Even if you don’t have status, here are five tips that may help you snag a free upgrade to a more luxurious room:
- Join one or more hotel loyalty programs.
- Avoid travel sites and book directly with the hotel.
- Ask staff for a hotel room upgrade.
- Let staff know if you have an issue.
- Plan your stay during the off-season.
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How do you ask for an upgrade in a hotel?
‘You can increase your chance of an upgrade by informing the front desk of a special occasion, anniversary, or birthday — and by being sincere and kind to the front desk staff,’ he says. However, never take advantage of your accommodations by fabricating a celebration. Being honest is key.
Is it OK to ask for a free upgrade at a hotel?
After a long day of travel, one of the most welcome bit of news you can get is that your hotel is giving you a free upgrade. That upgrade can come in different forms, such as extra amenities, complimentary access to services, or, ideally, a bigger and better room.
Here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks to getting a hotel upgrade. VARADERO, MATANZAS, CUBA – 2022/06/23: The beautiful gardens in the Melia Las Antillas hotel or, tourist resort. (Photo by Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images) LightRocket via Getty Images Ask Nicely. This may be a given but asking nicely is one way to possibly get an upgrade.
Plus, being genuinely polite is just an excellent way to start your stay. Depending on the hotel, travel season and availability, your accommodations could get a nice bump. You may also mention if you are visiting for a special occasion. Hotels like to help their guests celebrate and may be able to offer bonuses.
Consider Your Hotel Location. Planning your stay, including the check-in time, can also help increase your chances of an upgrade. You don’t want to ask in the middle of the day when everyone is trying to check out. Checking in later in the day can be better as the staff will have a better idea of what is available.
Plus, consider your location. If you are staying in a business area, you have a better chance of getting an upgrade on a Friday or Saturday, as the hotel is likely busier with business travelers during the week. Stay For Several Nights It also helps if you are going to be staying multiple nights.
- The hotel will be more likely to provide an upgrade if they know you will be spending money using their services, especially if they have a spa or upscale restaurant attached to the property.
- There may be more availability later in your stay.
- If you don’t an upgrade initially, you might want to try asking again a few days in.
You may also mention that you don’t mind switching rooms should something become available. Visit A New Hotel. New hotels are often trying to build buzz for their properties. You may have a better chance of getting an upgrade as they are looking for people to generate positive reviews.
Loyalty Status Can Help. Joining a hotel loyalty program and staying several times can help you build status. Another way of getting automatic elite status easily and quickly is with a co-brand hotel credit card. Elite status usually means perks like late checkout, complimentary room upgrades when available, and free nights.
Book With The Hotel Directly. Using a third-party site can limit what can and can’t be done with your reservation. Engaging with the hotel directly can help improve your chances of an upgrade. If you can call or email the hotel, they may also be able to provide promotions.
- Let them know how thrilled you are about an upcoming stay.
- Summary A complimentary room upgrade is a privilege and can be based on availability and employee ability.
- Additionally, an upgrade can mean different things at different properties.
- For instance, upgrading can mean a room with a better view, a bigger room or a few extra perks like late checkout or free drinks.
Hopefully, these tips will help you on your next hotel stay. Related Articles:
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Do hotels upgrade you on your birthday?
Travel on your birthday – Birthdays are extra special, and nice hotels are just itching for a way to make guests feel warm and fuzzy. “We love celebrating and recognizing special days, so make sure to let us know if there is a member of your party that is celebrating a birthday,” tells Nils. marla dawn studio/Shutterstock
Can you ask for upgrade at boarding?
5. Ask for an upgrade at check-in – It’s seems too good to be true, but politely asking for an upgrade at check-in desk sometimes does the trick. With online check-in becoming more and more popular, there are fewer people asking the question “if you are upgrading passengers on this flight, I would like to be considered”, hence increasing your chance to score a premium seat on the plane.
Can you call a hotel and ask for an upgrade?
You may have a better chance of getting an upgrade if: You are staying at the hotel for a special occasion like a milestone birthday or anniversary and you call ahead to ask. Of course, there are no guarantees. Your success may depend on who you talk to, what their mood is like that day and how nicely you ask.
Should I check-in if I want an upgrade?
Checking in early increases your chances of getting an upgrade from admin staff if the flight’s overbooked. If they know you intend to travel they can upgrade you in advance, so they won’t need to shuffle around the upgrades at the airport. It also means if you don’t get an upgrade, it’s easier to choose the best seat.
Should I ask for an upgrade at check-in?
When are the best times to ask for a flight upgrade? – The key to purchasing an upgrade—either using miles or cash—is doing so in advance. The sooner, the better. Initially, passengers can contact their airline post-booking a flight to check for any paid upgrade availability.
The next best option is to ask at the check-in desk of your flight. If all else fails, don’t give up just yet! There are almost always passengers in business or first class who fail to make their flight. Therefore, before a flight starts boarding, you can check with a gate agent to see if this scenario is playing out on your flight.
