Loews First Upgrade Help!

[Cmould]

Because of the changes to the Loews First Program I am now a Platinum member!! I currently have two club level rooms at the HR booked through Hotel Kingdom.com. I called the hotel to see if I can upgrade one of these rooms to a Club suite. They first tell me I can try at time of check-in. I tell them no,not anymore.
They then tell me that because these rooms are booked through Hotel Kingdom they can't touch the reservations. Does anyone know some way that I can do this? In all the time I've been a Loews first member I've never been able to secure an upgrade. What am I doing wrong? Thanks in advance for any suggestions you can offer.
Carol

 

[JessicaR]

Carol, I just had a similar thing happen. I called Loews directly. This is what I was told. That because my reservation was made prior to the changes I would have to wait till check-in and request the suite. That only new reservations made from yesterday on could secure the up grade before check in. I was also told booking any rate through a discounter would not be eligable. Here is the small print and it does state new reservations.

^A qualified stay is any published rate. Group, negotiated, third party and advanced purchase rates do not apply. Not valid with any other discount program, coupon, complimentary or promotional offer.
*Miles will be awarded once per stay.
**Suite upgrades are applicable to certain suite types only and subject to availability of those suites.

*Advanced purchase rates.

Although at first look the benefits seemed better after really breaking it down I come up with any rates other than a Loews published (rack) rate will not receive these new perks. I am hoping I am wrong.

 

[Robinrs]

I was told when I booked with an online hotel discounter is that they have a specific block of rooms reserved that they are allowed to sell. That's why they have rooms when some hotels will tell you they're sold out.

Maybe this is why they told you they cannot touch your reservation.

Thanks for the info, JR. The small print is always the bad part of every good thing...

 

[Cmould]

JessicaR,
I'm afraid I have to agree with you. I hope they don't take away the welcome gift and other amenities if the room is not booked at at rack rate. I can handle not getting the upgrade but would miss the other things. With 2 rooms booked for 5 days Hotel kingdom is more than a thousand dollars less then HR rack rates for the club level so I quess I'll have to live with it. I did read on another thread that someone was able to upgrade from the fan club rate which I would have booked if it had been available. We are not going until July so I will be glued to these boards (as if I needed a reason) to see what others experience is.
Carol

 

[webray]

I was told last fall when checking into the Portofino...that eventually, if you did not book through loews or Universal...you would no longer be able to enjoy the loews perks/benefits. Front desk guy didn't know when it would be put into effect, as they were working out the details.

I guess they are finally putting that into effect.

 

[Cmould]

JessicaR
I would suggest you call back and try again or see if you can secure another reservation and try to upgrade the new one. Have been calling several times today and it seems that as the program is changing they are trying to fixing the blips. What I have found out so far is that Triple A and other Loews promotional rates do qualify for Loews First benefits, this is different from what I was told on Thursday and it has been confirmed by several different Loews employees. Entertainment rates do not qualify for the upgrade before checkin benefit. All this still doesn't help me with what I need, 2 club rooms. I was, however,able to book a King suite with an adjoining garden view room for an incredible rate of 169. per room per night . We just really love being on the Club Level and I don't understand why they won't give me the cheaper Club Level(rack-369) when they are offering me a suite(rack-459). Some one is going to get back to me so we will see what happens.
Carol

 

[JOC]

Carol,

I'm in the same situation as you, but I'm waiting for them to call me back regarding an upgrade to a suite on Club Level at RPR. Seems that the hotels themselves (RPR anyway) haven't determined what suites can be given out for upgrades as fas as Club Level is concerned so reservationists can't upgrade at time of reservation since they have no information.

I was also told that you have to stay at a "qualifying rate" (Loews published rates, AAA) in order to receive the upgrade at time of reservation; Fan Club, Entertainment, AP, etc. aren't qualifying rates.

 

[CPM]

I still think it comes down to availability at the hotel, the check in person and thier mood!

I am at Loews Philadelphia right now. We booked a AAA rate for a standard room, we were upgraded to a suite & given access to club level.
BTW, the Universal resorts all blow away this place! It's nice and all but not nearly as nice as RPR, HRH or PBH. They charge $28.00 a night for parking plus tip since it's all valet! I'll take the $6.00 any time. Club only gives you a minimal continental breakfast, nothing else.

 

[CPM]

BTW, what is the new policy for Loews First?

 

[theterms]

The Loews site says that upgrades are available upon check-in for Blue & Gold Members *if available*, and upon reservation for Platinum Members.

I just joined this year, so I am a Blue Member. What, exactly, is a premium room? That's what the upgrade offer is for me. I have a water view at an Entertainment rate of $125, so what would I be upgraded to - IF there was one available?

Honestly - I doubt there will be any. I have checked dozens of sites and they all say the same thing - "No Availablility during these dates".

 

[Lewisc]

Discounted rates (Hotwire, Entertainment, hotel kingdoom, etc) are not eligible for Loews First Benefits. Basically rack rates and packages booked through Universal are the only bookings that ARE ENTITLED to use the program although the desk clerks seem to have the ability to bend the rules if you're nice.

 

[JessicaR]

We just returned last night from a 4 day stay at RPR. At check-in I picked the brains of the manager as to the new Loews First changes. He wasnt aware they had changed. I'm guessing this is gonna take a while to implement this and unless you bring it to their attention dont expect everyone to know everything. During the next 4 days I thought it would be interesting to speak to as many people as possible at the different properties to learn what I could. I even had one manager make some calls because he was unsure himself and confused.

I walked away from every conversation with different answers to the same questions. My advice is to see what happens at check-in and ask at that time for the upgrade. I have had the best luck in the past and this recent trip just asking the person at check-in for a suite and usually get it. If you are platnium and told its not available you can ask them to read the new changes. I did learn something interesting. At RPR it seems they have certain suite categories that are coded "the upgradable suites" using your Loews first benefits. I was even told it depended on your status as to what they can upgrade you to. Once again it really seems its the luck of whom ever is checking you in and how busy they are at that time as to what you are offered.

 

[JOC]

Hi JessicaR,
Thanks for the update. Were you upgraded at RPR, and what is your Loews membership level?

 

[FOV]

How do you get from Loew's Blue to Gold and from Gold to Platinum? I assume it has to do with how many times you have stayed at a Loews property? I just signed up for Loews Blue about a week ago and will be staying at the HRH at the end of the month.

I am not expecting an upgrade because of our lowly "Blue" status and because we are going during a busy time of year.

Carol- I can't believe you got a King Suite for $169! That's incredible! Have you ever stayed in a King Suite? Is it just a bigger room? Do you feel like you get your moneys worth? The only time I ever paid more for a "premium" room was on my honeymoon. We went for the ocean view (in Hawaii) and it was worth it! On most vacations we don't spend enough time in the room for me to justify it - especially when we visit theme parks! Club level would be nice for the convenience of breakfasts and snacks throughout the day. I'd love to hear about the "suite" experience!

 

[JessicaR]

Yes we got upgraded to a King Executive suite. It was a king room with a seperate room that has a desk and chairs an armoire that has a cabinet with the tv and draws and another cabinet. A full size (was told it was queen) pullout couch and a table. The second room has the bathroom. 2 large closets. After staying in the suites at Portofino I am very spoiled and these do not compare. I would be very happy to get this room over a standard though! We were on the 7th floor in tower 1 and had a great view of the park. The service at this property was absolutely incredible. It could easily become my favorite for that reason alone.

We are gold but with the new changes platnium now.

 

[JessicaR]

"I am not expecting an upgrade because of our lowly "Blue" status and because we are going during a busy time of year."

I got some great upgrades being a lowly blue Good Luck!