10 Tips to Get a FREE Room Upgrade

Scoring an upgrade at a hotel can be done, and often it is more about being polite and gracious rather than about an Andrew Jackson crossing the palms of the front desk clerk.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when looking for that FREE hotel room upgrade:

1. Manners are everything.  You’ll find a front desk clerk will be more likely to pass on an upgrade if you are polite, gracious, and engage in a bit of small talk.  A polite good afternoon, how are you will go a long way to starting the conversation off on the right foot.
2. If there’s a line up a mile long, your chances for an upgrade are not as good as if it’s a quiet time and you can engage in a little conversation.
3. Mention if it’s a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary, or if it’s a return trip to the place of your honeymoon.  But be realistic and don’t oversell it — this tip is becoming a bit overused, and an experienced front desk clerk can sniff out a ruse a mile away.
4. If you’ve just been through a grueling day, the flight from hell, had a child throw up on you on the plane, or have been through a harrowing travel day, laughingly share the experience with the front desk clerk.  Mention how great it’s going to feel to get some peace and quiet, or how much you want to take a shower and get cleaned up.  If you can face the difficulties, and come out of it with your humor intact, you are the exact kind of person they want to reward with an upgrade.
5. If the hotel is oversold, there may be less room for the clerk to offer you an upgrade as those room may have been sold at a premium price.
6. It there is a large convention group at the property, the clerk may not be able to upgrade you to a suite (they are often booked for meetings or conference social events), but you may get an upgrade to a better floor or location.  Group room blocks are often at lower prices, leaving premium room available.
7. If you are a member of the hotel’s frequent guest program you may be entitled to a guaranteed upgrade.
8. If the hotel is not your usual hotel of choice, mention that – adding that you’ve heard good things about this property and are thinking that it might be time for a change in your booking habits.  Letting people know that your business loyalty is up for grabs may attract attention.  “I’ve always used your competitor across town, but decided it was time to shop my business around.  I like what I’ve seen here so far.”
9. Just ask.  A big sigh and a gracious inquiry can often lead to an upgrade.  “I’ve had a really difficult day.  Is there a chance you can help me salvage it by helping me out with an upgrade.”
10. If this answer is no let it go.  Often times something will come up before the check in process is complete, and you don’t want to blow your chances by being an ugly blowhard.

I think the easiest upgrade I got was checking into a local hotel.  I was on a super-deep discounted rate, one that should never have seen the glimmer of a chance at an upgrade.  At check in, I greeted the woman at the front desk and engaged in some minor small talk.  She offered me a choice of two different rooms (both of which were boring, I’m certain), and asked which I’d prefer.  I smiled and told her that since I was unfamiliar with her property, that I trust her judgment, and asked her to select the room she’d choose.  There was some tapping away at the keys, and then she handed me my room packet.  As she did, she smiled and said, “I’d prefer a suite – so enjoy!”

And I did!

Photo credit: flickr