Post: #1

Never tried it, but have often heard that handing over some benjamins (discreetly i assume) when checking in will be accepted in exchange for a room upgrade

anyone tried this? wondering if this works in certain cities/hotels/situations , how much $ etc...

thanks ahead

Post: #2

Actually, I have gotten upgrades just by being nice and asking the front desk what their occupancy is like and if they could just put you in a better room? I did this once in NYC and got a balcony. No $ needed.

Post: #3

I did it at my boy's wedding in the DR. I booked the cheapest suite (which did not have many extras). One of the desk clerks took a bribe from me just to cut the long check-in line and I inquired about a room upgrade. He said this exact statement....

"anything is possible"....with a sheepish grin.

I tacked on some more bribe...and I was in the deluxe suite for WAY under the regular going rate.

Post: #4

As I have worked in hotels for 8 years I can tell you the best chances of getting an upgrade is if you arrive late on monday-thursdays (bussiness days) because they give away the standard rooms first. If they ask you if you want to upgrade I`d say it`s a very high chance they are out of standard rooms and will see if they can seqeeze you for money. Just say no and they will have to give it to you anyway, because thats all they have left.

If you arrive late you ofcourse also run the risk of the hotel being overbooked and you being relocated. That could be to a better hotel or a worse one. If you get relocated make sure you "milk the cow" and ask for an upgraded room at the new location OR, call/write to the manager the next day and tell them you demand a compensation. May I add, my experience is in norwegian hotels, but I have experienced this while traveling in Europe also. I don`t know if it goes for other territories to.

Post: #5

(03-17-2013 12:37 PM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  I did it at my boy's wedding in the DR. I booked the cheapest suite (which did not have many extras). One of the desk clerks took a bribe from me just to cut the long check-in line and I inquired about a room upgrade. He said this exact statement....

"anything is possible"....with a sheepish grin.

I tacked on some more bribe...and I was in the deluxe suite for WAY under the regular going rate.

In the Dominican Republic you can buy anything with money.

Post: #6

(03-17-2013 02:34 PM)Pete Wrote:  

(03-17-2013 12:37 PM)UrbanNerd Wrote:  I did it at my boy's wedding in the DR. I booked the cheapest suite (which did not have many extras). One of the desk clerks took a bribe from me just to cut the long check-in line and I inquired about a room upgrade. He said this exact statement....

"anything is possible"....with a sheepish grin.

I tacked on some more bribe...and I was in the deluxe suite for WAY under the regular going rate.

In the Dominican Republic you can buy anything with money.

What Pete said + 10.

Post: #7

I stay frequently in hotels through work. Both with chains where I hold status and places where I have none. My experiences is that unless you're in Vegas it's basically a throw of the dice for every time you walk up to the front desk. There's many just too many variables involved. The rank of the guy receiving you and his current mood, the occupancy of the hotel, the flexibility of their IT systems and the number of elite status holders already checked in.

I've found that just being courteous and asking politely has had a better percentage for an upgrade than sandwiching a tip. I wish I could say there's a magic bullet to this but there isn't.

(As mentioned local variances will occur such as the DR, I'm speaking globally)

Post: #8

When you say "handing over some bejamins", I take to mean hundreds, and some, to be 3+? Are you're asking if by giving $300+ you can get a better room, then the obvious answer is yes, but presuambly, you'd want to do it for less than an upgrade would cost otherwise.

As others have said, way too many variables to give a definate answer. Depends on the person, the hotel, how busy it is, the company policy, and the mood that person is in, and how you present yourself. Doesn't hurt to try though right?

In any case I highly recommend this article from Esquire, Its called the $20 theory of the universe, a guy basically sets out with a stack of $20s, and sees what he can get over and above the advertised deal. Not so much a bribe, but more a generous tip for extra service. Enjoy. http://www.esquire.com/features/ESQ0303-MAR_20DOLLARS