Get the Luxury Treatment: 15 Tips to Get a Hotel Room Upgrade for Free!
Are you planning a trip and looking to save some money on accommodations? One way to do that is by trying to get a free hotel room upgrade. While it’s not guaranteed, there are a few tricks you can try to increase your chances of getting a room upgrade without paying any extra money.
In this blog post, I’ll provide 15 tips to help you get a room upgrade for free. From being flexible with your travel dates to using your rewards points and mentioning any special occasions, these tips can increase your chances of getting a better room without spending extra.
So if you’re looking to save some cash on your next trip and enjoy a nicer hotel room at no extra cost, be sure to read on. With a little effort and some savvy planning, you may be able to get the free hotel room upgrade you’re looking for.
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15 Tips to Help You Get a Free Hotel Room Upgrade
1. Research the type of upgrade you want in advance
Conducting research on the hotel you are planning to stay at can be an effective strategy for getting a free room upgrade. By taking the time to learn about the hotel’s policies, amenities, and services, you can gain a better understanding of what kind of upgrade you might be able to request.
During one of my trips to Las Vegas, I booked a stay at Caesars Palace Luxury Hotel & Casino because I saw that the property had recently undergone renovations in their Octavius Tower. I took the time to read reviews from other guests who had stayed at the hotel and noticed that some of them had mentioned successfully requesting a complimentary room upgrade, so I decided to try my luck and see if I could get one too.
I booked the cheapest room available (Forum Tower), but asked nicely at check-in for a complimentary upgrade. The front desk staff offered me a different room in the Forum Tower, but I asked if it was possible for me to stay in Octavius. He reluctantly checked the system, but to my delight, my request was granted and I was upgraded to a room in the newly renovated Octavius Tower at no extra cost!
2. Put in a special request at the time of booking
One tip for getting a free hotel room upgrade is to put in a special request when booking your room. This can include asking for a specific room location or view, requesting a higher floor, or requesting a room with a larger bed or more amenities.
A lot of people say that you need to book directly with the hotel to be able to request a complimentary upgrade, but that is not true. I have successfully asked for a free room upgrade many times even when I used a third-party travel booking site like Agoda.com or Priceline.com.
When you book a hotel through a third-party website, you can include any special requests in the designated field. This information will be passed on to the hotel staff, who most of the time will try to accommodate your requests. Don’t forget to give them a nudge at check-in as well!
3. Ask at check-in
Asking for a free room upgrade at the time of check-in is another effective way for getting a better room without having to pay extra. When you arrive at the hotel, be sure to let the front desk staff know that you would be interested in an upgrade if one is available.
Be polite and friendly when making this request, and explain why you think an upgrade would be beneficial for you. For example, you could mention that you are celebrating a special occasion, or that you have heard good things about a particular room type and would like to try it out.
Not all hotels will be able to accommodate your request and room upgrades are typically subject to availability, but if you don’t ask, you will never know! By asking at the time of check-in, you may be able to increase your chances of getting an upgrade and enjoying a better hotel experience.
4. Mention any special occasions
Mentioning any special occasions or milestones that you may be celebrating is one of the best tips for getting a free hotel room upgrade! Many hotels offer complimentary upgrades to guests who are marking a special occasion, such as a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday.
You can put the special occasion in the field of “Special Requests” at the time of booking. I know both Agoda.com and Priceline.com have these designated fields, but if you don’t find them, you can email the hotel after booking.
Again, at check-in, you should let the hotel’s receptionist know that you are celebrating a special occasion, and it will increase your chances of getting an upgrade at no extra cost. It’s important to be specific and truthful when mentioning any special occasion.
Even if a room upgrade is not available, you may still be able to enjoy some complimentary perks, such as chocolate, strawberries, or spa passes. Don’t overlook these little extras as they can make your stay more enjoyable!
5. Attend a presentation
From luxury resort chains in Mexico to well-known international hotel brands like Hilton, Marriott, and Hyatt, many offer upgrades to guests who are willing to attend a timeshare presentation, where they will be introduced to the concept of vacation ownership and invited to purchase a timeshare property.
These presentations are typically promised to last for only 90 minutes, but they can last much longer if you don’t know how to say no to the waves of high-pressure sales pitches.
While attending a timeshare presentation is not for everyone, it can be a good option for those who are open to learning about vacation ownership and are willing to spend a few hours listening to a sales pitch in exchange for a free room upgrade.
It’s important to carefully consider the terms and conditions of any offer before agreeing to attend a timeshare presentation and to understand that there is no obligation to purchase a timeshare property.
6. Join the hotel’s loyalty program
Joining the hotel’s loyalty program is another tip that can help you get a free room upgrade. Many hotels offer loyalty programs that reward guests with points or other perks for staying at their properties.
These programs often include benefits such as free room upgrades, late check-out, and other amenities like free Wifi and complimentary breakfast. By joining the hotel’s loyalty program, you can earn points or rewards for each stay, which can then be redeemed for upgrades or other perks.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to ask the front desk staff about any current promotions or offers that may be available to loyalty program members. By joining the hotel’s loyalty program and staying loyal to the property, you can increase your chances of getting a free room upgrade and other benefits.
7. Travel during the off-season
One way to potentially score a free hotel room upgrade is to travel during the off-season. Since hotels tend to be less busy during this time, they may be more willing to upgrade your room if one is available.
