Tipping for an upgrade

If you are going to tip to try to get an upgrade on your room, exactly how do you go about it? Do you have to do it secretively? Will you be getting the clerk or yourself in trouble for trying this? Thank you!

Tipping for an upgrade

Check out http://www.frontdesktip.com for info on how to do the ';$20 sandwich'; and the success rates at various resorts. It%26#39;s a fairly common practice and you should be fine. Just be nonchalant and treat it as what it is - a tip, not a bribe. Ask kindly if they have any complimentary upgrades, and they should be happy to oblige. Good luck!

Tipping for an upgrade

No one can know for sure if this works or if it is just by asking nicely and being polite that sometimes gets a person a free upgrade. One thing to note though, the hotels or a good many of them know exactly what you are trying to do with the $20 trick. Vegas veterans feel it%26#39;s asking nicely and politely are the things that work, not money. Mainly it all has to do with how many upgraded rooms a hotel has when you check in, the day of the week, the length of your stay, how many high rollers they are expecting etc on whether you can get an upgrade or not. Some hotels don%26#39;t offer free upgrades no matter what. They might, however have some available at a reduced rate at check in.

About the free room upgrade, with the 20.00 idea, we will be at the mgm grand, cheap room, tower, so if we get a free upgrade, would it be to the west wing or would they do a suite., since we are at the mgm grand tower room, to up grade has to be west wing right., cannot be another grand tower room right., sorry we are not seasoned travelers. also, would they take the 20.00 and not give an upgrade., just think it is a tip without upgrade., and if they say there is no upgrade possible, can you then show the 20.oo and say, are you sure one did not just come in.

Just calm down Tom.....

A moment ago you didn%26#39;t want to pay the monday night rate at the mgm, and now you want to pay for an upgrade?? Don%26#39;t say ';are you sure'; and wave the $20 in their face, because then it does look like a bribe - if you really must try it then just give them the $20 when you give them your credit card and pilitely ask if there are any upgrades available. Or just ask nicely (without the $20) when you get there, or alternatively just pay for an upgrade if you really want one.

You really need to take a step back and chill a little, you seem way to stressed about ways to save a dollar here and there.... just relax and enjoy what is sure to be a great trip.

jarjar makes very good points. And, I would never expect to get the $20 back if there were no upgrades available. I give it as a tip, whether I get the upgrade or not.

These are just my experiences with the $20 trick, so take it with a grain of salt:

1. at Caesars.. booked the cheapest room they have (~$130 for time we went), and for $20 upgraded us to a nice strip view suite with a HUGE jacuzzi tub.

2. at MGM.. was told there was no room available until 2 Pm (we tried to check in at 9 AM).. magically after $20 a room appeared .. a nicer room on a high floor that was ready immediately.

3. From reading other%26#39;s posts, etc, it does seem that they will give you the $20 back if they can%26#39;t do anything HOWEVER, you should not expect this.. as others have said, it%26#39;s a TIP. If you aren%26#39;t fine with ';losing'; $20 not sure if Vegas is the place for you!

I don%26#39;t necessary expect an upgrade for it%26#39;s my first time in LV. I have booked in the grand tower. don%26#39;t want west wing. I would like a room with a view of the strip though. I may try it at the airport, see if I can get a room with a wonderful view. It%26#39;s only me and I feel lucky enough to go to LV.

Heh Studer

When you check in be friendly and chatty with the person at the desk, tell them its your first time to LV and ask if they have any nice rooms with views of the strip.... you%26#39;ll be amazed just how far being friendly and having a conversation with the clerk can get you.... I hope you have a great time.

I have used $20 (usually more) upgrade trick at several hotels usually with sucess but it does not work at teh MGM. I heard last year that staff have been told that they wil be dismissed if they accepted tips for upgrades and thought that this was just a myth, speaking to a member of checkin staff there in February he said that thsi was true but they are now given good comission on paid for upgrades.

If you try this you have to accept its a trick, a game and if the desk clerk decides not to give you an upgrade and to keep your money tough. Its the same sa putting $20 on the table and expecting your money back if you dont get a blackjack.

I would love to hear the complaint that you would try to make ';I tried to bribe your member of staff and they did not give me a more expensive room for nothing'; ;-)

Book the minimum leve lof accomodation you are happy with (not what you can afford) and if you get an upgrade treat it as bonus.

PH I got an upgrade to a suite just for asking nicely I gave $20 afterwards anyway but she did not know I was going to do that.

Youy right, I need to relax, I just do not want to blow the money, and I think I will just keep the tower room at the mgm and not ask for upgrade since I hear west wing is not as nice. And I am going to spend the money and stay at the mgm at the higher price for the one night, since the other two nights are great prices, not worth moving to me. thanbks to all