And if so, tell them that you’re interested in paying for an upgrade. For a final try, if that also fails, you can ask the lead flight attendant or flight attendant at the boarding door. Bobby Laurie, a former flight attendant and travel expert, emphasizes that “you should ask prior to door closure, but don’t be surprised if they don’t move you until after you’re in the air if they’re going to grant your request.”
Do hotels know if you bring more guests?
Why do hotels ask how many guests are staying in your room? – Hotels ask how many guests will be staying in your room for multiple reasons. In some cases, a hotel may be charging based on how many guests are occupying a room. But in other cases, a hotel may request that information so that they can ensure they are complying with the fire code, or so that in the event of an emergency they will know how many guests should be accounted for.
How do I write a letter to a hotel for an upgrade?
Hotel Upgrade Template — Points Passport We created and tested our “Hotel Upgrade Template” to go from a 1 King City View Low Floor to the Bungalow Pool View with a Private balcony overlooking Tropicale, Eden Pool, and Miami Beach during our stay at the Miami Beach EDITION! 1) Use the below template by copy +paste into your email editor (ie: Gmail).2) Replace with your information 3) Search for a relevant email address at your hotel.
- Most hotels have an “[email protected]” email address and they’ll forward it to the appropriate address internally.4) Send this email 1-2 weeks before your stay for the best results.
- Some hotels can accommodate requests closer to your stay.
- REMINDER: Please do not use this on every stay! Save it for truly special occasions.
NOTE: Sometimes hotels won’t be able to accommodate an upgrade. You may get a welcome amenity such as a bottle of champagne, wine, chocolates, etc. If a hotel can accommodate an upgrade, it’ll most likely be confirmed at check-in so don’t worry if you get a generic response initially.
- Send To: [email protected], etc.
- Call and ask for the concierge’s email if you can’t find any relevant email addresses on the hotel’s website.
- Subject: “Celebrating at the ” Hello, have reservations to stay at the on,
- The confirmation number is, and the reservation is booked under my name,,
- My loyalty number is:,
excited to celebrate at the ! Would it be possible to request a “happy note” or something similar upon arrival to take back as a souvenir? If the note could say something like “Dear, Welcome to the, We hope you have a wonderful stay and enjoy your time in,” I would greatly appreciate it! I believe my status may qualify for an upgrade.
How do I ask for a cabin upgrade?
Ask your cruise line for a cruise cabin upgrade – Rendering of Norwegian Prima top deck (Photo/Norwegian Cruise Line) If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right? You really have nothing to lose by calling your cruise line and asking the question: “Is there a possibility of a cruise cabin upgrade?” If you’re willing to pay for a cruise cabin upgrade, call your agent or cruise line about two weeks before departure.
How do I ask my cabin crew for an upgrade?
Bobby Laurie, a travel expert and former American Airlines flight attendant, has offered some top advice for people angling to get a free upgrade while on a flight Ask the attendant very nicely ( Image: Hero Images) A flight attendant has shared the best time to ask for a free upgrade when flying. In recent years air travel has become more and more affordable in the West, with many Ryanair and easyJet flights on sale for the price of a light city centre lunch.
At the same time ultra-luxury air travel has been getting fancier. Among those pushing the envelope is Singapore Airlines, which has a first class suite comparable to an on-land hotel room. Give that forking out for mini-living rooms in the sky is beyond the finances of most of us, charming your way to a better seat is the best way to go.
Getting a free upgrade is not easy ( Image: Getty Images) Bobby Laurie, a travel expert and former American Airlines flight attendant, told Travel + Leisure the best time to ask for a little luxury treatment is as you’re getting on the aircraft. He said: “You should ask the lead flight attendant or the flight attendant at the boarding door.
You should ask prior to door closure, but don’t be surprised if they don’t move you until after you’re in the air if they’re going to grant your request.” Members of the cabin crew need to make sure that everyone’s on the plane and in their seat before moving anyone up a class. If there’s spare seats in first or business class, then passengers will have a better opportunity to make the move from economy – but it may cost you.
Susan Fogwell, a former flight attendant, also told Travel + Leisure that free upgrades are rare and passengers will usually have to pay. She said: “If a flight attendant moved a passenger from one class to another, the flight attendant would not have a job for long,” It’s not the first time cabin crew have shared tips on bagging the holy grail of travel.
Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz previously revealed that there are outfits which are sure to keep you firmly in economy, There’s a chance you’ll be charged for the upgrade ( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Miguel said: “I would say dirty clothes 100%. Sometimes passengers come on board looking scruffy, smelly, with stains on their T-shirts, etc.
“You can tell when they come straight from the beach and they haven’t changed. I’ve even seen passengers boarding the plane in flip-flops and sandy feet! “It’s obviously not nice to have passengers like these and I would never upgrade them to the first class if I could.
How do you qualify for an upgrade?
What credit score do I need for an Upgrade personal loan? – You’ll generally need a credit score of 560 or higher to get an Upgrade personal loan. Keep in mind that you’re not guaranteed to get a loan if you have a higher credit score than that; you’ll need to meet Upgrade’s other personal loan requirements, too, such as a stable income.
