How to Get a Free Room Upgrade
Asking for a free upgrade can be an awkward experience. However, until you ask, you'll never know. There are many factors involved in a hotel's ability to upgrade you, especially for free. Many people attempt to secure an upgrade complaining about service or flaws they encounter. While many times this works, unless you plan to never return to that hotel, try to avoid this as you'll likely end up endlessly in their system flagged as a "problem guest". The best approach to earning a free upgrade is to communicate with the staff before, upon arrival and throughout your stay.
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Instructions
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Pre-Arrival
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Call or email the hotel's general manager or front office manager about two weeks before your arrival. Introduce yourself and explain that you are really excited to stay at his property. If you are celebrating something special, let the staff know, but be honest. Special occasions usually inspire them to send you an bottle of champagne or fruit basket rather than provide an upgrade.
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Provide the hotel with the details of the type of room you booked, and mention that you would like to be placed in a nicer room if they have the availability. Since most hotels "up-sell" or offer reduced rates for higher-end room types, they may quote you an upgrade price. If the property has a loyalty program and you are a member, let the hotel know your status in the program. Some chains automatically upgrade their top tier guests as a perk.
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Be polite and appreciative. These people get many requests each day; six out of 10 guests contact them wanting something. The key here is to let them know you are coming. A good GM or front office manager will always make notes in the reservation about each interaction she has with a guest.
Check-in
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Choose your arrival time wisely. Arriving before check-in time can sometimes work in your favor. If the hotel is near capacity, chances are not to many rooms will be ready until the published check-in time. When checking in if your room is not ready, you can always ask if there is something ready in another category. On the other hand, arriving midevening after the big arrival rush can work in your favor also. There may be a high-end room available.
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Bring something for the front desk. Let's face it, it seems like bribery, but everyone loves a good snack at work. If you have a famous cookie or chocolate in your hometown, bring it. Keep in mind that most hotels realize a huge amount of additional revenue for upgrades nowadays, so free may not be readily offered. In fact, a majority of hotels give their front desk agents a small percentage of the revenue they bring in for getting people into higher category rooms.
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Interact with your front desk agent. Avoid awkward silence. Make a with whoever is checking you in. In many properties, agents are trained to emotionally connect with their guests in order to achieve the highest loyalty and best social media comments. Take the opportunity to get to know them and their interests. Worst case scenario, you walk away with a reduced upgrade rate, a friend or both.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are given a free upgrade, be appreciative and if you have the means, tip the staff.
Stop by the desk during your stay and say hello, let the staff know how much you enjoy the room if you have the opportunity.
If you plan to return, write a note to the general manager about the positive service you received at check-in.
Suites are rarely given as free upgrades.
Avoid portraying a sense of entitlement to a free upgrade.
Avoid purchasing from large Internet discount sites unless it's too good to pass up. Rooms are blocked in most hotels by category purchased and rate paid.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit beach resort image by Kenneth Sponsler from Fotolia.com
