How to Get a Hotel-Room Upgrade

Sometimes upgrading your hotel room is possible, and sometimes it's not. Your chances depend on a combination of the available space, your arrival time and luck.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Luggage Sets
• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Airline Tickets
• Frequent-flier Programs

1. Establish loyalty by always choosing the same hotel in cities you visit often. Being friendly with the front-desk staff never hurts.
2. Ask about freebies and other specials when you book your reservation. If you don't ask, you usually don't get.
3. Join frequent-visitor programs at the chain hotels you visit. Your points earn upgrades and free stays along with other perks.
4. Organize reunions, meetings or conventions at your favorite hotel. Lots of hotels say thanks with credit for upgrades or free nights, either at the time of the event or at a later date.
5. Trade airline frequent-flier points for upgrades at participating hotels. But weigh this option carefully'it's rarely the most cost-effective way to spend frequent-flier credits.
6. Be vocal. If the room you were assigned isn't satisfactory'unclean, noisy or lacking the view you were promised'ask for an upgrade.
7. Offer to be appeased. If the staff makes a mistake that causes a delay or distress'say they misplace your luggage or, in a worst-case scenario, fail to make your room safe'make it known that an upgrade will help you forget all about the bad experience.
8. Take a chance on luck. Once in a while, you'll be in the right place at the right time. Budget rooms sometimes get overbooked, and the lucky guest who gets bumped up to the executive floor could turn out to be you.

Tips & Warnings

• Friendliness and charm may help encourage a hotel clerk to go the extra mile for you.