6 Top Tips for Getting a Hotel Room Upgrade

Posted by Rachel in Travel Tips on 12 12th, 2010 | Read Comments(1)

If you regularly stay in hotels on leisure or business travel trips and fancy getting upgraded to a bigger or better room or luxurious suite, then here are 6 top tips for negotiating a hotel room upgrade!

1. Ask for an upgrade

It sounds utterly simple, but sometimes the easiest way to suss out whether a hotel room upgrade could be available is to ask. Be polite, cheery and considerate as you check in and, if it’s not a particularly busy time and better rooms are available, your luck could be in.

2. Book your stay for an off-peak time

Hotel room upgrades are less likely to be offered if you’re staying at a very busy time of the year or in the peak season. So if you time your trip carefully, perhaps by booking a mid-week break in late autumn or winter, then you may have more chance of getting an upgrade.

3. Celebrate a special occasion

If you’re booking a hotel stay due to a special occasion, such as wedding, anniversary or birthday, then don’t be shy and mention it when you make your booking or when you check-in. If the circumstances are right and rooms are available, then you may strike it lucky and be given a room upgrade.

4. Check in later in the day

Rather than checking in to the hotel as soon as check in starts, delay your arrival until later in the day or early evening. Although your room may be ready early in the day, there’s often more chance of a room upgrade if you delay your arrival. That way, for example, staff will know how many rooms haven’t sold out and the availability of better rooms.

5. Stay regularly at the same hotel or chain

If you’re a regular guest at the same hotel or chain of hotels, be them large or small, then the chances are the booking staff will get to know you. Loyal, regularly guests are often rewarded well, especially if you’re on good terms with the staff, and could get the opportunity of a free room upgrade. Look out for hotels that have loyalty schemes too.

6. Stay at a new hotel

Sometimes it is worth looking into staying at newly opened hotels too. When new hotels open up around the world, there are often good deals on rooms and, with owners keen for good PR and promotion, first or early hotel guests can benefit from free upgrades.

Have you had any luck with getting a hotel upgrade? What tips do you recommend?