Vegas Room Upgrades
 

I've read about free room upgrades in Vegas. How does one go about getting one? Do we just ask at check-in? I'm afraid they would think that was rude....or is that just normal and how it is done?

I booked at the Monte-Carlo last May. We're going in September. Since I booked early, do I have a better chance for a free upgrade?

Call the hotel directly(not the 1-800#) and ask for a upgrade. You have a better shot at a free upgrade since the hotel actually knows what rooms are available. P.S. It's not rude. Most hotels expect that question.

Not "free" but I've had success slipping a $20 under my credit card at checkin and asking for a specific upgrade. Most clerks now expect it. Search for "vegas 20 dollar trick" and you'll find loads of info. Just asking can work sometimes but you'd be surprised what a $20 gets you in Vegas.

Calling the hotel in advance to try to get a "free" upgrade probably won't produce any results. When you booked has no bearing on your chances of getting an upgrade. I would just ask at the front desk when you are checking in. It is certainly not rude to ask. If the hotel isn't that crowded and has upgrades available, you may very well get one - esp. if you are there on some occasion (anniversary, birthday, etc.). When I say upgrade, I don't mean that you'll be put in a penthouse suite - but you may get a high floor with a view or possibly a larger room.

I've never done the $20 trick (I'm against it in principle) but I'm not surprised that it works.

I have no ethics (lol) and will try the $20 trick this Tues. Will report back if it works. [-o<

I agree that calling will get you nowhere. It's very easy to say no to an anonymous person on the phone. This question is so common in LV that a call will not likely get results.

We were in Vegas (staying at the Mirage) in July of this year and at check in I asked if there was a possibility to get a room with a view of the strip on a higher floor - no problem they put us in a deluxe room on the 21st floor (no extra charge). I would ask at check in and as someone else said if they are not full - they will make you as comfortable as possilbe - they want you to come back and stay at their hotel. Another thing I would ask for is a room near the elevators - as there can be a long walk to your room if you are far from the elevators.

travleinwifey - i did not mean to suggest that you have no ethics if you slip the reservation clerk a $20. I'm sure you are a very ethical, upstanding citizen! I think it is more of an ethical issue for the clerk who takes the money. Hope your tactic works.

Vegas is Vegas and operates differently than any other city on earth so keep that in mind, BUT, in our hotel if an employee were caught accepting money for an upgrade it would be the end of their job.

I too wondered why the money is "hidden" and "slipped" to the clerk if this form of bribery, not tipping, is so accepted and ethical. I too would have fired any of my clerks caught taking bribes.

Was joking around tom42 :) Have tipped $20 several times to valet when it was closed for hotel guests only. The employees don't mind at all and actually look forward to the tips. We'll see how it goes for hotel rooms. \:D/

$20 trick worked at Venetian today 8/26. Good luck all. :)

Travlinwifey...so just how did you go about offering the $20. What upgrade were you given compared to what you booked?

When checking in I handed the clerk a $20 bill underneath my cc. I asked if there was any type of upgrade availible. She said I could upgrade to a strip view for $35/nt. I told her that was okay but to keep the $20. I asked for 2 queens which she said was no problem. She gave me a big smile and handed us the room cards, I had an idea she upgraded us. Lo and behold, we were given a room on the highest floor strip view and the pool. Had booked king size no view prior.

Good for you travelinwifey! Please post a trip report when you return. Have fun in Vegas!

Hi travelinwifey........check your post...you are only one week early with your check in date..as opposed to the date you made the post!!!
I went to a shower a week early one time!! And that was long before my golden years!!

Sorry about the typo. Check in was this past Tues the 19th, the day I wrote the post. I have been doing so much traveling I am getting my dates mixed up. Sorry about the misprint, definitely the 19th, will check out and go to Treasure Island this Sat the 23rd will repost when I try again.

You didn't mention how you booked. If you booked with the hotel directly, your chances are far superior. Best bet is to phone directly right NOW and inquire. If you wait until you check in, availability will be more limited. Others will have grabbed up the better rooms by checking in earlier or on prior days...

But, you must know the layout of the hotel and what you have in mind with regard to an "upgrade"...

You may have to pay a little more, or not.

Everything turns on your dates, though. And how full the hotel in questions happens to be.

Slipping the check-in clerk may or may not produce the desired results.

When you booked, though, is totally irrelevant. If you wait until check-in, they may or may not have better rooms available.

Better bet is to check into your assigned room, then phone downstairs and exclaim that this was not what you expected based upon your booking enedeavors - and ask if a better room is available for your stay...

I tried the $20 under the cc at Paris in April 2003. Was given a suite, no extra charge. Did not have a view, but the room and bathroom were amazing.

Keep in mind the $20 trick is quickly turning into the $50 trick. Though I suppose that's to be expected of LV.

Well...I did the $20 tip at Monte-Carlo just last week. I would say it worked to my satisfaction. I asked if there were any upgrades available. She said she could give us a monaco suite for an extra $35 per night (3 nights). That suite normally was more in the additional $60 - $90+ per night price range for our nights we were staying. I decided that we would just take our regular standard room that we booked, but asked if we could have a room on an upper floor with a view of the strip. She said sure and gave us a great room with both a view of the pool area and north view of the strip. We could see the Bellagio fountains. Very nice. She also gave us a BUNCH of two for one coupons for breakfast and lunch at the buffet, free spa admission (normally $15 per day), drink coupons for the Brewery, 2 for 1 raft rentals for the pool area, ice cream coupons, etc. We were pleased with the extras she gave us, so I think it was worth the $20 tip. We had a great trip and look forward to going again in the future. I would stay at the Monte-Carlo again. No complaints here.

When I checked in at the Flamingo in July, I said I would really appreciate a very nice room because I had brought my daughter there for her 21st birthday (which was true) and I wanted her to have a great experience so she'd enjoy LV as much as I did. The desk clerk gave me a beautiful room facing the Bellagio fountains, and when it turned out the occupants of that room were going to be leaving the room late, she upgraded us to a suite on the top floor.