I’ve scored a surprising number of hotel upgrades using one simple trick. It’s perfectly legit, easy to do, and it doesn’t mess with my moral compass. Even if you’re the type who hates asking for upgrades, you can use this without feeling awkward.
I’m not saying it’ll work 100% of the time, but when it does, it’s a nice feeling to get more than you paid for.
Of course, the easiest way to get a hassle-free upgrade is to have a high status level with a hotel loyalty program. I don’t travel enough to earn status and have no intention of chasing it and locking myself into one specific brand. I do get some perks by strategically choosing certain credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum Card, which can provide mid-level status in some programs. Hotels often proactively upgrade guests with status to a better room (sometimes an “executive” room) before they even check in.
I’ve also read plenty of articles about “convincing” hotels to upgrade you. Search Google for “free hotel upgrade,” and you’ll find promising headlines like this:
The email that will get you a free hotel upgrade 100% of the time
If it were that easy, why isn’t everyone doing it? Usually, the advice boils down to contacting the hotel to say you’re celebrating a birthday or anniversary and asking whether an upgrade might be possible. It might work, and the hotel may give you a better room, a suite, or a nice amenity like a plate of chocolates or a bottle of Prosecco.
I don’t have a problem with that approach… as long as it’s actually a celebratory trip.
For example, the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport once surprised us with a “cake” made out of towels to celebrate our 20th anniversary (and I still don’t know how they knew it was our anniversary).
If it’s not actually a special occasion, it’s not a “trick” I’m willing to use. That moral compass thing gets in the way.
So what’s my method for sometimes getting upgraded without lying, without status, and without paying extra?
Turn it down if the hotel offers you a paid upgrade at check-in
Pretty easy, right? Most travelers book the cheapest room they can find. If a larger room or better view were important, they could’ve paid more and reserved that room type in advance.
Hotels also manage inventory in a way that often leaves them “tight” on base rooms, especially if multiple categories are similar or interchangeable. They’ll usually prioritize upgrades for elite members first. But if they still have more guests arriving than base rooms available, someone else may be moved into a better room, too.
The hotel can decide to give better rooms to whoever they want. This is where it pays to be nice to the front desk agent — smile, use their name (if it’s on a nametag), and just be pleasant. Sometimes that alone can tip the scale in your favor.
But sometimes you’ll get the pitch:
“We have some upgraded rooms available. They’re on a higher floor and have a great view. I can put you in one of those rooms for $20 more a night.”
Politely refuse. You booked the room at a quoted price, and that’s what you planned to pay.
Now and then, if you’re friendly about it, you’ll hear a little keyboard clicking, get a smile, and then:
“You know, we did have some of those rooms available… so I put you in the upgraded room.”
This isn’t a one-off. We’ve had about a 50% success rate getting upgraded for free after turning down a paid upgrade.
Of course, if the paid upgrade is genuinely worth it, there’s nothing wrong with taking it. Free upgrades are harder to come by these days because hotels actively market upgrade offers. And pre-arrival upgrade offers sent by email can often be cheaper than what you’ll be quoted at check-in, since you’re committing in advance.
While I love free upgrades, I was happy to lock in a $30 upgrade to a junior suite at the Park Hyatt Washington, D.C. The bathroom alone was bigger than the room I originally booked.
There you have it — my “trick” for getting free hotel upgrades. Sorry it wasn’t a fancy hack or magical system. It’s just something I’ve noticed from staying in hotels: be friendly, don’t feel pressured into paying extra on the spot, and sometimes the better room appears anyway.
And if not? You still get the room you booked — at the price you agreed to pay.
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