When ever we check into a hotel, we very politely ask if we can have an upgraded room. We have always been lucky and received one. My question is - should we tip for this service? Are our chances better if we put $20 on the counter as we are asking this, or should we do this after we have received an upgrade. What is the proper protocol to receive the "best possible" room.

I rorked years ago in the hospitality industry, and recently re-entered it as a part-time desk clerk just for the fun of it. Read this thread for some comments so you don't insult anyone.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...1&tid=34655283

Bottom Line: If you want,desire,demand,cannot live without the BEST possible room, pay for it.

I agree that if not getting a certain room will ruin your stay, just book it in the first place.

On the other hand, I, too, have had good luck getting upgrades by just asking nicely. It never occurred to me to tip for that; I just thank the clerk profusely. And when I haven't received an upgrade, I just thank them for trying.

I rarely ask for upgrades, since I either book what I want or I don't have a special need. However, once when I did want a great view I asked the reception clerk if I could have a room with a view. She said they were full and there wasn't much she could do for me. No problem, just taking a chance, I replied. Well, we get to the room and there is a fabulous view. I call the desk and thank her profusely. Then I called the manager and thanked him for his exceptional staff. The next day the clerk sent up champagne, fruit and chocolates with a note that people like me made her job worth doing. You just never know when things will just go right.

<<What is the proper protocol...?>>

The proper protocol is not to go through life looking for a handout.

I've never had anyone complain about a $20 fascist extortionist bribe. Works like a charm: hotel suites, beat the line at clubs, park with the season ticket holders at stadiums, upgrade to box seats, etc. I'm not saying it always works, only that if the person of authority in question CAN accomodate me, I've never had them sneer because I was offering a Jackson for them to do it.

And, it actually is the purest form of a "tip" which was coined as "To Insure Proper Service". Giving a tip at the end of service doesn't insure it. You just perhaps, happened to get it, and often we don't and still "tip". Offering it up front insures that it makes it's way back into my pocket if I don't get what I want.

In response to Loki's comments, a few years ago, the maitre d' at the Four Seasons Restaurant was very gracious and helpful when I was making reservations for a very special dinner. Upon entering the dining room on the evening in question, I offered $20 as he guided us to our table. Instead of accepting the money at that point, he responded in words to the effect, "Wait until after you've finished and give it to me then if you still feel I deserve it."

Not everyone can be bought.

Nice to hear.

What are you gonna do, Loki, if some day someone "accepts" one of your "tips" and you get to the room and it is NOTHING SPECIAL?

Go to management and ask for it's return?? Good luck! I can only wonder if you've ever had people who worked for you and what your thoughts were about them giving away your property for their PERSONAL gain.

When you tip a server, you're at least hoping they give you something of themselves, better service.

When you "tip" a clerk, you're hoping they give you something that belongs to their employer, along with a big slice of their integrity.

If you call a dogs tail a leg, then how many legs does a dog have?

Four of course. Calling its tail a leg doesn't make it so, anymore than your "tip".

Loki...As I said in the thread rb referenced...if he's caught, he's gone. It is a bribe, not a tip. Further, most hotels are operated with very sophisticated computer programs these days. Rates are tracked daily and there has to be good reason for a suite coming in below it's normal rate. Most upgrades are to views or better floors, larger rooms, not suites.

I don't know what stadium you go to, but ours has color coded parking passes. You don't pass just one person directing you into your slot, you pass close to a dozen and without that valid pass hanging on your rear view mirror, your're not going anywhere! I suspect there was more than a little hot air in that post!

"When you tip a server, you're at least hoping they give you something of themselves, better service."

Wow, that is unusual. I thought most of us tipped AFTER the service, not when we sit down. Even though I understand the original TIPS stood for "to insure proper service", that sure isn't what it is today. We tip to reward service, not insure it.

I'm amazed how many people have tried to twist the original question. No one is talking about DEMANDING a better room, nor even NEEDING a better room. Nor does the idea imply that travelpat is LOOKING FOR A HANDOUT. Are the rest of you suggesting that once you book a standard room and arrive that you wouldn't like it if they upgraded your room? If someone is going to be upgraded for free, why not you? Or are you naysayers suggesting you would tell them "no thank you, I don't accept anything I didn't pay for"? Kind of hard to swallow.

And personally, if I asked for an upgrade and was given one (major--like from a standard to a suite, for example), I'd return to the clerk after being shown the room and then reward him with the $20. I think slipping him a $20 before hand is kind of devious and sleazy, to be honest. In many, many cases the hotel may be full and already fully "upgraded", so they really can't upgrade you and you're sort of saying to them, "I don't believe you, you can upgrade me if you want to".

Patrick, I agree with you completely. And I also like cmcfong's rewarding the clerk in question by complimenting her to her manager--nice!

Going through life with a "jackson" (please!) in your hand seems a bit sleazy to me.

An article in today's (Albany NY) Times Union ( http://timesunion.com/AspStories/sto...date=8/25/2005 ) titled " A track tip that really costs you" ("Longtime maitre d' fired as NYRA pursues complaints that it takes a big gratuity to get a restaurant table") gives a little insight on NYRA crackdown on some of the track restaurant "entreprenours" who would seek some additional compensation. The employee with 49 years of track work had the marked bills in his pocket along with about $8000 I guess even the law can sometimes differentiate between "tip" and "bribe"

Gee....I didn't realize in this day and age when everything seems so completely out of control price-wise, that a $20 "tip" went so far. I come from the "If you Want It Pay for It" school (i.e., I want a suite, I reserve and pay for a suite).