Hotel: Caesars Date: March 5-7 Time: 10:00 am Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: F Clerk Age Aprox.: mid 20's Tip Amount: $20 Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Standard King Bed Room booked through totalrewards.com Upgraded To: Tower Suite
Taught the $20 trick to my friend who finally used it and it worked for him. My friend is an extremely regular traveller and this is the first time he has ever done this trick. (To be fair, he normally doens't travel to tourist areas as most of his travel is for business).
Anywho, he has been the benefit of the $20 trick via me as we have travelled to Vegas together. But today he finally did it as the results are above.
Hotel: Bally's Date: Feb27 - March3 Time: 10:00 pm Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: F Clerk Age Aprox.: late 20's Tip Amount: $50 Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Standard King, North Tower Upgraded To: Grand Suite w/ Jacuzzi Tub, North Tower, Upper Floor
Asked the clerk to see if any complementary upgrades were available after handing her the sandwich w/ a little extra "meat" in it. (stuck $50 in vs. $20 this time since I was staying 5 nites). I was shooting for the larger "Grand Suite" w/ jacuzzi tub due to the increased sq. footage. The clerk was clearly knowledgeable about the process and what I was after. She had me keyed and on my way in a matter of minutes.
Hotel: Bellagio Date: March 16-19 Time: 8:00pm Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: Male Clerk Age Aprox.: late 20s Tip Amount: $20 each (2 rooms) Success?: Yes / No Reserved Room: Resort Room (2 rooms) Upgraded To: Bellagio Suite / None
How It Happened: We were two couples and walked up at the same time, both handed over the sandwich and asked for upgrades. He immediately warned us that it was very full this weekend for Spring Break and St. Patty's Day and that it was pretty late on a Friday. He checked his computer, made a call and came back saying he only had 1 upgrade available for a Bellagio Suite. I gave it to my friend since it was his birthday, and we didn't get any upgrade on our room.
He kept both tips, so the lesson here is to not go up at the same time in a group.
tomrgreen said: Is there any chance of the front desk clerk getting fired? I'm interested in this but don't want to have somebody lose their job over it.
I doubt it, it's pretty common practice, however, I did get yelled at very loudly by one at the Golden Nugget a few years ago. He made it perfectly clear they can't take tips and he doesn't have any upgrades available.
Hotel: Hard Rock Date: March 25-27 Time: 2:00 pm Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: F Clerk Age Aprox.: mid 20's Tip Amount: $20 (actrualy $0) Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Casino Tower Mountain King Upgraded To: Paridise Tower Pool King
Gave her the $20 and said it is our first time in Vegas. She offered us a Paridise Tower Pool King in the 18th floor(top floor) and RETURNed the $20 to us.
Hotel: MGM Date: March 31 - April 4 Time: 5:00 am Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: m Clerk Age Aprox.: late 20's Tip Amount: $20 Success?: No Reserved Room: Standard King Bed Room Upgraded To: better floor, and 2 free buffet passes ($37 value each pass, nice buffet too.)
Got shot down initially, but pushed a little more and asked if he could ask the boss. Got better floor, but same standard room. Did manage to get 2 free buffet passes comp'ed though.
NOTICE: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would like to REALLY anyone thinking about staying at the MGM of what my experience was. The room was TINY, the TV reception went out a lot, and the water was out for a WHILE one morning, no shower or anything!!! NO WATER... are they kidding me. Additionally the shower is right next to the toilet which share a single glass partition that doesn't go up to the ceiling... meaning you shower while SMELLING what's going on next to you as well as nearly seeing though to it. Also the walls were thin enough for me to hear the people next door easily. And the window washer woke us up at 9:00AM banging on the window near our heads. NOT THE BEST STAY I'VE HAD IN VEGAS. Boo..... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hotel: Luxor Date: April 5-8 Time: 10:30 am Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: M Clerk Age Aprox.: early 40s Tip Amount: $20 Success?: Yes/kinda Reserved Room: regular room, tower Upgraded To: bigger room by 50 sqft, tower, with partial strip/airport view
Gave him the $20 sandwhich and asked for a free upgrade. initially didn't even see the $. he offered a better room, said all suites were booked from tues-sun of that week for a convention in town but would "upgrade" to a room which was normally $20/more nightly and was the best he could do. went to charge and finally saw the $20. offered it back to us since he didn't really give us an upgrade. i took it back.
Hotel: The Rio Date: 08/08/2012 Time: 11:30am Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: Female Clerk Age Aprox.: late 20's Tip Amount: $20 Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Cheapest one Upgraded To: Premium room on high floor overlooking strip and pool.
How It Happened: Asked if there were any "complementary upgrades" available, there apparently were
I am curious of anyone has had this luck while booking through Vegas.com or lasvegas.com? The reason I ask is since everything is booked before I arrive, can the front desk upgrade from what I have selected or am I stuck with my booking selection? I am taking my girlfriend for her birthday and booking at Treasure Island. I would LOVE to get a nice room with a strip view for us to enjoy together. Thanks SO much for any input and love this thread!
