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10 tips to upgrade your hotel room:
1. Contact Management Before You Arrive: If you are celebrating a special occasion, feel free to mention this in an email. A personable and enthusiastic call to confirm your reservation also can help.
2. Book a Mid-Range Room: You’re more likely to be upgraded from a mid-range room than the cheapest room in the hotel.
3. Time It Right: Large city hotels tend to be busier during the workweek. For a smaller hideaway in the country, try for a midweek booking if you have some flexibility.
4. Arrive During Mid-Afternoon: Checking in between 3 and 5 is optimal. The front desk clerk will have a better sense of the day’s bookings and cancellations.
5. Look the Part: Dress appropriately. A nice jacket can make a world of difference. If you’re traveling with tired children, it probably won’t hurt to have someone mind them in the lobby while you’re at the front desk.
6. Be Personable: Ask nicely. Mention that you’d be happy to reference the counter clerk’s name in customer evaluations.
7. Be Specific: For example: “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an ocean view?” If you have a preferred room that you’ve stayed in before, feel free to mention it.
8. Mention Relationships: If your company does a lot of business with the hotel, feel free to mention it. If you use a travel service or a credit card that has a “special relationship” with the hotel, by all means, pipe up.
9. Take Advantage of Minor Misfortune: Laundry gone missing? Noisy neighbors? Kindly let management know that an upgrade will wipe the slate clean.
10. Leave On a Happy Note: A nice tip for the doorman. Smiles for the concierge. A note of approval to the manager. Every little bit helps, especially for the next time around.
Source(s):
http://blog.medjet.com/?p=109
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If it is not, then ensure they keep your name in their directory. This then allows them to keep track of you as a customer, thereby increasing your chance of being upgraded in the future as a 'preferred customer.'
I have done this many times in my experience, with a success rate of about 75%. If the 25% failure did occur, I had later (on the 2nd stay) received upgrades as I chose to stay at the specified hotel. Many times other times it can be smart for you to intentionally book a room with two double beds (they are normally the cheapest), and explain to them that you are just a single, or two people, and thereby do not need a bedroom with two beds; this thereby encourages them to upgrade you to a king bed suite.
Good luck!
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If you can't find a good deal on a 'better' room, what gives you the impression that they could 'upgrade' you?
If you are a member of various 'clubs' that may help you. Many chains and chain families/corporations with more than one hotel brand have free membership clubs similar to airline frequent flyer rewards programs. Being an AAA or AARP, or other travel club/auto club membership might also help.
I would surf the hotel chain's website for deals, pricebreaks, clubs, etc.
If you are a late check in (say around 6pm or so) you may be able to ask if they have anything better, any cancellations, etc. if the type of room you wanted was previously booked.
Most likely if you want a 'better' room such as a jacuzzi room, or a suite or something you will probably have to pay a little more.
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Answered Question
M$1
March 03, 2009 10:05 PM
What's the best way to ask for a hotel upgrade after you've already booked your room?
What works best in your experience?
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Best Answer Decided by Votes
| March 03, 2009 10:24 PM |
1. Contact Management Before You Arrive: If you are celebrating a special occasion, feel free to mention this in an email. A personable and enthusiastic call to confirm your reservation also can help.
2. Book a Mid-Range Room: You’re more likely to be upgraded from a mid-range room than the cheapest room in the hotel.
3. Time It Right: Large city hotels tend to be busier during the workweek. For a smaller hideaway in the country, try for a midweek booking if you have some flexibility.
4. Arrive During Mid-Afternoon: Checking in between 3 and 5 is optimal. The front desk clerk will have a better sense of the day’s bookings and cancellations.
5. Look the Part: Dress appropriately. A nice jacket can make a world of difference. If you’re traveling with tired children, it probably won’t hurt to have someone mind them in the lobby while you’re at the front desk.
6. Be Personable: Ask nicely. Mention that you’d be happy to reference the counter clerk’s name in customer evaluations.
7. Be Specific: For example: “Would it be possible to be upgraded to an ocean view?” If you have a preferred room that you’ve stayed in before, feel free to mention it.
8. Mention Relationships: If your company does a lot of business with the hotel, feel free to mention it. If you use a travel service or a credit card that has a “special relationship” with the hotel, by all means, pipe up.
9. Take Advantage of Minor Misfortune: Laundry gone missing? Noisy neighbors? Kindly let management know that an upgrade will wipe the slate clean.
10. Leave On a Happy Note: A nice tip for the doorman. Smiles for the concierge. A note of approval to the manager. Every little bit helps, especially for the next time around.
Source(s):
http://blog.medjet.com/?p=109
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Other Answers (2)
March 03, 2009 10:13 PM
Hotels follow a policy of 'What is available' and 'What will help reduce costs that in turn lead to a higher profitability'. In turn, a basic business principle to follow is that it is substantially easier to maintain an existing customer than it is to attract a new one. Since this is the case, hotels have no issue with upgrading a customer to a better suite if it in turn leads to a better experience (thereby creating the potential of recommendations for that specified hotel) and thus increasing the chances of that customer returning. The best possible way for you, as the consumer, is to simply ask if it is possible for a room upgrading. It would be beneficial for you to mention your previous stay or that you have heard great things about this hotel. If the upgrade still is not possible, you may kindly speak to a manager and explain your situation; you've had a long week and would really appreciate an upgrade if it is at all possible. If it is not, then ensure they keep your name in their directory. This then allows them to keep track of you as a customer, thereby increasing your chance of being upgraded in the future as a 'preferred customer.'
I have done this many times in my experience, with a success rate of about 75%. If the 25% failure did occur, I had later (on the 2nd stay) received upgrades as I chose to stay at the specified hotel. Many times other times it can be smart for you to intentionally book a room with two double beds (they are normally the cheapest), and explain to them that you are just a single, or two people, and thereby do not need a bedroom with two beds; this thereby encourages them to upgrade you to a king bed suite.
Good luck!
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March 03, 2009 10:21 PM
An upgrade to what? Most hotels don't have too many different tiers of rooms. If you just need something like a first floor room instead of that 2nd floor walk-up, or a nonsmoking room, or a different bed layout (two doubles instead of one king, or visa versa) that sort of change they should be able to accommodate you on easily as long as they have the rooms available. Can you possibly find a good deal on the room you want, make a second reservation, and just cancel the reservation for the other one? If you can't find a good deal on a 'better' room, what gives you the impression that they could 'upgrade' you?
If you are a member of various 'clubs' that may help you. Many chains and chain families/corporations with more than one hotel brand have free membership clubs similar to airline frequent flyer rewards programs. Being an AAA or AARP, or other travel club/auto club membership might also help.
I would surf the hotel chain's website for deals, pricebreaks, clubs, etc.
If you are a late check in (say around 6pm or so) you may be able to ask if they have anything better, any cancellations, etc. if the type of room you wanted was previously booked.
Most likely if you want a 'better' room such as a jacuzzi room, or a suite or something you will probably have to pay a little more.
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