If you are a points guy like me, you love the free upgrades that hotels give when you are a priority member. Marriott is offering one to join up with them. All you need to do is go to the link below and sign up for the rewards program and give them your KLM number. Your Marriott will be upgraded to Gold. I have friends that have done this and it was instant. If you are already a Marriott member, you may go ahead and get another account or you can simply try to merge the two. The later works for some but not for others. I have friends that used this link with the current account and it was automatic upgraded the next day. It is worth a try for those of you that ever stay at this hotel in Thailand or elsewhere.

 

http://www.joinmarriottrewards.com/flyingblue/FBG2

There's one slight catch to it:

 

"Stay At any of over 2,800 participating Marriott hotels worldwide between 31 March and 30 June 2008."

Yes, it does say that. Some were upgraded without that stay and others were not. The computer does that. But, honestly for anyone that travels, if your account does not do the upgrade automatically, just stay one night. In pattaya, you can stay there next week for 4000 baht. It is well worth it for a year of upgrades. IMHO It really just depends on how much you travel.

Many of these hotel upgrade programs are great until it comes to high season. Amari, Marriott and Central to name 3 nearly always say they are full when you try to book using the cards discounts in busy periods. I have just attempted to book for January 2009 and told by all 3 that they are booked out unless I pay full price.

 

This has happened too regularly that I will not bother with these cards in future.

 

You can often haggle an upgrade in low season anyway.

Many of these hotel upgrade programs are great until it comes to high season. Amari, Marriott and Central to name 3 nearly always say they are full when you try to book using the cards discounts in busy periods. I have just attempted to book for January 2009 and told by all 3 that they are booked out unless I pay full price.

 

This has happened too regularly that I will not bother with these cards in future.

 

You can often haggle an upgrade in low season anyway.

 

I don't use my card to haggle over prices. I pay regular rate. On day of check in, they are required to give you an upgraded room if it is free. Being Platinum with both Marriott and Intercontinental, I have never stayed in a hotel that an upgrade was not given. The good thing about both programs is that if Platinum, you will get priority even if hotel is full. At the Marriott in Pattaya, just being Gold gets you free Internet (700 night savings) use of the club lounge and breakfast, cocktails in lounge, etc. They usually have a free gift waiting for you and fruit and wine.

 

I use my points in Brazil at Carnival time. I book using points. When I check in, they are NOT required to upgrade a room based on using points but they always do if it is available.