Hi,

I'm going to Hawaii for my honeymoon, and I'm wondering if it's worth my while to mention that we're newlyweds upon checking in, etc. to try to get freebies/upgrades.

Is this very successful in Hawaii or are there just too many honeymooners there?

Kris

May, June, September and October forget it. Too many honeymooners paying full price for the views.

When we were in Maui (stayed at the Renaissance) - we mentioned that we were on our honeymoon - and they upgraded us another level. They were really nice about it. We had paid for an ocean view, but they upgraded us to a gorgeous corner room that was incredible. It NEVER hurts to mention it.

Yes!!! My hsuband and I just spent 10 days in Hawaii (Maui, Kuai, Honolulu) this last July. I made our reservations on-line and in the comment section I wrote that we were honeymooners. We were upgraded at every hotel (Sheraton/Westin Starwood Program) and provided free champaign in our room and drinks in the bar. So, make sure you let your travel agent know or call the hotel prior to arrival.
It's much easier to get upgrades if they know in advance. Good Luck

Call before and confirm your reservation and let the hotel know that you'll be on your honeymoon. You're more likely to get an upgrade if you give the hotel advanced notice, rather than waiting until you check in.

Tell me you are on your honeymoon.

I will tell you I'm glad you decided to spend your wedding bounty at our hotel. Thank you. Enjoy your stay. Then I'll send you to the room you reserved and paid for.

Why do you think you deserve any extras just because you are on a honeymoon? Hell, you will be on another in just a few more years!

I *will* upgrade the 50th Anniversary couple, *if* I have the room.

OK - Well, it sounds like it's worth a shot anyway.

We booked our trip way in advance & our agent filled our hotel (Sheraton Kauai) in on the fact that we were on our honeymoon.
Not only were we not offered any upgrades, they would not even give us a room with a queen or king bed like we requested- we got 2 dbl. beds that we couldn't even share- since my husband is a big guy! I had to threaten to leave & go to the Hyatt across the way if they did not produce a proper room for us. When they did move us- it was to a room with a flood in it from the bathroom, moved again...
Terrible experience w/ the Sheraton Kauai.
We were not lucky in that regard, but I guess it never hurts to mention it anyway.

The Hotel does NOT owe you an upgrade just because you are on your honeymoon. People abused this by telling desk clerks and reservationists they were on their honeymoon when in fact they were never married, had been married for years just to get an upgrade.

Hey the people who need the upgrade are the weary parents who have left their kiddies at home with grandma! They haven't had any alone time in ages. Oh no, I'm not being self-serving or anything! ; ). I say good show to anyone who can get a free upgrade!

We were just in Hawaii for our honeymoon in September. We didn't get any upgrades, even when we mentioned we were on our honeymoon. Not a big deal, but it was worth a try!

We did get free champagne a few times!

My wife and I traveled to Maui in May of 2000. On the advice of my travel agent, we waited to board the plane until everybody else was boarded, then I went to the check in counter, mentioned we were on a trip for a tenth anniversary and asked if there were any first class seats available we could possibly pay a little more for. There were some available, but for the two of us they wanted $700, a bit too much in our opinion. Just then the flight was delayed for about a half hour, so we waited in the terminal. My wife went back to the counter and started a conversation about leaving the kids at home, etc.. When the plane was ready to leave they asked us to board and discretley handed us to first class tickets and wished us happy anniversary.

Be discrete, be nice, and always ask when no one else is around.

Jim

Yes, it's worth it to mention this to the hotel BEFORE you arrive. They will often provide nice extras such as free champagne, wine, or coupons. But don't expect these things to happen just because you say the word "honeymoon".

At the Hyatt Resort on Kauai, our room was upgraded to an upper floor mountain view in a private and quiet nook of the hotel far away from the kids. This was at the end of August. If the hotel is booked solid, an upgrade may not occur.

Also, we received free wine/champagne cards and a special discount on golf course fees. In addition, you should register to the Gold Passport program - or other free hotel club program - to get extras like free hotel gym access daily (avoiding a $8 charge), and a newspaper summary delivered daily to your door.

Mention it when you book, not when you get there.

We went to Kauai and Maui for our honeymoon in July. We were upgraded at both the Renaissance and the Kea Lani in Maui. It helps to be sweet as pie when you check in, and mention it BEFORE, so it is noted on the reservation, and not when you get there.

We also got champagne delivered in both Kauai and Maui, at every place we stayed.

Deskclerk sounds bitter. The poor guy is just jealous. I guess there are a few like him, but just a few.

Thanks for all the awesome advice.

Never had a desk clerk try to sell me an upgrade, must not get very good bonuses!

On our honeymoon which included Honolulu, we got an upgrade from the Westin Sydney + champagne etc, otherwise bugger all.

To all those insisting upon paying full price and making others suffer with you:

Read Kris's original message "to try to get freebies/upgrades," notice the word try. No where does he say he is entitled to, no where does he think anyone owes this to him, no where does he says he expects such treatment, simply to try!

Doesn't everybody TRY to get something for nothing anytime you travel? Ever asked for a first class upgrade because you waited too long in a line? Ever demanded an upgrade to your room because you didn't have enough clean towels? Ever cashed in frequent flier miles? Ever used Marriott points?

It never hurts to ask for these things, and guess what...if it doesn't happen, it doesn't matter because you will still get what you paid for.

Kris, ask, ask, ask. The worst they can do is say no. I agree with the bitter folks who say, "You're not entitled to it." Just make sure you don't act like it, no one enjoys a snob unless they tip really, really big.
Reality is, most tourist places are dying for business because of the rough times for the last year or so. YOU ARE GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY to impress you enough to come back and spend your money there again. Any good hotelier will do their best, especially in the present circumstance. We are going in Jan. and our hotel is calling once every other week and asking how to make our stay more pleasant. I think they want us to come again....just maybe.
Heck, you've inspired me. I'll tell them it is our 7 year ann. and see what they do.