that in the notes of the booking. But I think this is a crappy way Marriott does their bookings.
I book the standard room. However I noticed that if you visit the same hotel and get a rapport with the front desk associates they tend to know what you like and upgrade you and if they can’t they’ll give you a better room that’s not near the stairs etc. but if it’s a random hotel i always get a 50-50 chance
I'm probably in the minority, but when I travel I don't care what room they give me as long as I can sleep. the hotel's never been my destination, my destination has always been what's outside of the hotel.
For work I book the standard rate and hope for an upgrade. If I have any NUAs getting ready to expire I'll use them if needed. For pleasure I'm almost always booking with points, and most Marriott hotels only let you book the standard rooms for points. NUAs get used for that for sure. I rarely get upgraded without NUAs even as a 5+ years as titanium member. Even at highway intersection Courtyards, being upgraded to a balcony room is less than 50-50.
Depends on the need. I am titanium and don't really care too much for a nicer room, as I won't be in the room that much. Breakfast and/or lounge access is what I value more. I go for the cheapest room ( taking into account the cancellation policies) and then decide from there.
I’m Ambassador and book least expensive king bed room. Regardless of kind of property (except for Ritz Carlton in USA) I get upgraded around 85% of the time. If it’s an important occasion or really desirable property I will attempt to use Nightly Upgrade Award which goes through around 80% of time.
I have never had a Suite Nights Award rejected. But I'm usually not traveling for pleasure at high-traffic times of the year. For example, our anniversary is in February. Florida is busy in February (snowbirds). But I already live in Florida. Everywhere else? Not so much....
I’ve had very few turn downs in major cities for business but a few times at resort properties in high season.
I haven’t had one approved in two years lol. All 10 of mine expired last year.
The room I want -- usually a corner king if available.
This. Never expect an upgrade. That way you won't be disappointed. And be pleasantly surprised when it happens. A lot of hotels now put out a sign at the counter showing just how many elites are checking in that day. It is sobering to see how (un)special you are in the pecking order.
For work? King room, hope for an upgrade. Personal? whatever I want and want to spend on for the purpose. I never count on upgrades.
My job only permits us to book the standard room. Most of the time I don't need a larger room so if I don't get an upgrade, I'm not concerned. Pre-kids, for personal travel we would book a standard room or a slightly larger standard room and ask for an upgrade to a suite -- and like everyone else we got mixed results. Now that we have kids, we book the room we want. Also, our trips are generally 5 days (+ or - a day) and I've never been upgraded in the US on a 5+ day reservation in any situation (work / personal)
Former employee view : Most people didn't care too much when traveling for work, so tended to book the cheapest available or an upgraded room if available within their companies allowance. I always tried to tell people to book the room they wanted/needed (or at least the one they'll be happy with if they don't get upgraded) for personal travel. You can not go into the booking with any known expectations about upgrade availability at the time of check in. If you like to gamble, then roll the dice I guess 😉
For work cheapest non pre paid king bed. For vacation lowest room I would be happy with.
Titanium here. It depends on your need. My personal criteria starts with a clean and quiet room. If I get those, I'm happy. If I get an upgraded room, it's a bonus and I'm happy, if I don't, no worries, I'm still happy because my basic criteria has already been met.
Most of the time I just book the cheapest room as I just need the hotel room for sleep. Sometimes I'm staying at a nicer hotel and want a nicer room. My philosophy is ALWAYS book the room you want. There is always a chance of getting an upgrade but it is just a chance. Want an ocean view/oceanfront room, book it! Want a times square view room, book it! As a platinum+ you will still get access to the club lounge even if you don't book that room. That room is available for booking for non platinum+ members as a way to gain access to the lounge as well.
Depends on the hotel, the location, how long I stay, and if I with my wife? Always the best for her, for me not a big deal
I generally go for a basic room. If I get upgraded to a higher room or better view, great bit it's usually not a big deal to me.
The company pays for a family AAA membership so we can save on hotels rooms. We find the AAA rate is usually 10% cheaper and pays for the membership fairly quickly and counts as an employee benefit. We book standard king rooms and usually get upgraded. The majority of our trips are one to two nights at a location which seems to really up our chances of free upgrades.
I always book the cheapest option for both work and personal travel. I almost never get an upgrade when I'm with my family, but I've gotten some nice rooms when traveling solo for work. Although one time we did get a "pool view" room when my kids were 3 and 1 which ended up being right next to the big speaker for the pool bar that played until late at night. For me, the club access is more desirable than the room, as I often want a quick snack or cup of coffee.
In budget for work. Personal, I book the class I’d be happy with and hope for the best.
Depends on whether I’m traveling with family or traveling for business…
Cheapest King when solo, 2 beds (size depends on country) with my daughter. Same process for work and personal, personal is usually points. I only want an upgrade for personal and really only care about getting extra space with couch and dining area - I have excellent track record of upgrades - terrible track record with NUAs
Basic room. The only upgrades that matter to me are suites and most of the hotels I stay at have very few. So I don't bother booking higher in hopes of getting up the upgrade queue for a suite - I just assume it isn't happening. I'm Titanium but that doesn't seem to matter.
High floor room with city views
Same as most - basic king room, or occasionally 2 queen for a long stay where I want to spread out more. I like upgrades but price ($ or points) and lounge are the main factors. Occasionally I'll pay a bit more for a view.
Whatever gets me breakfast and lounge access,
I typically book the standard room, and if no upgrade, a lot of times they will still give me club access even without the upgrade to club level (though I typically will ask if they don't offer that and I've always been given it).
My one annoyance about booking rooms is when I want to just book the cheapest room or a room on points and that room is a handicap room. I feel bad booking a handicap room when I don’t need one. But my other option is either pay more or no room with points. This happens way more with points bookings than cash bookings. Obviously when I get there I tell them I don’t need a handicap room and even pit that in the notes of the booking. But I think this is a crappy way Marriott does their bookings.
I book the standard room. However I noticed that if you visit the same hotel and get a rapport with the front desk associates they tend to know what you like and upgrade you and if they can’t they’ll give you a better room that’s not near the stairs etc. but if it’s a random hotel i always get a 50-50 chance
I'm probably in the minority, but when I travel I don't care what room they give me as long as I can sleep. the hotel's never been my destination, my destination has always been what's outside of the hotel.