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hotel Room upgrades are often available – if you play your cards right.
And here we reveal the key tips that will give you the best possible chance of a bigger, better room.
This advice comes from experienced travelers and hospitality experts, including Jen Pendlebury, general manager of a luxury hotel and CEO of the Hospitality Professionals Association.
Your upgrade strategy will include avoiding certain sites when booking, sending specific information before you arrive, and checking in at “golden hour.”
Here’s a look at some of the best strategies when looking for that upgrade.
Booking Strategies
book direct
Third-party apps can be extremely convenient – they’re a great way to find out what options are available at a location and they can speed up the booking process.
But paying for the room directly from the hotel will increase your chances of getting an upgrade, as it saves the property money.
Jane Pendlebury, CEO Hospa – Hospitality Professionals Association – told Independent: “Booking directly with the hotel makes you a more favorable candidate for an upgrade as the hotel will avoid charging commission fees from third-party sites.”
He added that even if an upgrade isn’t possible, booking direct may still net you other free benefits like breakfast or complimentary high-grade WiFi connectivity.
Avoid peak season
It is easier to take advantage of room upgrades if guests are not staying during busy periods.
Hospa’s Jane Pendlebury reveals: “Booking during off-peak times – such as mid-week or outside the major travel season – can improve your chances of getting an upgrade. When hotels are fully booked or overbooked and they know their best rooms will sell out, they are less likely to offer upgrades during peak times.”
sunday is the best kept secret
Luxury hotel general manager Raphael Herzog says booking your stay for Sunday could pay off. De Vere Tortworth Court In cotswoldsEngland.
He explained: “Sunday is one of the best-kept secrets in luxury hospitality. With fewer guest arrivals, weekend guests going home and business travelers not arriving yet, the low demand offers the most flexibility in room allocation, meaning Sunday guests are more likely to be upgraded or placed in premium rooms.”
Check in at the hotel before check in
A message before your hotel stay in which you politely outline your needs and mention the reason for the trip can be beneficial, especially if it is for a special occasion.
Ellis Race, founder of invisible tourist travel destination, told Independent: “I email the reservations manager and send a quick message describing a special event or desire for extra peace.
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“Without demanding, a little background information humanizes the reservation. I make it clear that I can wait while they check and ask if a small fee would help if the desk is unable to upgrade for free.
“The hotel considers even a $35 upsell a good deal because the value of an unsold apartment decreases every minute. Without an elite card [I’ve been given] Balconies, better views and even a tatami suite Osaka,
Special occasions get special treatment
Jane Pendlebury said: “It’s wise to mention special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or honeymoons. Hotels often reserve complimentary upgrades for these moments to make guests feel valued, so make this known at the first opportunity during the booking process.”
georgia foxA travel influencer and advisor from Pittsburgh travel heightstressed that a pre-migration message should also “express your excitement about the trip”, as “this can add positive associations to your name before your arrival, increasing your chances of success”.
Martin Slack, from threeticketsanywhere.com The travel site suggested going even further and posting a social media video a week in advance about your stay and tagging the hotel.
He admits it’s “a bit of a vague strategy,” but “highlights that you’re staying there and that you’re active in social activities,” so you’re more likely to get a nice room.
stay loyal
Georgia Fox says loyalty is as good as money in the hospitality industry, so “double it.”
He explained: “You can increase your chances by doubling down on loyalty. Loyalty is like a currency in the hotel industry.
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“Sign up for customer programs and check if they have any partner programs you can be a member of. Returning customers is the number one priority for hotels, so even small signs of commitment won’t go unnoticed.”
Should you book certain room types?
No expert could agree that there is a certain range of rooms that will give you a better or worse chance of an upgrade, with answers ranging from “cheapest” to “mid-tier.”
Be careful when checking in
When you arrive is very important. Arrive too early and the staff won’t know how many empty rooms they have left for that night.
Alan Bybekov, CEO of online car rental platform and travel expert economy bookingrevealed that he tries to schedule his arrival at 5 pm, because “the supervisor with the highest authority is still on duty, housekeeping is completed, and most departures have been cleared.”
turn on charm
Remember, the person at the front desk literally has the keys to your upgrade.
So, turn on the charm and “frame the question about an upgrade as curiosity rather than a demand,” says Lorena Basualdo, a travel agent. italiantourism.usShe recommends saying that you would “like to see if a larger room is available,” which “will feel friendly and open” and so “the staff will be encouraged to help if possible.”
Susan Cato, from travelzoo.comemphasized that you should never be pushy, as “upgrades are not given, even for loyal customers.”
He further added, “Hotels make them available only when they have sufficient availability and there is no possibility of selling those rooms. Putting pressure on the staff cannot change this basic fact. Even if you know that the hotel is not full, you should not assume that those premium rooms are available to you.”
And never tip in exchange for a room upgrade.
“It might sound like bribery,” Susan said.
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