How To Get Free Hotel Upgrades

HOTEL staff have shared the ways guests have managed to wangle a free upgrade when checking in.

From not being rude to checking in later, there are easy ways to get a better room without the cost.

Getting a free hotel upgrade could be easier than you think Credit: Alamy

While it can depend on each hotel chain, a number of experts have explained how they have given free upgrades to guests themselves.

These are some of the things you can try when you check in.

Wait before asking

One member of staff who was working at a hotel explained how they was about to give a guest a free upgrade when they were checking in.

However, they then butted in and interrupted him before he could, leading to him charging them instead.

They explained on Reddit: "Before I could say another word she asked if there were any upgrades available and what would the cost be.

"If she had just waited five more seconds to let me finish my spiel she would have heard me say that we were fully booked up with the room type that she had selected and she was going to be placed in a room type two categories above her original room, with a much better view."

They added that while it was still much lower than it would normally cost, they charged her $75 (£61) for being so quick off the mark.

They said: "I guess the moral of the story is listen to your front desk agent and let them get through confirming your reservation before you open your mouth."

Being nice and not asking too early could get you a better room Credit: Getty - Contributor

Be nice

Similarly, being rude to staff won't end up getting you an upgrade.

Instead, being polite and understanding is more likely to get the hotel to want to help you.

One member of staff said a family were given numerous upgrades after issues at the hotel.

They explained: "There was a problem with their AC later on in the stay that they found out about later on and so we had to mark the room for house keeping and transfer them rooms and card-keys again.

"The next room we send them to some guy who was supposed to check out hasn't actually left the property yet so we call in security to escort the guy off the property.

"This couple was so patient with us the General Manager felt for them and waived two of their nights on the stay."

They added: "We also gave them free food for their stay (five nights) and bumped them on our priority list as well as late checkout even though they didn't ask for it as well as free upgraded Wi-Fi."

Others shared their upgrade stories after they were polite.

Discount flight website Air Fare Watchdog founder George Hobica told Business Insider: "I had been booked in a room near the elevator. I told them I was a light sleeper and asked for a room at the end of the hallway.

"The nice person behind the desk upgraded me to a better room at no charge."

SUITE DEALHotel expert reveals room upgrade secret – and it's something we don't normally do in the UK

Check in late

Getting to your hotel late in the evening could also score you a much better room.

Hotels.com explain that the hotel may have "run out of standard rooms" meaning they have to put you in a higher room category.

It could also mean that they know the higher quality rooms are unlikely to get taken that night with limited guests coming through - meaning an easy upgrade.

Avoid third party bookings

It can be tempting to get a cheaper deal thanks to third party booking websites, often offering reduced rates.

However, this shows up on the system at the hotel, and means you will be bottom of the pile in getting a discount.

If you want to book through a hotel directly, it can also be worth ringing them on the phone and asking if they can match the deal.

More often than not, they will be able to match it or throw in something else free of charge.

The secret tricks to getting a hotel upgrade

Stay loyal to a brand

Like airlines, hotels are likely to upgrade frequent guests.

Many also offer loyalty schemes such as IHG Rewards Club, who cover Holiday Inn, or Le Club Accor, who cover Novotel and Ibis.

The more you stay with them, not only are you likely to be the first to get upgraded, but you get additional perks like free nights and packages.

One member of staff gave their own example on Reddit of a frequent guest upgrade: "She's a businesswoman who stays at a corporate rate. So she gets the most basic room when we're full. But since she's a return guest and is so nice, we often give her an upgrade."

She lucked out one of her nights: "We're fully booked except for the presidential suite and it turns out one room is OOO (out of order). So we decide to upgrade her into the suite for free, and give her room to someone else."

One expert says the only way to get a free upgrade is to pay for it - but only by speaking to the concierge, not the front desk.

Travellers have shared their own cheeky ways of getting a better room for free, including making a long list of demands which if not met, requires an upgrade.

You can also get free flight upgrades by using a simple phrase, according to a frequent flyer.