What tips or tricks can you use to get "upgraded"/better hotel rooms?

What tips or tricks can you use to get "upgraded"/better hotel rooms? - Man Wearing Black Crew-neck Shirt and Black Jeans

(Inspired by this question on flight upgrades),

Most non-budget hotels have various categories of rooms - perhaps larger rooms, "Executive" rooms, suites, and so on. What tips or tricks can you use to get upgraded to a larger/better/nicer room?

I normally join the frequent stay program for the relevant hotel chain - if it's part of a chain - and most of them have various elite levels - in my experience, becoming a higher level in those programs is one easy way.

However, what other approaches are there? What about if you've never stayed at that hotel before, or that chain? What factors influence the room you are given, and how can you control them?

(Related question on car hire upgrades)



Best Answer

In my experience, there are four things which affect your chances of getting an upgrade.

The first, and easiest to arrange, is being a member of the loyalty program for that hotel chain. You'll often need to be at least off the bottom rung to get a very good upgrade, and suites tend to only come for people with the highest status. However, when deciding who gets the room overlooking the bins or the one right next to the lifts, being in their loyalty program should be enough to stop you getting one of the less-good rooms if nothing else!

The second, is how you book. Booking through certain travel agents, for example American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts or a Virtuoso linked travel agent can get you guaranteed upgrades (along often with dining or spa credits). Only certain properties tend to be covered, and there are often eligibility requirements to book through those channels (eg you need an Amex Plat or Centurion card to book through FHR), but if you qualify and the hotel you want is in the list, it's a great option.

The third is how long you stay. If you're on a very short stay and it's busy, they might upgrade you as they're short on standard rooms that night, need to upgrade someone, and would prefer not to upgrade someone staying longer who'd then keep the nice room for longer. If you stay for a long time and they're quiet, they may choose to upgrade you to say thank you for your long stay at a quiet time. (Long stays at busy times, and short stays when quiet tend not to get upgrades, except through the other routes mentioned)

Finally, how often do you stay there? If you stay with the chain a lot, you'll get status which'll help (see #1), but if you stay in that hotel often they'll notice. If you're a regular, you can often expect an upgrade, maybe even a welcome drink, and generally be treated well as they appreciate you keep coming back. This is the most reliable way to get upgrades and VIP treatment, but the hardest...!

(I've rarely, but not never, been upgraded in chain hotels when at their lowest tiers. I've had excellent luck with upgrades with SPG Gold and Hilton Gold, whilst now Hilton Diamond it is even better. FHR rarely works for my need, but when I've booked those I've always had upgrades. My best upgrades have tended to be long stays at quiet times combined with hotel chain status. My "regular" hotel always gives me a quiet room with a nice view, but sadly all their rooms are the same size so that's the only upgrade available!)




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How do you get a nice room at a hotel?

How to Get an Upgrade at a Luxury Hotel \u2013 12 Tips for a Free Room Upgrade
  • Visit During the Low Season. ...
  • Sign Up for the Hotel's Loyalty Program. ...
  • Get a Hotel-branded Credit Card. ...
  • Avoid Booking the Cheapest Room. ...
  • Check-in as Late as Possible. ...
  • Book Directly Through the Hotel. ...
  • Say it is a Special Occasion. ...
  • Stay at Newer Hotels.


  • How do you get a higher floor in hotel?

    Make These Simple Requests To Get A Bigger Hotel Room For Free
  • Ask For A Corner Room. ...
  • Be Friendly To The Staff. ...
  • Inform The Hotel Officials That You're Here For A Celebration. ...
  • Give Guest Reviews. ...
  • Request A Room On A Higher Floor. ...
  • Holiday With Your Pet. ...
  • Stay At A Business District. ...
  • Travel During Off-Season.


  • How can I get better hotel discounts?

    Check Out These 10 Hacks to Get The Best And Cheapest Hotel Deals
  • Sign up for hotel newsletters to find promotional deals. ...
  • Call up the hotel desk for discounts. ...
  • Mention if you've stayed in their hotel before. ...
  • Check fare comparison websites. ...
  • Try hotel booking apps. ...
  • Travel off-season. ...
  • Book in advance during peak season.


  • How do I get a free room upgrade on holiday?

    7 Ways To Get A FREE Hotel Room Upgrade
  • Choose a rebooking agent for automatic upgrades. ...
  • Be a loyal customer. ...
  • Ask at the desk \u2013 nicely and quietly. ...
  • Ask the concierge not the desk agent. ...
  • Book over the phone. ...
  • Let them know it is a special occasion. ...
  • Only stay for one night.




  • How I Get Free Hotel Upgrades Every Time (3 Simple Steps!)




    More answers regarding what tips or tricks can you use to get "upgraded"/better hotel rooms?

    Answer 2

    Sometimes it's easier than you think. The article outlines some of the easiest ways to receive upgrades, noting that doing things face-to-face helps since a lot of it is left up to personal discretion. Simply asking about whether a service is complimentary (even if it's not) can spark a convo that leads to a freebie. The article also mentions slipping someone a tip (money talks) or mentioning a special occasion. I'd imagine honeymoons often get decent upgrade.

    I've had luck, like the article mentions, by mentioning a birthday but that's generally for cake or something smaller. While I'm not a proponent of complaining, I did get upgraded to a suite once because the door to my room was jammed and I couldn't get it open. Polite complaints always work best.

    Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Images: Andrew Neel, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrew Neel, Mary Taylor