Hotels Upselling Breakfast and Club Access after Reservation has been Made - Is it Worthwhile?
I have been on a mission to obtain Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) Platinum Status ahead of the upcoming program merger in August 2018. Since I have not really stayed over at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach before, I decided to book myself into a weekend stay - I have booked a Deluxe Room since SPG Platinum Status would give me guaranteed lounge access (which also includes breakfast) for the stay. Last evening, I received an email from the reservations team upselling me breakfast and club lounge access for this stay - this is not the first time that I have actually received this, so I wanted to share a couple of thoughts regarding such upsells.
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Singapore South Beach
The rate that I have booked at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach is the Marriott Rewards Member Advance Purchase Rate for a Deluxe Room - this was priced at S$266++ and breakfast is not included in this rate. If I had wanted a breakfast-inclusive rate, it would have been S$314++ for that same day. This was the email that I have received yesterday regarding an upsell for breakfast and club access.
| Online | Final Price (Online + Upsell) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Room Only | S$266++ | - |
| Room with 1 ABF | S$314++ | S$298++ |
| Room with 2 ABF | S$314++ | S$330++ |
| Room with Club Access | S$327++ | S$356++ |
As you can see in the case of JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, even though a S$90++ upcharge is reasonable for club access (especially when it is a dual-occupancy room), it is actually cheaper for you to book a Deluxe Room with Club Access from the start. The difference in price between a Deluxe Room with Club Access and a Deluxe Room with Breakfast is just S$13++ and you actually get up to 4 hours of evening cocktails at the JW Marriott Singapore South Beach's Executive Lounge. It is always worthwhile to compare room rates before committing - at the time of check-in, if you decide that you would like to upgrade your room, it doesn't hurt to ask how much club access or breakfast would cost as well (you'll never know when a hotel is running promotions!).
“As we have noticed that you have not booked breakfast, I would suggest you to book breakfast prior to your arrival. Our breakfast takes place in our vibrant all-day-dining restaurant Beach Road Kitchen, and offers the widest and tantalizing Buffet spread in Singapore.
We are extending a special rate of SGD 32 per person per day, subject to taxes and service charges if you reserve it prior to your arrival - Our walk-in breakfast price is SGD 42.
Alternatively, our Club Deluxe room with access to Executive Lounge also offers a nice breakfast buffet and is a great option if you are looking for exclusivity and an enhanced experience with us.
Our Executive lounge Team will be available for any special request and serves a wide range of complimentary food and drinks throughout the day, ranging from breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails with hors d’oeuvres.
The access for our executive lounge is at SGD 90 per room per day, subject to taxes and service charges, and is highly recommended for couples or individual travellers.”
Looking for the best eSIM for tourists on your next visit to Thailand? The dtac Happy Tourist eSIM allows you to stay connected the moment you land at just USD 9.90 (or USD 6.90 if you are new to Airalo) and it will also unlock free workout classes if you sign-up for a Classpass trial.