Top 11 Hotel Guaranteed Upgrade Offers: NYC, Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Spain, Thailand

Guaranteed hotel upgrades are one of the perks my clients most request, but most hotel upgrades are subject to availability at time of arrival. Yes, Four Seasons Preferred Partner and other preferred partner programs do prioritize my clients' upgrades ahead of those reserved via AMEX FHR or other booking channels, but of course if the next higher room or suite category is sold out, no upgrade is usually available. This is why I always recommend reserving the room or suite type you are happy with, and viewing an upgrade as a wonderful bonus.

Sometimes, however, you can have your cake and eat it too, as there are certain Virtuoso hotels that offer a confirmed upgrade at time of booking, as well as limited time preferred partners that also offer a confirmed upgrade. While there are a number of other Virtuoso hotels that offer confirmed upgrades at time of booking, I've cherry picked what I consider some of the best hotels that currently offer a guaranteed upgrade at time of booking. Some of these are limited time offers or offer them only for certain room or suite categories, so be sure to check the details for each. To reserve, Become a TravelSort Client.

1. Four Seasons Hong Kong: Guaranteed Upgrade + Four Seasons Preferred Partner Amenities and 4th Night Free for Select Dates

Guaranteed Upgrade Offer: Guaranteed one category upgrade at time of booking for new reservations of Deluxe Peak View Rooms, Deluxe Harbour View Rooms and Harbour View Suites for travel until August 31, 2016

4th Night Free Offer: Complimentary 4th night for Deluxe Harbour View Rooms, Premier Harbour View Rooms, Club Premier Harbour View Rooms, Harbour View Suites and Grand Harbour View Suites for travel through May 31, 2016

Additional Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)

• Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)

• Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet in all suites.

2. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai: Guaranteed Upgrade + Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits and 3rd or 4th Night Free for Select Dates

Guaranteed Upgrade Offer: Guaranteed one-category upgrade for new bookings of Garden Pavilion, Upper Garden Pavilion, Rice Terrace Pavilion, Upper Rice Terrace Pavilion and Pool Villa rooms only. Valid for stays through October 1, 2016

3rd Night Free Offer: Complimentary 3rd night free, may be booked back to back to enjoy 3rd and 6th nights free. Valid through September 30, 2016.

4th Night Free Offer: Complimentary 4th night free, may be booked back to back to enjoy 4th and 8th nights free. Valid through June 30, 2016 and from October 9 to December 19, 2016.

Additional Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)

• Spa credit of USD100 once during stay

• Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet in all suites.

3. Mandarin Oriental Paris: Guaranteed Upgrade + Mandarin Oriental FAN Club Benefits

Offer: One category upgrade at time of booking (room to room or suite to suite) 

Dates: All 2016 dates, subject to availability at time of booking, except for blackout dates of May 22-July 10 and from September 3 to October 8, 2016.

Additional Mandarin Oriental FAN Club Benefits

• Choice of $100 Food & Beverage credit or $100 Spa credit, per room per stay

• Daily full breakfast for two persons

• Complimentary High Speed Internet Access during stay

• Personalized welcome amenity and note 

• Dedicated Ambassador team support at each property

4. Four Seasons Santa Barbara: Guaranteed Double Upgrade + Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits

Offer: Guaranteed double upgrade, limited to Superior through Grand Premier categories

Dates: Stays until May 24, 2016

Additional Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits

• Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)

• Food and beverage credit of USD100 once during stay

• Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet in all suites.

5. Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris: Guaranteed Upgrade + Virtuoso Benefits

Dates: All 2016 dates, subject to availability at time of booking

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability 

• Daily full buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests served in La Cuisine Restaurant

• 85 EUR Food & Beverage credit, once during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

• Complimentary round-trip private airport transfers for all bookings in our Lifestyle Suite and above

• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

6. Hotel Le Bristol, Paris: Guaranteed Upgrade Up to Deluxe Junior Suite + Virtuoso Benefits

Dates: All 2016 dates, subject to availability at time of booking

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability (up to deluxe Junior suite. Higher categories are on arrival, subject to availability)

• Daily full breakfast, for up to two in room guests at our Bar Jardin Francais or in our main restaurant Epicure

• $100 USD Equivalent Spa Services credit, once during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

7. Carmel Valley Ranch, California: Guaranteed Upgrade + Virtuoso Benefits

Dates: All 2016 dates, subject to availability at time of booking

Virtuoso Benefits

• Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability 

• Daily continental breakfast, for up to two in room guests 

• $100 USD activity credit, once during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

8. Gleneagles, Perthshire, Scotland: Guaranteed Upgrade + Virtuoso Benefits

Dates: All 2016 dates, subject to availability at time of booking

Virtuoso Benefits

Upgrade at time of booking, subject to availability

• Enjoy Continental or Full Scottish Breakfast daily

• Traditional afternoon tea for two once during stay

• A complimentary round of golf on the King’s or Queen’s Course (minimum two night stay)

• Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability