The Trick to Getting a Free Room Upgrade at a Hotel
When searching for a hotel, travelers often look for the best deals and if these include an upgrade to a higher category room, the feeling of success is complete. However, these advantages don't usually fall from the sky, and having a trick to secure them can help turn our dreams into reality.
Just to remind anyone who might be confused, hotels, regardless of their category, typically have different types of rooms; from the simplest (the standard ones) to actual paradises in the form of penthouses or luxury suites. And, obviously, the rates are drastically different.
Now, do you know it's possible to get an upgrade with some tricks and without spending a dime? Before discovering them, it's helpful to recall when I stayed at The Mirage Casino Hotel in Las Vegas and was offered an upgrade from a standard room to a two-bedroom suite. What was the price difference? Over 600 euros, of which I didn't pay a penny.
It all started when I arrived at 2 PM to check in at the hotel. Check-in was supposed to be from 3 PM, but my goal was to drop off my luggage and start exploring the Strip. The reception staff, once all my identification documents were provided, began making calls. One after another. Until, finally, they explained what was happening. My room, due to circumstances beyond their control, wouldn't be available until 4 PM, and they offered me several alternatives. On one hand, I could wait for 4 PM and enter the reserved room (the cheapest, to be honest) or wait a bit longer (until 7 PM) and get an upgrade to a suite. You already know what I chose... and yes, staying in a suite in Las Vegas has been one of the strangest experiences I've ever had.
How to Get a Room Upgrade?
Now that I've shown you that upgrades really exist and are not just urban legends, it's time to explore some tricks that might help us reach our goal, which we'll call: mission upgrade.
The trick that usually works best is to arrive at just the right moment to check in. Not too early, and not too late. Timely travelers queue up to enter their rooms as soon as possible, while if you arrive at the last moment, most stays will already be occupied. Arriving in the mid-afternoon, when the reception is less busy, is always a sure bet. The secret is to leave any embarrassment behind and directly ask if there's a possibility of an upgrade. Here, the saying 'who doesn't ask, doesn't get' should be etched in your mind.
This way of requesting an upgrade isn't the only one, so we're going to share other ideas you can put into practice. While they aren't foolproof, they can work on certain occasions:
- If you're visiting a new hotel, sending them an email before your arrival requesting an upgrade can be an option, as sometimes newly opened establishments struggle to retain their guests.
- Hotel loyalty programs often offer benefits such as upgrades, free breakfasts, and even free nights. Inquire before making your reservation.
- When staying for short periods, you are more likely to benefit from a room upgrade, as their 'financial losses' will be lower.
Politeness and discretion are key when requesting these upgrades. If you ask for an upgrade with other guests around, you're almost guaranteed to be denied, as the hotel won't take the risk of causing a call effect where all guests want to improve their conditions.
Maintaining a cordial relationship with housekeepers is also important, as they can inform you about rooms with better views or less noise. Sometimes you don't need to upgrade to enjoy a better stay, as a nice view of the destination or corner rooms can provide an extra benefit for the same price.
Lastly, if you're celebrating something special during your stay, it's a good idea to write to the establishment to let them know. When you arrive, they may have left a little something in the room (like champagne or some fruit) or, even better, assigned you a much better room... without increasing the rate!