SteelerFanatic said: I am curious of anyone has had this luck while booking through Vegas.com or lasvegas.com? The reason I ask is since everything is booked before I arrive, can the front desk upgrade from what I have selected or am I stuck with my booking selection? I am taking my girlfriend for her birthday and booking at Treasure Island. I would LOVE to get a nice room with a strip view for us to enjoy together. Thanks SO much for any input and love this thread!
Robert
I don't think where you booked makes much different (I could be wrong), but we booked a package (flight and hotel) through Travelocity and it still worked for us at the Bellagio. And we paid an insanely cheap rate overall. I'd say when you get there, do the sandwich with the money visible and give it a shot.
Hotel: Palazzo Date: 05/03/2013 Time: 10:00 PM Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: Female Clerk Age Aprox.: late 20's Tip Amount: $20 Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Cheapest one - Priceline bidding Upgraded To: 48th Floor Strip view (they have 50 floors)
How It Happened: Huge line for checkin..Friday night..Didn't think it will work because of late check-in and many people checking in. We thought all the upgrades are probably given out already. Was greeted by a nice lady. Sandwitched and asked for a complementary upgrade, if available. She said let me check. and came up with a nice room. Very nice lady. Even asked if i need change for $20. I said please keep it.
SteelerFanatic said: I am curious of anyone has had this luck while booking through Vegas.com or lasvegas.com? The reason I ask is since everything is booked before I arrive, can the front desk upgrade from what I have selected or am I stuck with my booking selection? I am taking my girlfriend for her birthday and booking at Treasure Island. I would LOVE to get a nice room with a strip view for us to enjoy together. Thanks SO much for any input and love this thread!
Robert
I have booked everywhere from vegas.com to costcotravel.com and yes, Priceline. I have never had an issue being upgraded *but* I do make it a point to check in as close to 2pm as I possibly can, especially if I check in on a Fri or Sat. Once you go past 5pm or so on the weekend, you run the risk of not being upgraded.
A bit off topic but I'm wondering if anyone has tried the front desk "sandwich" for a cruise? I'm trying to figure out how to get a complimentary cabin upgrade with Royal Caribbean. Thanks
Hotel: Planet Hollywood Date: May 9-12 Time: 12:30PM Airport or Hotel Check-in: Hotel Clerk Gender: Male Clerk Age Aprox.: early 30's Tip Amount: $20 Success?: Yes Reserved Room: Hollywood Hip King through Expedia Upgraded To: Strip Suite w/ Bellagio fountains view and free daily internet access.
I went to the desk, he asked for the name on my reservation and to provide an ID. At this point I passed the ID with the credit card and the $20 in between. He noticed the money and asked "is this for me?", I answered "Yes, it is", he was very thankful. Then I asked "Do you have any complimentary upgrades?" and his words "yes, I will hook you up". Very nice guy, very thankful for my tip. I ended up savings hundreds of dollars and my wife was extremely happy to have a view of the fountain (one of her favorite things in the world). I had originally booked for May 8 thru 12, but our flight was delayed and we did not arrive until May 9 at 12:30PM. Check in time is 4PM, but he allowed me to check in at 12:30PM and provided me with an amazing room!
Hotel: Rio Date: May 11-12 Time: 3pm Clerk Gender: F Clerk Age Aprox.: 25-30 Tip Amount: $20 Success?: HELL YES Reserved Room: 2 Deluxe Suites via Hotels.com Upgraded To: Premium Suite? Hard to tell from pictures on Rio website
Went to desk, she asked for reservation name. After she found my name she asked for id and CC. Gave her the 20 dollar sandwich. After placing both cards on monitor lip, she picked up money like a pro, looked back at me, flashed a smile, then asked "Are you looking for a room with a view or a...". She understood immediately. Didn't make a big deal, she just proceeded to hook me up. Told her I would be cool with any available upgrade. She smiled, asked me to wait a few minutes. She typed away. She called somebody. Was on hold for a bit. Finally, she said she found two rooms that are connected. Said one room was being cleaned but the other was ready for us to go up. She'd call us to the desk when the other room was ready. She didn't say what type of room it was or the name of it (hence the questionable room description). It was on the 20th floor. Only accessible by putting in room key in elevator (good sign). My wildest imagination could not have prepared me for the type of room it was. IT WAS HUGE. IT WAS LUXURIOUS. Everything was amazing. Can't tell from pics on website which specific one it was. I took a video tour with my phone. YouTube links after the break. Pretty f**king awesome upgrade. Shout out to SnoopaL000P for the tip and the link to this site.
If you already book a premium suite like at the bellagio for $500 a night or wynn for $600 a night, can they still upgrade even more with a $20 comp? Or do the people require override once the rooms hit a certain level
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