The Great 'Hotel staff, tell us how to get upgraded' Hunt

hushpuppy

debt_free_soon wrote: »

A slightly unorthadox way worked well for me, whilst staying at a nice hotel in San Francisco earlier in the year I ended up getting a little inebriated with the reservations manager on the first night of my stay (she was off duty and the hotel had a nice bar!!)
Came back in after doing the touristy stuff the next day to discover there was nothing in my room, all my cases were gone etc.
Went down to reception and found that she'd upgraded me to a junior suite for the rest of my stay.

As I say, a slightly different way of going about it, but worth it!

BRILLIANT:beer:

HappySad

Great thread. My family hotel whenever there is a special deal on and would love to know how to get a better deal and upgrade where ever possible.

Thanks MSErs

Cumbrian_Male

debt_free_soon wrote: »

A slightly unorthadox way worked well for me, whilst staying at a nice hotel in San Francisco earlier in the year I ended up getting a little inebriated with the reservations manager on the first night of my stay (she was off duty and the hotel had a nice bar!!)
Came back in after doing the touristy stuff the next day to discover there was nothing in my room, all my cases were gone etc.
Went down to reception and found that she'd upgraded me to a junior suite for the rest of my stay.

As I say, a slightly different way of going about it, but worth it!

Maybe she was hoping to visit you later in the week?;)

Mrs_Ryan

I got upgraded recently when I stayed in the Mayfair hotel in London - it really was my birthday weekend so I casually happened to mention that in an email I sent to them (about something else!!) before check in. It was a Sunday though so I expect it was fairly quiet - thats one thing I've noticed from when I worked in a hotel.
Sunday was ALWAYS the quietest day so quite often thats when upgrades/cheap offers are more likely to be available.

Headieboy

I took my wife to a hotel in the Lake District for our anniversary in May. It was a hotel she had spotted on Trip Advisor. I splashed out and paid for a luxury room I couldn't really afford tbh but it was a special occasion. Emailed them a few days before to say I'd be arriving early (before normal check-in time) and would it be ok to park the car in their car park & also to book a table in the restaurant. Mentioned it was our anniversary in the email and when we got there we had the room that everyone on Trip Advisor said was the best and there was a nice 'Happy Anniversary' card in the room too.

A friend always books a mid range room but emails or phones the hotel to ask for flowers or wine in the room saying it's a special occasion. He got picked up in a limo at JFK Airport a few years back using this method! I think the best advice is be polite and not expect an upgrade.

kim_kat

I work in a small, independent hotel on reception, and often offer guests an upgrade. However, it is at the receptionist's discretion (as with most hotels), how these are offered and any costs associated.

1. If we are quiet, then many guests are upgraded from single to double rooms.
2. If the guest is staying only 1, maybe 2 nights, they may be upgraded to the new wing.
3. Many people who ask for upgrades are not nice, or then object when an extra cost is involved, so the majority of the time, they stay in the original rooms.
4. If you pay a discounted rate, you will be at the back of the upgrade queue.
5. If you book through a travel agent and pay through them, you are unlikely to receive an upgrade, as more often than not the hotel only receives a small amount of what you pay- the rest goes to the agent.
6. If you are an important guest, you are likely to be upgraded at no extra charge.
7. If you are part of a company, there is generally a corporate rate in place that sees you pay slightly less for a better room.
8. Mentioning a special occasion does depend on availability.
9. Many hotels will require a small 'upgrade charge', this tends to be standard procedure, especially if you are paying a lower rate or the better room is a few classes above yours. However, this charge can often be haggled.
10. If you are offered a discounted rate or an upgrade, NEVER go back to that hotel expecting the same treatment again. More often than not, the hotel would have been quiet or the receptionist in a good mood, and if you get someone different the next time, saying ' but so and so gave me a better deal' will not get you anywhere!

Generally, if you want the better room (say for a special occasion), it is best to book it in the first place to avoid disappointment. If you are complaining, then be nice to the receptionist as it is unlikely to have been their fault.

Mark_Hewitt

Does mentioning that you are on your honeymoon help? Next April I will be!

keyholekate

Keyholekate says thanks for the info. Could you please tell me why single travellers have to pay a supplement when only occupying a single room? I can understand if one was occupying a double room. This has happened to me on numerous occasions. The rooms are not the best either. If I want a decent room I have to pay for an upgrade to a double room on top of the single supplement.

Ginger_Nut

Any one know how to up grade in a 5 star plus in dubai?

Blue264

want2Bdebtfree wrote: »

I work in a small independent hotel and always upgrade all guests if possible. However, guests are reminded that if they have booked a single room we cannot always guarentee a double in future, nor from double to suite etc. Generally, guests who attend on a regular basis will get better rooms.

Having worked on hotel reception and now booking hotels all over the World, this is the general rule of thumb because on the day of arrival, you can see what rooms are left available and it's far easier to sell a standard room to a walk in guest than a deluxe or exec. What is lost on the room rate can usually be made back of the food and beverage side of the business when you have full occupancy.

As has been said in other posts, hotel chain members and VIP's are first priority for upgrades followed by regular guests, especially if their records show that they dine inhouse and are nice people. Good manners still goes a hell of a long way in the hotel business and there are still a lot of hotels that go above and beyond with their customer service. I do find that independent hotels are the best for this, but for unrequested upgrades I find that Marriott are one of the best chains.

Oh...and I shouldn't forget the payment method. Black AMEX cards speak volumes It's rare you see them but when you do, you immediately have a sneaky look to which suites are vacant.