Paying for an upgrade on arrival at HRH?

[jdm]

I was hoping for some input. We are arriving around 8am off an all night flight from Seattle. The priority for us is early checkin, more than the room type etc. While I know there is absolutely no guarantee of an early check-in, I'm wondering if my chances will be better if I book a standard room and then pay to upgrade to anything that is available? I was thinking about booking a Club but would rather have a standard, ready-- than a Club at 4pm. Has anyone paid to upgrade on checkin and was it inline with pre-booking rates or was it considerably more for that room type? I hope I'm making sense here??

Thanks!
Jenn

 

[bubba's mom]

Hi Jenn...

First, are you a Loews First member? If not, go to the Loews site and get yourself registered..it's free and has perks (welcome gift, late checkouts, upgrades, etc...)

Next, you can check in at any time (7am if you wish), get your room key (for your Express access) and if your room isn't ready, Luggage Service will hold your bags for you. (You don't mention when you're traveling, but if it's a slow time, greater chance of room being ready and getting upgrade).

Now, when you check in, simply ask if there are any upgrades available. Say you just caught the 'all nite' flight in from Seattle, really tired, first time there, etc...and was wondering if "it wouldn't be too much trouble" to check and see what they have. They may not have any available, they may have some. I've read people were told for an additional amount of money, and when declined, it 'suddenly became free'.... just ask, because you never know and may be lucky

Not sure how many times you plan to visit, but with accumulation of nights, your upgrade chances increase. For instance, after 6 nights, your LF level goes from Blue to Gold. With a Gold, you are guaranteed an upgrade "if available" at time of res. With Blue, you have to wait to see if it's available "at checkin". With Platinum level, you get a free suite upgrade at time of booking...that's why you want in their LF membership...entitled to upgrades (just not guaranteed at 'entry' level).

Hope this helps....we have sticky's and post regarding upgrades and such..... Whether to book standard OR club...well, i can't help you there. Will you be around to take advantage of the club perks? For our family, we're not. Once we leave in the morning, we usually don't get back till dark


Good luck!

 

[jdm]

Thanks Bubba's Mom for answering both my requests on this board. I am a Lowe's member and have spent one night at PBH in 2001 and 2 nights at the HRH in 2003, I think. It's been a while. We are traveling Nov. 9th thru
the 19th. We are planning to spend our first two nights (Veterans Day weekend) at the HRH and then will move to our condo. We come to Orlando annually but have only done Universal once- our first visit in 2001. I understand that we can get our "keys" and go to the parks but we've done the red-eye many times and are always toast when we arrive. We are two to three hours from the airport on this end and then none of us sleep on airplanes. Usually what I do, is Priceline a hotel for the night before we come in and the night of, therefore guaranteeing us a bed to plop in on arrival. Of course with Priceline we talking about $45 bucks a night versus $250 so I know I'm just going to have to take my chances on check-in. My thoughts on Club versus Standard is that if we book a Club (which I think is what we want) and it's not available that early we would have to downgrade for what might possibly be ready, for I'm assumming-- the same price. If we go with Standard and it's not available yet, then I would be in a position to say just give me whatever you have and I'll pay the extra. It might leave me with more options. We are still Blue so I'm expecting to pay for whatever upgrade might be available-- but I'll certainly give it a whirl. Thanks again for your input. I appreciate it!

Jenn

 

[Motherfletcher]

We booked standard and upgraded to club for $60 at 8 a.m. and our room was ready.

 

[bubba's mom]

I'm also thinking that mid-November, a room will most likely be ready.....chances are better at that time of the year vs. say, like, um.... July! You can always call and ask the capacity of the hotel for that morning....explain you're on the red-eye, really want to rest as soon as you get it...etc..... See what they tell you..... Good luck!

 

[jaff87]

We booked standard and upgraded to club for $60 at 8 a.m. and our room was ready.

Is this $60 more per night, or just a flat $60 to go from standard to Club level?

 

[tiggerguy2000]

Is this $60 more per night, or just a flat $60 to go from standard to Club level?

That would be 60 a night and thats extremely cheap but it can be done.It all matters what time of year.The upgrade is about a $100 a night and well worth it.You will be very surprised and will never go again without the concierge.it's my opinion but most who took my advice was very thankful to me on the return from universal.

tiggerguy

 

[FeeFeeWhite]

A friend just got back and told me she did it at the desk for $60.00/night just last month.

 

[Motherfletcher]

Is this $60 more per night, or just a flat $60 to go from standard to Club level?

Sorry I didn't see this. Yeah, this was per night. That trip we just stayed one night. I have received an upgrade to club for as little as free (which doesn't happen too often), $50 at PBH, $60 and $70 at HRH. RPR's best offer was $100 and I've been offered $90 at PBH but refused.

 

[jaff87]

Sorry I didn't see this. Yeah, this was per night. That trip we just stayed one night. I have received an upgrade to club for as little as free (which doesn't happen too often), $50 at PBH, $60 and $70 at HRH. RPR's best offer was $100 and I've been offered $90 at PBH but refused.

This is our first time going to Universal. I currently have a garden room for 3 nights. Am a new Lowe's member, so may be able to get a pool view at check in. BUT, I am going 8/10-8/13/08.. My guess is the hotel will be at capacity at that time of year. I just changed from rack rate of $299 down to $269. I queried about a club room - Rack rate $419; AAA rates $377 (I believe that is what he said). DH and I want this to be more of a fact finding mission this time around since we have never been. We have 2 kids too, ages 9 & 11.

I honestly do not know what to do. Club room now, wait a while to see if prices change, or supersaver rates come out; don't do it at all this time around? Any chance of even seeing an upgrade rate at time of check in to a Club Level? Any suggestions?

 

[Motherfletcher]

Any suggestions?

Value rates start Aug. 16th. Can you change your dates?

 

[bubba's mom]

I honestly do not know what to do. Club room now, wait a while to see if prices change, or supersaver rates come out; don't do it at all this time around? Any chance of even seeing an upgrade rate at time of check in to a Club Level? Any suggestions?

You can always book whatever room you want, change the rate when it becomes available (supersaver, APH, etc...) and cancel whatever room you don't want....the idea is to at least "have" a room reserved, that way you at least have it and can change the rate later if you need to. If you don't come across a rate you like, you have a week prior to arrival to cancel it w/o penalty. Like MF said, can you change your dates....probably won't get an upgrade on Blue level LF cuz it will most likely be busy.....but, one can hope!

 

[jaff87]

Value rates start Aug. 16th. Can you change your dates?

MF & Bubba's Mom - Thanks for the input. Unfortunately, this time around I cannot change our dates. Historically, has the value pricing always started around mid-August?

 

[bubba's mom]

Yep...right around mid-August.... it's a crap shoot on the actual cut-off dates....