happytrailstoyou

Curious, isn't it, that people who describe what is, in essence, an ethical or moral issue, take umbrage when it is responded to as such?

BuffaloGirl

I've never done it and don't think I ever would, personally.

At the same time, I can't help but think "It's Vegas!!!" People wouldn't know about the "slip the clerk $20 for an upgrade" routine if it didn't happen all the time.

I can't help but think it isn't all part of the game. I realize it would be a ridiculous idea anywhere else.

I don't want to get flamed, but I'm just sayin'...........

El_Swainer

You are right buffalo girl. We expect the hotel to not cheat us when we play the tables. In return we should not cheat the hotel.

If we are offered an upgrade, that is a different story.

placeu2

Ever go to a Vegas show that has general or host seating? I absolutely promise you that a red chip or 2 to the host will get you a better seat in the showroom. Full valet lots suddenly have space when a $5 bill appears. Waits are not quite so long at restaurants, it goes on and on.

To each their own who have posted here but my guess is that some of these folks have not been to Las Vegas. Tips talk in this town, everybody knows it and lives it, management included.

placeu2

Oh and to LadyP...

You want an upgrade for 4 nights cheap? $50 is cheap for that, in fact $100 might even be reasonable. Put a Benjamin with your CC and I would place your odds at a virtual guarantee.

LadyPhoenix

Thank you for that tip, placeu2!

mrwunrfl

Check-in clerks have some discretion at what rooms they assign and I have gotten room upgrades by simply asking. At the Sahara, which I got on priceline, my eyes were stinging in the smoking room that they gave me. I called the front desk and explained that I couldn't stay there. I got moved to a huge sweet, still a smoking room but not as bad.

Money talks in Las Vegas, that is for sure. A tip may or may not get you an upgrade. If it is for one night, and it is night time when you check in, and there is a lot of availability then you have a better chance and I doubt that the hotel cares. But for 5 nights, the clerk is going to have a lot less discretion. Their management and the hotel's inventory control program is going to make it a problem for a clerk at a big place like MGM to give you a free upgrade for a week.

rb_* mentioned frequent guest programs and some of them (Westin, Hilton) can be used in Vegas). The MGM, like other casinos, has a player rating program that provides comps. In your case, you want the comp (a "free" upgrade) to be provided before you play. I am sure that this can be done.

LadyPhoenix

mrwunrfl, thanks and funny you mentioned player's club...we signed up for one 3 months ago, and today noticed an offer posted that included the time frame of our visit. I called the Direct Marketing number, and they told me that the discounted room rates were $59/night!!!!! Can't get any better than that!! We are very excited! Again thanks to everyone (including the arrogant ones) for giving their advice.

happytrailstoyou

That's fantastic. You got what you wanted while remaining every-other-inch a lady. Have fun.

mrwunrfl

Good job, that is a very good rate. Free is better, and an upgraded free room is even better. If you are going to play while you are there then you could call the hotel and ask to speak to a casino host and ask questions. Ask about a comp upgrade and what level of play you might need. Definitely use your card. Last year at the Flamingo I was at a blackjack table and was very pleased with myself that I got a comp room. I mentioned it to another player, he was playing a couple of black chips per hand, and complained that he has played a lot and never got a free room. When he asked me how I got one, I told him: "I asked". I asked a pit boss who called over a casino host who looked at the record of my plan and then arranged it with the front desk. It was not a busy night, kind of like the weekdays in the week before Xmas...

LadyPhoenix

Wow...I have even better news...when I called the Marketing Number to book our rooms, the price went down AGAIN...apparently there is a new online offer that just began 2 days ago: $49/night!

Patience is definitely a virtue!

miku

There is nothing morally or legaly wrong with the $20 trick. Clerks are allowed to accept tips, and they are allowed to give upgrades at their discretion. If you feel comfortable trying it, go for it.

One thing though, the less you pay for your room the less likely they are to offer you an upgrade.

Good job getting the deals. One place to keep checking for deals at all the hotels is www.vegashotelspecial.com

rb_travelerxATyahoo

If there is nothing with the "$20 Trick" then why don't you just state OUT LOUD and in front of the supervisor, "Can I give you and extra $20 to upgrade me to a more expensive room?"

The reaction will put to rest for once and for all how legal, moral, and acceptable this practice is.

placeu2

rb,

There are certain unwritten rules of conduct in this country...probably apply to the world.

Do you say in a loud voice outside a department store dressing room to your wife:
That dress does make you look fat!

To your boss at a meeting:
You are completely wrong, why would you think such a thing?

To your child in public:
How could you be so stupid?

etc., etc. cmon now, be realistic.

sweetsailing

I tend to agree with others that Vegas is different and has different practices than other areas of the country. I have received free upgraded rooms in Las Vegas simply by asking at the time of check in, with no manager approval and no tip.

rb_travelerxATyahoo

placeu2: Each of your examples are cases where the comment would be embarassing to the object of the remark. People keep saying here that it is normal, it is expected, it is legal, and it it moral.

So since there should be no cause for embarassment, there is no reason to be discreet in making such a <strikeout>tip</strikeout> bribe.

While there are certain unwritten rules in this country, there are the written ones too, in law, in religion, and in hotel operation manuals. They all state that stealing is wrong.

Geesh! What about this principle is so hard to understand???

LadyPhoenix

Naysayers, kindly put a plug in it. Helpers, thanks again for your assistance. Now we just got to find competitive airline prices....

manduss

I'm catching this a bit late, but here are my comments:
Most places will give you a perfectly above-board upgrade for $20 a night upon check-in. Not for a $20 tip(or even $100), but as an upgrade fee. This can be an upgrade to a room with a view or a nicer room in general.
If you want to tip the check-in clerk, please do, but don't expect to get a room upgrade based upon that. I think there is a lot of grey area in what exactly a 'room upgrade' is, too. Was tuscanlifeedit's 'nice king room' an upgrade? Since the hotel wasn't mentioned, a 'nice king room' might have been what you were already slated for whether you knew it or not.

You should be able to get specials at most casinos for that week that include room upgrades, food comps and FreePlay. It is the slowest time in Vegas.
As you are learning, as long as you booked your room through the casino, you can always rebook at a lower rate or with a better offer until 48 before you arrive (sometimes 72 hours), without penalty. The $49/nt will be hard to beat on the Strip.

A few years ago I booked a special at the MGM for $89/nt in September with various comps and a Bungalo Suite upgrade (based upon availability). When I checked in, they were out of Bongalo Kings and upgraded me to a Celebrity Spa Suite.

Have Fun,
Mark