How to Get the Best Room at a Hilton Hotel

How to Get the Best Room at a Hilton Hotel

Are you sick and weary of staying in small, basic hotel rooms? If you visit Hilton on a regular basis, you might be wondering how to increase your chances of receiving a complimentary upgrade. We'll explore the Hilton Honors program's mysteries in this blog article and show you how to get the greatest room even if you're not an elite member.

Our comprehensive package includes free upgrades, paid upgrades, and travel agent rate benefits to make sure you get the most out of your Hilton stay. Prepare to make the most of your upcoming holiday or business trip by using these insider recommendations.

The 119-country portfolio of Hilton Worldwide includes over 6,100 properties under 18 brands. Travelers of all stripes, particularly business travelers, spend hundreds of nights in hotels worldwide each year.

It's understandable why. Hilton boasts locations all over the world, and the high caliber brands they carry cater to practically every kind of tourist.

Upgrades to rooms are accessible to Hilton Gold and above, while Diamond members are eligible for select suites that can be purchased for the duration of their stay or made available at the time of check-in.

Ever wonder how frequently this occurs? We've found that it can vary a lot, and the way you request an update will also make a big difference.

Hilton Honors Status Tiers

Hilton Honors membership is available in 4 tiers, ranging from Blue to Diamond. The higher your status while visiting Hilton properties, the more benefits you'll get. To advance to a higher rank, you can use specific Hilton Honors American Express cards, stay at hotels, and accrue Hilton Honors points.

The several hotel tiers that Hilton Honors offers are as follows:

For more details about Hilton status you can expect at each level:

• Blue: Upon joining, all participants receive Blue, which is the program's entry-level. Members can take advantage of late check-out and expedited check-out when available, in addition to a complimentary second guest.

• Silver: Hilton Honors members who use the Hilton Honors American Express Card or stay four times for a total of ten nights are eligible to advance to the Silver level. Along with all of the Blue benefits, you'll also receive a 20% bonus on any points you earn, a free fifth night when using points, free access to fitness centers, and two free bottles of water per stay.

• Gold: After 20 stays, 40 nights, 75,000 Honors base points, or the acquisition of an eligible Hilton Credit CD, members are promoted to the Gold level. In addition to the perks offered to Blue and Silver members, Gold members now receive an 80% bonus on all points earned, unlimited continental breakfast at participating Hilton hotels, and space-available upgrades to preferred rooms.

• Diamond: 30 stays, 60 nights, 120,000 Honors base points, or possession of an American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card are required to reach the diamond level. In addition to a 48-hour room guarantee and a 100% point bonus for impulsive reservations, Diamond Elite members can choose to have their membership extended for an extra year in the event that they are unable to requalify. Additionally, diamond members enjoy 24-hour access to member services as well as executive-floor lounges at select hotels.

How Members Can Get Upgrades

Hilton maintains the following statement regarding providing a better room and has an official policy on upgrades.

We’ll do our best to upgrade your room (including Select Suites), based on availability at check-in. Upgrades are subject to availability identified by each hotel and limited to your personal guest room.

The good news is that all members Gold and above are eligible for room upgrades; the higher your rank, the greater your chances. The drawback is that the hotel has complete control over whether or not to provide an upgrade.

These are the formal channels for receiving an upgrade at a Hilton establishment.

Complimentary Upgrades

Free upgrades are completely up to the hotel's decision, and several variables influence their decision. This includes the number of higher tier members checking in, the hotel's capacity, and your status level, among other things. Since a larger room will take more time to clean after check-out, some hotels also take this into account.

When visiting a resort, most customers rely on a gratis upgrade in order to preserve their points and suite night rewards for a later trip.

• To increase your chances of receiving an upgrade when you check in, take into account the following advice.

• A day or two before your arrival, check the hotel's capacity to see if any higher rooms are available. This will enable you to determine whether the hotel is fully booked or whether upgraded rooms are still available.

• The Hilton Honors App's mobile check-in feature should not be used. It is significantly more difficult to alter your accommodation after check-in since, in our experience, the hotel system assigns you a room as soon as you check in.

• Use the Hilton Honors App chat tool to inquire about the hotel in advance, and always remember to be kind. Say you saw the space available and that you would like to be upgraded.

• Remember to inquire nicely when you check in. If you inquire with your check-in agent about the possibility of an upgrade, they will undoubtedly investigate the system.

• The final and most crucial piece of advice is to be kind! Being kind goes a long way because the check-in agent frequently has the last say over an upgrade.

Lastly, consider the number of days you are planning to stay at a particular hotel. If it is a short stay you are much more likely to get an upgrade so you are not occupying a better room for a long period of time.

Upgrade Certificates—or the absence of them

Regretfully, Hilton does not provide an upgrade certificate program like Marriott or Hyatt do. These are one-time passes that make upgrades—including suites—more likely and are frequently the simplest ways to guarantee an improved accommodation.

Not even the top level at Hilton is eligible for a comparable perk.

Points / Cash Upgrade

Honors Gold and Diamond members are entitled to "space-available room upgrades" once their reservation is complete. These are available straight from your booking screen and will provide you a discounted rate to upgrade to a higher-tier room.

Instead of spending cash, you can use your Hilton points to upgrade a paid or award stay. Subject to hotel availability, upgrades are priced in blocks of 5,000 points; certain properties and rooms require several upgrade blocks.

In our experience, this is sometimes provided immediately after booking and often well in advance. Hilton will notify you directly if your upgrade is approved, but you might not hear until it's time to check in.

Travel Agent Rate Upgrades

Particularly for advisors on travel Hilton Impresario is a program offered by Hilton. When you book an eligible rate at nearly all Conrad, LXR, or Waldorf Astoria locations through a participating travel agency, you can take advantage of this program's benefits.

There is a far higher likelihood of an upgrade when you make your reservation through a licensed travel agent. Regardless of your status, you can benefit from free upgrades, among other things.

Why are upgrades eligible for travel agent rates? Travel agents are considered part of a hotel's loyalty program, which incentivizes them to suggest a specific property to all of its customers.

For this reason, we usually advise using a travel agency to book opulent hotels.

You will still receive your benefits and accrue points for the stay if you book through a travel agency, even if you have Hilton status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a complimentary upgrade at a Hilton hotel?

The hotel reserves the right to refuse complimentary upgrades, which may be granted based on your Hilton Honors status, the hotel's capacity, or the availability of higher-tier accommodations. You can improve your odds by politely inquiring during check-in, thinking ahead about how long you'll be staying, and using the chat feature on the Hilton Honors App.

Does Hilton offer upgrade certificates?

Unlike some competitors, Hilton does not have a program that offers upgrade certificates. Even the highest status level does not earn such a benefit.

What are the benefits of booking through a travel agent for Hilton upgrades?

Through Hilton's Impresario program, booking through a certified travel agent significantly increases your chances of receiving complimentary upgrades at eligible Conrad, LXR, or Waldorf Astoria properties, regardless of your Hilton Honors status. Hotels incentivize travel agents to recommend their properties through this loyalty program.

Conclusion

With Hilton's reward program and multiple upgrade opportunities, staying in the top rooms is possible.

Complimentary upgrades for Gold and higher members are at the hotel's discretion and are determined by a number of variables. You can increase your odds by using the Hilton Honors App chat feature, evaluating the length of your stay, and politely asking questions upon check-in.

Although other competitors offer upgrade certificates, Hilton does not; nonetheless, members can still improve their stay by using points or cash upgrades. Upgrade benefits from travel agent rates are substantial, even in the absence of status.