Upgrade at check in

[NanMar]

has anyone upgraded at check in? Not a DVC member, staying in a room with standard view. I went with adding 2 extra days at Aulani in exchange for standard view room. As the time approaches for our trip, I'm kind of wanting an ocean view. I haven't taken a real vacation in almost 8 years. I'm taking my 5 year old to celebrate her birthday and my 7 year old for finally being allowed to fly (he has special needs and his Drs were against him traveling by plane). I am trying to make the trip memorable since he can pass away at any moment. I think my daughter would enjoy the view since depending on my sons health we might have to spend extra time in the room while he stabilizes.

 

[JesseD]

I would call Aulani and explain your situation and see if they can help in any way - it never hurts to ask. We just got back from a trip to Orlando with Make-A-Wish and Delta was very accommodating.

A couple of weeks ago I jumped on a Delta Flash sale to HNL to fly the family first class in April (using mostly delta miles). While our daughter is doing good with the chemo (diagnosed with ALL 1 year ago), I told my wife we would regret not taking advantage of trips now if anything did happen to her. We booked a 3 day stay at Aulani in a 2 bedroom Ocean View Villa. Since there are only 4 of us (17 yo girl and 12 yo boy), we would have fit into a 1-bedroom villa with a pool view but we decided to spend the extra $1100 for the ocean view 2 bedroom. We are spending the first 5 days at the Lagoon Tower in Hilton Hawaiian Village.

 

[twodogs]

I think others on here have asked about paying for an upgrade and been offered that option at check in. As for free upgrades, we did get a complimentary one (as a surprise) when we stayed in early June. We booked an Island/Garden view 2 bedroom villa with a cash reservation and got upgraded to "ocean view". We did not ask for it, they just mentioned at check in that we had an ocean view. I told her that we didn't pay for that, and she said it was just pixie dust! I loved the upgrade, as we were in Ewa tower on the 14th floor, looking out over the Starlit Hui lawn and onward to the ocean. However, had I paid the actual price for an ocean view, I would have wanted a room facing into the pool area and out to the ocean that direction. Not sure if that makes sense if you haven't stayed at Aulani yet, to understand the views from different towers? In any case, an upgrade is possible, but I am not sure if they would do it across that many view categories (from Standard (least expensive) to Ocean (most expensive)) without charging you? As OP said, you can ask.

Sounds like a really special trip, and I think honestly all of the rooms have pretty nice views, even if not the ocean.

 

[alohamom]

We were given a complimentary upgrade on a cash/hotel room in August 2014 without asking. We went from a standard view studio to an partial ocean view studio and I must admit, it was one heck of a gorgeous view BUT we only went out on to the balcony about 3 times so it was kind of wasted on us. I understand your situation is different and it certainly would not hurt to ask. The front desk people are great and I am sure they would work hard to find something suitable for your family.

 

[NanMar]

I think others on here have asked about paying for an upgrade and been offered that option at check in. As for free upgrades, we did get a complimentary one (as a surprise) when we stayed in early June. We booked an Island/Garden view 2 bedroom villa with a cash reservation and got upgraded to "ocean view". We did not ask for it, they just mentioned at check in that we had an ocean view. I told her that we didn't pay for that, and she said it was just pixie dust! I loved the upgrade, as we were in Ewa tower on the 14th floor, looking out over the Starlit Hui lawn and onward to the ocean. However, had I paid the actual price for an ocean view, I would have wanted a room facing into the pool area and out to the ocean that direction. Not sure if that makes sense if you haven't stayed at Aulani yet, to understand the views from different towers? In any case, an upgrade is possible, but I am not sure if they would do it across that many view categories (from Standard (least expensive) to Ocean (most expensive)) without charging you? As OP said, you can ask.

Sounds like a really special trip, and I think honestly all of the rooms have pretty nice views, even if not the ocean.

Oh I was just wanting to pay there if I make up my mind, but wasn't sure if they would be able to do it when we check in. I tried to do it over the phone but because it's less than 30 days out they said they would have to cancel the previous reservation which is already fully paid.

 

[twodogs]

Oh I was just wanting to pay there if I make up my mind, but wasn't sure if they would be able to do it when we check in. I tried to do it over the phone but because it's less than 30 days out they said they would have to cancel the previous reservation which is already fully paid.

Here's hoping they have an upgrade for you! Hopefully it is not going to be a really busy time, and they can upgrade you. Wishing pixie dust and a great trip for you!!!

 

[alohamom]

Oh I was just wanting to pay there if I make up my mind, but wasn't sure if they would be able to do it when we check in. I tried to do it over the phone but because it's less than 30 days out they said they would have to cancel the previous reservation which is already fully paid.

I am sure it will be no problem if the space is available but I would wait and ask what your room assignment is first, then ask about a paid upgrade-you never know, you may just have been given a great room in the first place. Again, my experience with the front desk cms has always been great. They are friendly, professional and make you feel like they are working for you. Last time we were there, my daughter's lei had really fallen apart after a day or two so I asked if I could purchase another one for her and the lovely young lady just went and got her a new one. Its little things like that that make a huge difference...

 

[crystal1313]

We visited in July and had booked a cash reservation for a standard view and got upgraded to a garden view for free. We were going to ask if we could pay for an upgraded view, but before we could ask the CM checking us in said we had been upgraded. It was awesome! My DH and I pretty much sat on the balcony any time we were in the room, especially in the evening after the kids had gone to bed, we just hung out on the balcony and soaked in the amazing weather. Have a great time on your trip!

 

[jpessa]

Can you pay to upgrade if you're staying on points?

 

[nherbert]

We asked about the opportunity to upgrade at check in. We were booked in a 2 Queen standard room and wanted to upgrade to a 1 bdr villa (it was for my 50th birthday and we hadn't spent as much on our trip so far so we had excess holiday funds to do this). They offered us a reduce rate, we got a 1 bdr villa with ocean view, normally it would have been about $360 more per night but this was reduced to $200 per night - I know a lot of money, but this was a special event for me and worth it.

Anyway the main reason I wanted to reply was to tell you that they have this ability to print the view from each room when checking in, so ask if they could show you what view you have from your allocated room, and what you could upgrade to for each new price.

 

[alohamom]

Can you pay to upgrade if you're staying on points?

Not if you rented points

 

[NanMar]

We asked about the opportunity to upgrade at check in. We were booked in a 2 Queen standard room and wanted to upgrade to a 1 bdr villa (it was for my 50th birthday and we hadn't spent as much on our trip so far so we had excess holiday funds to do this). They offered us a reduce rate, we got a 1 bdr villa with ocean view, normally it would have been about $360 more per night but this was reduced to $200 per night - I know a lot of money, but this was a special event for me and worth it.

Anyway the main reason I wanted to reply was to tell you that they have this ability to print the view from each room when checking in, so ask if they could show you what view you have from your allocated room, and what you could upgrade to for each new price.

Thank you for replying. After alloting money to everything I figured I would be able to upgrade but the reservation was already paid for. I'm hoping they'll let me upgrade at check in.

 

[brimorga]

I scored big when I did it.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/paid-upgrade-at-check-in.3482858/

Granted it was the first 2 weeks of May which is not considered peak season.