Hilton Pilot Program: Confirmed Suite Upgrades For Elites At Booking

Currently Hilton Diamond elites can receive upgrades to suites. The issues with this are:

  • There must be availability at check in
  • Hotels are free not to offer these upgrades, even if availability is there

This basically makes this ‘benefit’ useless. Hilton is currently testing a pilot program where select elite members can confirm an upgrade to a suite at the time of booking. The pilot program has been targeted towards a select few high value customers.

  • Each select customer receive one upgrade certificate
  • Certificate must be redeemed by March 31st, 2019
  • Certificate can be used on reservations up to 7 days long
  • Certificate can be used on paid and award nights

Hilton has also gone on record as saying they plan to roll out guaranteed upgrades at booking to more customers by the end of year but it’s not clear if those will have the same rules as the pilot program above or not (and will likely depend on the pilot program itself). It’s also not clear if all Diamond members will receive this benefit or if you’ll need to stay more than 60 nights to be eligible.

If a benefit isn’t guaranteed then I don’t really put much value in it, having the chance of getting an upgrade doesn’t really do anything for me. Because of this reason I’ve given up chasing status with most programs, I do think this is something Hilton has desperately needed to address so it’s good they are finally making a move in this direction. It’s obviously too early to tell how useful this benefit will actually be, but I’m excited to find out the final details.

Hat tip to TPG

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8 Comments
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Fat Ted
Fat Ted (@guest_712514)
January 26, 2019 22:04

I’m about to lose my Diamond status. It would have taken significant effort to get it again in 2018 and I didn’t think it was worth it. 2019 is TBD, I wish I got notified of this pilot, it would make me want to stay. Some “suites” are such a minor upgrade, but others are awesome so I guess that could really drive the value.

Henry
Henry (@guest_712501)
January 26, 2019 21:15

I used my points in Beijing for 3 nights at 2 different hotels Hilton ann conrad recently and got both to choose whatever I want before check in or at the time of check in. It is pretty valuable.

Dan
Dan (@guest_712362)
January 26, 2019 15:02

In the past 12 months I’ve had Diamond from the Amex card. I’ve been upgraded to suites at the Conrad Bali, Conrad Hong Kong, Hilton Park Lane and a couple of others. I’ve had to ask at check in for it but around 50% do do it.

NinjaX
NinjaX (@guest_712245)
January 26, 2019 04:50

cmon Diamond+. where the hell are you?

York
York (@guest_712242)
January 26, 2019 04:16

That’s very true, went to HIlton Quebec few years back with Diamond status and was put in the regular room. They didn’t even offer any upgrade.

P
P (@guest_712214)
January 26, 2019 01:24

I think they’re improving their program. Got offered a junior suite ocean view at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on points booking when previously was always stuck on standard rooms.

Frank
Frank (@guest_712179)
January 25, 2019 23:53

I think “chance of an upgrade” has value as long as it’s based on actually availability and not BS like “if they feel like it”