A bit like airlines, basic hotel experience just aren’t quite what they used to be. I mean, really? We’ve gotta pay for bottled water and basic internet! That just doesn’t seem right. On the upper floors however, where all the fancy suites are located, a lot of things are going right. If you’d like to “rise” to your next travel occasion, you can use hotel points from any of these programs to upgrade your paid stay to a lovely suite. Sometimes they even send champagne to say hello!
Don’t forget that at many hotels, “club room” lounges offer help yourself alcohol, evening canapés, and breakfast, amongst other benefits…
Hyatt
Points Per Night For A Club Room: 3,000
Points Per Night For A Suite: 6,000
How To Book The Upgrade: Upgrades are available on stays booked directly through Hyatt, booked under “standard” rates. Super discount rates may not be eligible. To upgrade simply call Hyatt using the local number for your region, which can be found here.
Starwood
Points Per Night For A Club Room: 1,000-2,700
Points Per Night For A Suite: 3,000-35,000, depending on category (fanciness) of hotel.
How To Book The Upgrade: You can upgrade any room type to a larger room, club room or even a suite, as long as you booked a flexible rate. You can even upgrade stays using points. To book, wait until you’re a max of 5 days from arrival at the hotel and call +1(888)625-4988 to arrange your upgrade. If a better room is available, an upgrade is available.
Hilton
Points Per Night For A Club Room: 5,000-25,000
Points Per Night For A Suite: 25,000-50,000
How To Book The Upgrade: You can use substantially more points at booking to get a premium room or suite, but the best option is to wait until you’ve made a cash booking. After you’ve made a standard booking, Hilton will display upgrade options for your reservation, which will depend on the hotel, season and availability. You can book these directly online while viewing your reservation. Full details here.
Nobody Else?
Marriott, Club Carlson, IHG and other chains allow you to redeem your points for free nights in suites, for (far) more points than standard rooms, but none of them allow you to upgrade a paid reservation to a club room or suite just using points.