How can I get first class without paying?
How to Get an Upgrade on a Domestic Flight – Getty Images Most airlines market their premium cabin on domestic flights as “first class,” and these are typically spacious armchair-like seats on narrow-body aircraft (those with one aisle). The best way to get upgraded to first class for free is to earn elite airline status,
- Complimentary upgrades are offered to frequent fliers on all the major airlines, although not necessarily on every route.
- United, for instance, does not offer its elite members a free upgrade on its “premium” transcontinental routes, which include Newark–Los Angeles, Newark–San Francisco, and Boston–San Francisco — these routes have flat-bed business-class seats rather than first-class armchair seats.
Delta, on the other hand, does offer free upgrades on transcontinental routes with lie-flat seats, including flights to Hawaii. If you have elite status with your airline, all you have to do is make sure to request a complimentary upgrade for your booking before your flight or as you’re checking in (specific methods vary by airline).
Upgrades are given out based on availability, and the list for those limited seats has a specific hierarchy. Top-tier elites rank highest, while other factors like having an airline-branded credit card come into play, too. Your complimentary upgrade could clear any time from a few days before your flight to the moment you scan your boarding pass.
In some rare cases, you might even be called to the front after you’ve taken your seat in economy, If you don’t have status, you can still score an upgrade, but you’ll have to pay for it. Many airlines offer upgrade deals if there’s availability in the first-class cabin, which can be paid in money or miles — choosing to pay with miles means you’d technically be getting the upgrade for free.
Can you get upgraded if you check-in online?
Be early – Many airlines establish an upgrade wait list based on check-in times, with priority given to those who checked in first. The option to check-in online is usually available at least 24 hours before departure for most airlines, so the earlier you can get yourself checked in, the better.
Is it cheaper to upgrade to first class after booking?
Buy an Upgrade with Miles, Points, or Cash – The cheapest way to get a business or first-class ticket is to buy an economy ticket then buy an upgrade. You can either do this immediately after booking or look for last-minute upgrades as your travel date approaches.
- The price for premium cabin fares decreases as you get closer to departure.
- To see your upgrade options, go to your airline’s app or website, open your reservation, and click on “Upgrade Options.” You can also take advantage of a last-minute upgrade while checking in on your app or at the airline kiosk.
To upgrade your ticket with miles or points, either do it in the original booking process or after you have purchased an economy ticket on your airline’s booking portal. Just be sure to do the math and make sure it’s actually a good deal. Remember that airlines are trying to maximize their revenue per seat.
Can you upgrade if you’ve checked in?
Most airlines assume that all frequent flyers want to apply for upgrades, so you get put into the queue as soon as you buy your ticket. Checking in and choosing a Coach seat will not prevent you from being upgraded. What are the options for a passenger who has missed his connecting flight due to long security checks?
How do I write a letter to a hotel for an upgrade?
Hotel Upgrade Template — Points Passport We created and tested our “Hotel Upgrade Template” to go from a 1 King City View Low Floor to the Bungalow Pool View with a Private balcony overlooking Tropicale, Eden Pool, and Miami Beach during our stay at the Miami Beach EDITION! 1) Use the below template by copy +paste into your email editor (ie: Gmail).2) Replace with your information 3) Search for a relevant email address at your hotel.
Most hotels have an “[email protected]” email address and they’ll forward it to the appropriate address internally.4) Send this email 1-2 weeks before your stay for the best results. Some hotels can accommodate requests closer to your stay. REMINDER: Please do not use this on every stay! Save it for truly special occasions.
NOTE: Sometimes hotels won’t be able to accommodate an upgrade. You may get a welcome amenity such as a bottle of champagne, wine, chocolates, etc. If a hotel can accommodate an upgrade, it’ll most likely be confirmed at check-in so don’t worry if you get a generic response initially.
- Send To: [email protected], etc.
- Call and ask for the concierge’s email if you can’t find any relevant email addresses on the hotel’s website.
- Subject: “Celebrating at the ” Hello, have reservations to stay at the on,
- The confirmation number is, and the reservation is booked under my name,,
- My loyalty number is:,
excited to celebrate at the ! Would it be possible to request a “happy note” or something similar upon arrival to take back as a souvenir? If the note could say something like “Dear, Welcome to the, We hope you have a wonderful stay and enjoy your time in,” I would greatly appreciate it! I believe my status may qualify for an upgrade.
How do you politely ask for a seat upgrade?
Ask politely and directly. Randy Petersen recommends something as simple as ‘ If you are upgrading passengers on this flight, I would like to be considered.’ Inserting the word ‘please’ won’t hurt you either. Travel Smarter!
How do I ask for a cabin upgrade?
Ask your cruise line for a cruise cabin upgrade – Rendering of Norwegian Prima top deck (Photo/Norwegian Cruise Line) If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right? You really have nothing to lose by calling your cruise line and asking the question: “Is there a possibility of a cruise cabin upgrade?” If you’re willing to pay for a cruise cabin upgrade, call your agent or cruise line about two weeks before departure.