Picture this: you’ve just landed after a long flight and all you want is to soak in a hot bath with a glass of bubbly or sink into a bed so comfy it feels like a cloud. You walk into your hotel room only to find … it’s a bit of a shoebox. How good would it be to get that desired upgrade without breaking the bank? Or, even having to dip your hands in your pockets at all.
Well, fear not; we’ve got a bit of the ol’ inside scoop to share. Here’s our top 9 insider tips on how to score a hotel room upgrade with no additional charges.
Loyalty Pays Off
You’ve heard it a lot, haven’t you? It’s not just your nan’s mantra; being a frequent guest or loyal member of a hotel’s rewards programme carries a lot of weight. Simply put, loyalty earns you brownie points. Hotels tend to dish out upgrades to loyal customers more readily – so the more often you stay, the greater the chance of lounging in luxury.
Accordingly, if you stay in major hotel chains regularly, then it may well be worth staying loyal to just one when you’re travelling. Your devoted allegiance will soon be noticed, mark our words.
Timing Is Everything
If you’re keen to increase your chances of an upgrade (you are, that’s why you’re here), then try to visit hotels during the off-peak season or midweek when hotels are less busy. The chances of landing a free upgrade are much higher then.
Also, try to check in after most guests, typically late afternoon to early evening. By this time, the hotel has a better idea of occupancy and might be more willing to spoil you with an upgrade.
Read: Debunking myths and sharing secrets for nabbing cheap flights
Time It Right With Seasonal Sales
Here’s a tip that requires patience but can pay dividends: hotels, just like high street retailers, have their sale seasons. Black Friday has become a bonafide booking bonanza, with major chains slashing rates on future stays – we’re talking discounts of up to 50% on rooms you can book months in advance.
According to barcelo.com, Spain’s second largest hotel group, their Black Friday deals often include perks like complimentary room upgrades and flexible cancellation, effectively combining two tips into one. Beyond the November rush, keep your eyes peeled for January sales (when hotels are keen to fill spring and summer gaps), end-of-season clearances in September, and flash sales around bank holidays.
Sign up for email alerts from your favourite chains, set a calendar reminder for the last week of November, and watch your inbox like a hawk. The upgrade you’ve been eyeing might just land in your lap at a fraction of the price.
Special Occasion? Don’t Be Shy About It
Celebrating a special occasion? Don’t hold back, spill it out! If you’re celebrating a big anniversary or it’s your honeymoon, let the hotel know when you book. There’s no guarantee, but they might just take the opportunity to sprinkle a bit more magic onto your special occasion with a free upgrade.
And whilst we’re not suggesting making up a birthday, anniversary or other special occasion, you could theoretically do so…
Feedback Is Valued & Sometimes Even Rewarded
Providing feedback to hotels fosters mutual benefit by improving their service and highlighting your engagement as a guest. Detailed feedback assists hotels in recognising their strengths and identifying improvement areas.
So, if you found the commercial grade security cameras for hotels a little intrusive or if you got an especially good night’s sleep during your stay, your active feedback might prompt hotels to prioritise you for room upgrades during future stays as a token of appreciation – or, of course, seeking further praise or invaluable advice!
Room For Improvement
Here’s the cheeky tip you’ve been waiting for. Booking the least expensive room? That leaves room for improvement, doesn’t it? The logic is simple: the only way is up! An upgrade from the bottom deck is more likely than one from a more expensive room.
Of course, you might just be left in a box room, windowless and alone, which is not quite what you bargained for, but, on the flipside, you might just earn a promotion to a hotel room with kitchenette facilities or a penthouse with expansive views of the city, if you take the gamble. It’s a risk, sure, but one that some decide is worth taking.
A Polite Request
Just as insiders always extol the merits of remembering your Ps and Qs when looking for flight upgrades, so the same truths apply to hotel room upgrades. Sometimes, the simplest approach can be the most effective. Being polite, friendly, and forthright can work wonders. Without wishing to sound like your parents, do remember to say “please” and “thank you”, and don’t be afraid to ask – the worst they can do is say no!
Independence Day
Consider booking with independent or boutique hotels. These chaps have much more flexibility compared to the big chains, in terms of their procedures, and can often offer upgrades without having to wade through red tape or corporate policies. Not only that, but it’s important to support local, independent hospitality venues above the chains, too.
Pay With Plastic
Using a credit card that has a partnership with the hotel? You might be sitting on an upgrade and not even know about it! Many credit cards offer points, travel rewards or benefits including room upgrades. It’s always wise to read the fine print or give your bank a buzz to see if you’re eligible.
In the United Kingdom, the Marriott Bonvoy American Express Credit Card is a notable credit card that has a partnership with hotels and offers potential room upgrades. Cardholders of this credit card can enjoy numerous benefits including complimentary Marriott Silver Elite status, which can be upgraded to Marriott Gold Elite status by spending £15,000 on the card in a year. This status may provide opportunities for room upgrades at Marriott properties.
While Hilton and IHG do not offer co-branded credit cards in the UK, points towards room upgrades can still be earned by transferring rewards from American Express Membership Rewards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club directly to a Hilton Honors account, or via credit card spend with Virgin Atlantic and HSBC UK for IHG points.
However, it’s important to note that the actual realisation of these benefits, such as room upgrades, may depend on factors like availability and the specific terms and conditions of each card.
The Bottom Line
There you have it, folks; eight savvy insider tips to nudge the odds in your favour for a smashing hotel room upgrade. So, the next time you’re booking a stay, remember these tips and you might just find yourself sipping that champagne in a sumptuous suite. Happy travels!
