I used Priceline twice in the past year for a hotel in Wichita. On the first trip, the room was OK...especially since I only paid $25 a night. It was in an older part of the hotel, but again...$25.

The second trip, same hotel, the room again was OK...especially for $35 a night. The third night of a four night stay was disturbed by a huge party and we asked to be moved someplace quieter for our last night.

Last night - tower room, very, very nice. We couldn't believe we were in the same hotel.

Long story short, I do believe that certain rooms are reserved for Priceline folks. We will probably not stay in that hotel again, but for the price, we wouldn't think of complaining.

Thanks, R5, now your example makes sense. And I agree with you that lots of life's transactions involve negotiation.

I feel comfortable asking for upgrades or a better price in places where I frequently do business. I don't otherwise. And it wouldn't occur to me to ask for a hotel/airline upgrade if I paid a bottomfeeder price. (I do use the discounters.)

This thread has been interesting. Lots of different insights.

reneeinva, you make a good point, and I will rephrase my original thoughts about feeling cheap slipping a bill to the desk clerk.

If I have asked if I can get a nicer room, and the clerk does so, then sure, nothing wrong with a tip.
But if I slip them a fiver as I say, "any possibility of gettin a better room?", then I think that seems cheap. It's like saying, "I know you'll only do this if I pay you, so here. . ." Or even worse, when someone has asked for a better room and the clerk says sorry, that's all they have, then the customer slips some money. That's like saying, "Here, you liar, bet this will change your mind." That's the one I really find insulting.

I've never had the courage to ask for 1 one. I've been given one about 3 times in the past 2 years. Most recent was last week.

Exactly, Patrick!

Priceline room has been the same as full priced booked room for me. I've never gotten the "bad" room. Maybe I have been lucky, but have used them maybe 5 ot 6 times in that many years. Two times I have asked not for an UPGRADE, but for one more day at something other than full price because they were half empty and I needed to stay one more day. Most times, I don't use discount brokers, only other program I have been in was Starwood one. And I have paid full priced quite a bit too. Any scenario- I just don't ask for upgrades to more expensive rooms- it never really mattered to me all that much.

The one time I did get the "bad" room was for a very FULL priced stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge in Disney World. I had requested savannah room, very rare for me to make any special request, and got a room by the elevators after a wait to check in. Sometimes, the places are so packed and people do decide to stay on longer, and someone does get the "bad" room. But if it is an acceptable room, I just couldn't ask for a free upgrade every time. Could not do the bribe thing either.

Interesting Patrick, and I agree-
there is a "line" one crosses that
leaves behind consideration of the other person.
R5

message:travelinandgolfin
I really didnt mean to offend anyone but I now feel the need to explain in more detail.
First, I dont consider myself a cheap person and I try to be respectful of others. Im not a frequent traveler. I have only been to Vegas a few times and to Flordia to visit my daughter. My husband and I never went anywhere alone when my son was little as he had a life threatening illness and I was afraid to leave him. Hes stable now and attends college. I have been married 25 years this October so I really charish the time that I spend with my husband.We are also theraapeutic foster parents so we are really happy when we are on vacation.
I consider myself happy by nature and I work with special needs preschoolers.
When I am checking into the hotel,I dont just throw them 20 dollars. I talk with the rececptionist a while and usually they are very friendly.Yes, believe it or not I would tip them for being nice and courteous. Many of you may reply by saying they are paid to be polite,etc. Well then I suggest some reading. Try going to trip advisor and read some of the many Las Vegas hotel reviews. So many of them commet on rudeness by the front desk staff.
Regardless of anyones opinion, I will continue to tip. If by chance we receive a nicer view or better room so be it.
Mary

On our most recent trip, my husband was thrilled to get a free comb from the front desk when he asked for one. LOL! Does that count?

;-)

I'm a happy gal tonight. Get to go to my favorite tapas joint. I'll drink to everyone, 'specially my friends in Ivan's way. Take care!

marykc, it's a public board and at times, words can convey a false impression. I doubt if anyone took offense.

For me, I was just surprised at your initial description of slipping the guy the 20 with your credit card. Sort of like, "here's a 20. what can you do for me?" That to me takes a lot of guts.

Now tipping AFTER the fact, for an upgrade or polite service, is another matter.

But this is all opinion. From the responses here, it's quite apparent that there are a variety of ways people view this practice.

The only place I've ever seen the tipping upfront is in the movies--You know, when the hero goes to the hot new restaurant but miraculously there's this perfect table that was going to go completely unused if he didn't slip the guy a fiver!

Sundown<
Apparently you've never been to a show in Las Vegas where you buy a ticket and then are shown to your seat at a table. Not tipping that person definitely means you're NOT getting a great table! I actually liked the theater seating at the Mirage and Bellagio this past trip when I had picked my seats and knew exactly where we were going to sit. Avoiding getting there really early, waiting and then having to "ask" for a good table were all eliminated!!!

teacher - what did you do to get the seats that you picked?

I briefly considered asking the airlines to take pity on me and upgrade me to First Class because I am from Florida and I have Hurricane Anxiety LOL
But I then thought of those who really do have it and felt bad...so I will just be happy to take what I get :)

MMS- It was in Colorado, was that you? :)

I actually got scolded from my manager at that hotel for giving this woman & her kids a nicer room. They asked me if I knew how much more expensive it was for us to clean that room vs. her original room type. I thought they were pretty uncompassionate jerks after that, completely different attitude than the larger chain I had previously worked at.

The shows I saw were in theaters like a Broadway play (Danny Gans, O, and Wayne Brady at the Mirage) therefore I could see online the theater while talking on the phone with the sales rep. It certainly made it a better experience than our visit 4 yrs. ago.

Lenleigh--Ok, not CO so guess it wasn't you. It was in Modesto, CA...kids and I were down visiting dh while he was stationed in San Diego and we were driving back to my parents in the bay area. Our brand new brakes failed and left us stranded. Mom was on jury duty and dad was traveling on business so they couldn't come rescue us, lol! I cannot tell you how appreciative we were of everyone that helped out that day...every single person we came into contact with were like angels!

I was upgraded once to first class on a flight without asking (I've never been bold enough to ask). Everyone in a long line was complaining about the delay and I wasn't in a hurry (enjoying the jamba juice and people watching in the San Fran airport). I think he upgraded me because I was the only friendly person he'd seen in a while!!

I've never tried to slip anyone a tip for an upgrade. However if I know there is a perk I might like to have that I don't necessarily expect to receive, I might ask if it's available after a little friendly conversation. For example, our honeymoon was in Grand Cayman during the off season. The hotel wasn't full, so I asked and received a room w/a balcony even though we hadn't paid for it. I would never expect anything, but if you have a friendly conversation going and you know the hotel well (what perks you might like that could be available), I don't think there is anything wrong with asking nicely. In fact, I think you are crazy not to (unless you're super rich and can afford every imaginable perk up front!) - if you have the guts to ask - good for you!!

No, i never feel cheap asking for an upgrade and i do every time, regardless if corporate or pleasure. It's my money (or my co) and the front desk expects it from savvy, frequent travelers. As in any business, the client / vendor / customer knows why you're there, its no big surprise lol And its not so much 'what' you say but 'how' you say it. Its been my experience that most people are very nice and willing to help IF you're nice to them. Having a sincerely friendly, brief convo first and then casually asking if an upgrade is possible (especially noting the hotel seems to be quiet)is usually all it takes.