Amex FHR Rates and upgrades

Just booked an Amex rate for the Hotel 1000 in Seattle, which between my phone call and them booking it, increased in price. The Amex rate comes with breakfast and the chance of an upgrade (and $100 spa credit which I won't use).

The hotels web rate is now cheaper, even if I add breakfast, so it's all on the upgrade. A "water view" would be nice but what's peoples experience of the FHR "upgrade if available"? Do most hotels honour this, do you have to remind them, or is it all a bit hit and miss?

TIA!

[Neil]

We have always received an upgrade when we have been booked on an FHR rate, and on our recent trip to Vegas we got a double upgrade at The Wynn which was at 98% occupancy with it being Memorial Weekend.

You should also check with the Spa credit. When we have stayed at hotels that have offered this as it's special gift, we have been able to use it to buy products from the spa, rather than for a treatment, and have got some really nice things, some we have kept, some we have given as gifts.

Neil

Good idea with the spa credit, I'll have to check that out.

I guess unless there's a great special offer I'll keep the Amex rate, and just hope for the upgrade.