Dolphin Upgrade or free night ??

[TheresaNY]

I have 10,000 points to use for our 8 night stay in June/July. Which do you think is a better use of the points: room upgrade or free night ?? I have the DU rate for Nurses of $149 right now. I know that no upgrade is guarenteed and I would have to request it within 5 days of arrival...but I have never been there before and am wondering if room upgradeis worth it. I would LOVE to get a room with the sofa so that the kids did not have to share a bed. Opinions PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!

 

[bab31]

your 10000 points is that thru starwood? If not register- I understand starwood guest get upgraded. - I would pay for the night and upgrade otherwise

 

[TheresaNY]

Yes, my points are through Starwood. What upgrade do SPG's get? I have a "traditional " (plain old regular) room booked. Would I get a free view upgrade and than use my points to upgrade to "deluxe"????

 

[Robert P]

Tough call, but since you asked for opinions....
I would have to say that with the room price that low, burn the needed points towards an upgrade. Check their website for the details.

Yes, you could get a free upgrade anyway, and instead use the points for your free night. But, the risk there is that it isn't guaranteed. If you use the points toward the upgrade, it's like 'paying' for the upgrade, and you should not have any problems getting it.

That's my opinion on the choices. Hope it helps.

 

[debsays]

10,000 points is one night at the Dolphin. However if you didn't use them and saved them and wanted to go back for another stay you could use them at the Sheraton Safari which is just passed Downtown Disney. I think it's 3,000 pionts a night there. Just a thought in case you want to stick another vacation in. You may want to think about it. Enjoy whatever you decide.

 

[NancyIL]

I wouldn't use 10,000 Starwood points for a $149 room rate. Save them for when a discounted rate is unavailable, or for several nights at another property. Also - there are no automatic room upgrades unless you are a GOLD Starwood member: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/benefits/benefits_gold.html

 

[TheresaNY]

Also - there are no automatic room upgrades unless you are a GOLD Starwood member: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/preferredguest/benefits/benefits_gold.html

Wow, missed that one ! Thank you ! That being the case, would the room upgrade be traditional to traditional with a view ? I am not interested in view really. My priority is more space and sofa !! I wouldn't get a deluxe upgrade then, would I ?

 

[NancyIL]

Wow, missed that one ! Thank you ! That being the case, would the room upgrade be traditional to traditional with a view ? I am not interested in view really. My priority is more space and sofa !! I wouldn't get a deluxe upgrade then, would I ?

You'll need to ask what the upgraded room would be. Are you in a king room or 2 doubles? The sofas (or sofabeds) are only in king rooms.

 

[TheresaNY]

The sofas (or sofabeds) are only in king rooms.

NO WAY !!!!!!! I thought the "deluxe" rooms had the sofas. I have seen pictures of2 double beds and a sofa all in the same room! It's really only the king rooms that have sofas ???????? Then I shouldn'e even waste the points for an upgrade...

 

[NancyIL]

NO WAY !!!!!!! I thought the "deluxe" rooms had the sofas. I have seen pictures of2 double beds and a sofa all in the same room! It's really only the king rooms that have sofas ???????? Then I shouldn'e even waste the points for an upgrade...

Hmmm.....can you post that photo? I know the Swan rooms with 2 beds just have a single chair.

**This is what their web site says: "Some king rooms offer a pullout sleeper for extra guests, while the double/double rooms offer a customized lounge chair and ottoman" - http://swandolphin.com/accommodations/index.html

Here's the Dolphin standard room floorplans: http://swandolphin.com/accommodations/images/D-DblGuestroom.gif

 

[Keokagal]

Hi, I'm not a Gold member, just regular ol starwood. I have always been given an upgrade either from standard to water view or water to resort view, occ. w a balcony. The room size was always the same, except once we were upgraded to a corner king w double balcony!! OMG I felt like a princess, top floor too. If I new how to resize my pictures I would post me waving to DH jogging around the Boardwalk. I thought I was Rapunzel!!
I would save your points for free nites elswhere, like where the room is $300 a nite.

 

[TheresaNY]

Nancy....I have been going crazy looking for the pictures I told you about...but haven't found them yet. I am thinking that perhaps I was looking at some photos on tripadvisor.com that shows what I now see as 2 different rooms..one a double and one looks like a suite? maybe. Looks like bed flipped down out of wall. I am SO CONFUSED !!!!!!!
So, bottomline, if we got a "deluxe room" with double beds...there would NOT be a sofa. Right ??? In which case, I could either stay a free night there, or see about using it at hotels on the drive down I guess. These points seem to be burning a hole in my pocket, so to say.

Keokagal - did you need to ask for the upgrade or show proof of membership?

 

[Keokagal]

Did not have to show SPG card it's on their data base. I've only been asked for my nursing lic 2 of the mult x's we've been there. I always have all my cards avail.
Also, if you have AAA you get a 20% discount on most of the rest. at Dolp/Swan.
It's all good, man.