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Step 1
What is an upgrade? First, you have to ask yourself what upgrading your hotel room means. It could mean a bigger room or a bigger bed. It could be a room on a higher level in the hotel. It could be a room with a view or away from the ice machine or elevator. Figure out what a hotel room upgrade means to you and ask for it.
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Step 2
Go directly to the source. Make your reservations directly with the hotel. When making your reservations, ask them for a hotel room upgrade. A lot of times, if you reserve directly with the hotel and ask for an upgrade, specifying what you want for your upgrade, they will give it to you. It may not be free, but they may give you a significant discount on the upgrade. By reserving directly with them, you are cutting down on their expenses of paying another source to take the reservation for them.
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Step 3
Check into your room in the early afternoon. Keep in mind that many of the business customers will be checking into their rooms around 5:00 p.m. in the evening. Try to check in at around 2:00 or 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon, when they have plenty of rooms available. You don’t want to wait until they are almost full to ask for an upgrade.
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Step 4
Show your loyalty. If this is a repeat visit, be sure to let them know before you ask for an upgrade. Many hotels will upgrade your room because they want you to be happy with your stay and they want you to come back. Repeat business is what helps them to stay in business. So don’t be afraid to let them know you are a returning customer and ask for the upgrade.
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Step 5
Meet the manager. Before checking out of your hotel room, meet the manager of the hotel. Let him or her know what you did and didn’t like about the hotel. If you are planning on returning, be sure to let them know you will come back and will recommend them to family and friends. Give him or her your business card, if you have one. The next time you book a room with the hotel, book it with the manager. Ask for the upgrade you desire and chances are good you’ll get it.
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Step 6
Will you take $20? Upgrades are not always free. If they don’t have any upgrades that are free, offer them $20 and see what kind of upgrades you can get. Sometimes, you have to offer a little money to see what you can get.
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Step 7
Write a letter. If you enjoyed your stay and your room at the hotel, be sure to write a letter letting them know. Let them know you will return and recommend them to family and friends. This may increase your chances of getting upgrades with future visits.