This not only gives you a better chance at an upgrade but also allows you to take advantage of lower prices and a wider range of activities and attractions. Plus, you can often find hotel rooms at a discounted rate during the off-season. Just be sure to do your research before you travel, as some destinations may not be as lively as they are during peak season.
8. Leverage your online presence
Another way to potentially get a free hotel room upgrade is to leverage your online presence. Many hotels and resorts pay attention to their guests’ online profiles and reviews, and they may be more likely to offer upgrades to guests who have a positive online presence.
This doesn’t mean that you need to be a travel blogger to get a free upgrade! If you are active on social media, review websites, or other online platforms, and have a good number of followers, you can use these channels to your advantage when trying to get a free upgrade.
By following your favorite hotel’s social media channels, you can stay up-to-date on exclusive discounts, offers, and promotions.
You can also reach out to the hotel’s customer service team on social media to inquire about room upgrades. Send them a direct message and tell them why they should give you a free upgrade. Don’t forget to use other tips like mentioning special occasions and leveraging online presence to increase your chances!
9. Become Booking.com Genius Level 2 or Level 3
Booking.com has a loyalty program that is designed to reward frequent customers with exclusive discounts, perks, and benefits called “Genius”.
When you complete 5 stays within 2 years, you will reach Genius Level 2 and enjoy not only a 10 to 15% discount but also free breakfasts and free room upgrades on select stays.
When you reach Genius Level 3, you will enjoy up to 20% discount, free breakfast, free room upgrades, and priority support on all bookings.
Become Booking.com Genius Level 2 & 3 to automatically enjoy free room upgrades with your bookings!
10. Stay at newly opened Hotel
Newly opened hotels may be more willing to offer upgrades in order to attract guests and build a positive reputation. Since they are just starting out, they may be more eager to provide exceptional experiences and exceed the expectations of their guests. By staying at a newly opened hotel, you can take advantage of this willingness to offer upgrades and increase your chances of getting a free room upgrade.
In addition, newly opened hotels often have a larger selection of rooms and suites, which means that they are more likely to have availability for upgrades. This can increase your chances of getting a free upgrade, especially if you are willing to be flexible with your room preferences and dates.
11. Be a repeat guest
Being a repeat guest at a hotel can increase your chances of getting a free room upgrade. Hotels often reward loyal guests with special perks and benefits, such as free room upgrades, complimentary amenities, and other exclusive offers.
By choosing to stay at the same hotel multiple times, you can make yourself a more attractive and valuable customer to the hotel and potentially get a free upgrade through the rewards program without having to do anything extra.
12. Dress Nicely
Dressing nicely is another tip for getting a free hotel room upgrade. Many hotels and resorts pay attention to the appearance and demeanor of their guests, and they may be more likely to offer upgrades to guests who are well-dressed and well-groomed.
By taking the time to dress nicely when you check into the hotel, you can make a positive impression on the staff and potentially increase your chances of getting a free upgrade.
Not all hotels will make decisions about upgrades based on appearance, and room upgrades are subject to availability anyway, but dressing nicely can help you put your best foot forward and make a good impression, which can increase your chances of getting a free upgrade.
13. Check in later in the day
Do you know that hotel rooms (and flights) can be overbooked? And most people go for the cheapest deals, so the cheapest rooms are most likely to be sold out during peak season.
When you show up at the hotel check-in late, chances are all the people that have booked the hotels already fill up the room. That gives the hotel no choice but to give you a free room upgrade!
I once arrived late at a Hilton hotel in Texas because my flight was delayed. Guess what, the only room they have left was the Executive Suite! Not only was I on the top floor with a gorgeous view, but I also had a bar in the room and an attached office that can hold a meeting with 10 people!
14. Use a travel credit card
Some travel credit cards offer membership and a fast track to elite status in hotel loyalty programs (all the big hotel chains like Marriot, Hilton, IHG, etc have them). With elite status, you often get a room upgrade and other special amenities at no extra cost.
Plus, travel credit cards often offer benefits such as travel insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and travel assistance services. These benefits can provide peace of mind and protection when you are traveling, which can make your hotel stay more enjoyable and stress-free.
15. Request a different room if it doesn’t meet your expectations
If you arrive at the hotel and find that the room you were assigned is not up to your standards, you can politely let the front desk staff know and ask if there are any other options available.
For example, you may have booked a room with a garden view but it is obstructed or not looking at any greens. In this case, it is reasonable to ask if there are any other rooms available that would better meet your needs.
Another example is that if you book a three-night stay, and on the first night there is a problem that prevents you from having an enjoyable (like a broken air-conditioner or something). It is also appropriate for you to ask for a different room, and a lot of the time the staff would give you a free upgrade to compensate for your discomfort the first night!
Conclusion: How to Get a Hotel Room Upgrade for Free
From making a special request when booking to mentioning any special occasions, there are many ways to increase your chances of getting a better room without having to pay extra. Above are some of the most effective tips and strategies for getting a free hotel room upgrade that I have used.
Overall, getting a free hotel room upgrade is not guaranteed, and it is subject to availability and other factors. However, by following the tips and strategies mentioned in this post, you can increase your chances of getting a better room without having to pay extra.
It’s always worth a try, and even if an upgrade is not available, the front desk staff may be able to offer other perks or amenities to make your stay more enjoyable. By being nice, respectful, and patient with the hotel staff, you can make a good impression and increase your chances of getting a free upgrade.