10 Tips to Score a Free Hotel Room Upgrade

Nothing compares to the comfort of a comfy hotel room with big windows displaying breathtaking views, exceptional room service, and relaxing décor to get you up and out on your vacation of a lifetime. 

While it's tempting to stay put for what you've got, why not upgrade if you're yearning for more during your stay?

How To Get Free Hotel Upgrade ?

Can You Actually Get a Complimentary Room Upgrade?

​To get a complimentary room upgrade at a hotel, you need to know if the hotel has those kinds of upgrades and how to recognize them. 

For instance, checking on their official website the type of room they have available on your check-in day is a great way to know if they can give you an upgrade.

You also need to know at what level they can be reached and how much they will be. For example, the Hilton brand offers complimentary upgrades for premium guests only at specific properties and only on business days.

Is it Seen as Rude to Request a Room Upgrade?

​The short answer is that it isn’t considered particularly rude to ask for a room upgrade. Most of the time, when a superior room is available, you may get a free upgrade just by asking the receptionist.

Usually, just being friendly and polite can do the trick. But in case it doesn’t, you can try one of these tips to score a free hotel room upgrade here below.

10 Tips to Score a Free Hotel Room Upgrade

​Have you ever walked into a hotel lobby thinking about a fantastic hotel room that will be given to you, only to discover that the standards weren’t what you were expecting?

That's because the experience of being at a hotel is simply all about the room quality.

If you want to improve your stay without any hassle, here are ten tips to get a free hotel room upgrade: 

Plan Your Hotel Stay During The Off-Season

​Upon reserving a room in the off-season, ask the hotel staff about their upgrade and rates policies. In general, hotels make their upgrade decisions based on occupancy. 

Calmer seasons mean that the hotel will have more rooms available. And more rooms, in general, translate to higher chances of scoring a free room upgrade. 

Be Part of a Hotel Loyalty Program

​Loyal guests are considerably more likely to take advantage of free upgrades than casual ones, whether through a hotel-linked card or a membership rewards club. 

Examine the perks to see which ones are most suitable for your travel habits. Some provide lower requirements to join, allowing complimentary upgrades depending on availability, while others include standard upgraded rooms.

Out of them all, the best hotel loyalty programs are the Hilton Honors Loyalty Program, the  Hyatt Hotels Loyalty Program, and Wyndham Rewards. These are by far the ones that will help you the most get a free upgrade.

Inform Reception You’re Celebrating A Special Event

Drop a special event, such as an engagement or a birthday, into the conversation. Don't just plunge in and be upfront about it; chat about it casually throughout the discussion. 

Hotel employees will see you as a real customer and be more inclined to go the extra mile to make sure that your hotel is better than ever before.

Apart from that, when booking your initial room - may it be on the official website or third-party ones, we recommend writing a short note to mention the occasion.

For instance, “Looking forward to staying with you for my birthday” is a great and subtle way to tell them.

Check-in Late

If you want to request an upgrade, keep in mind that your check-in time is crucial. Avoid the peak times and try to check-in between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m., when the front desk may be less crowded, and staff will have time to consider your requests. 

This is especially convenient for people working remotely as these times match the end of their shift and, as a result, remote workers have more chances to get a free upgrade.

In the morning, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m., front desks are usually quite busy in the evening from 6 until 8 p.m. Guest departures are generally scheduled from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

If you arrive before or during busy hours, the hotel staff will give you the first available room and will probably be too busy to fulfill special demands or provide free upgrades. 

You might be missing out on superior rooms that aren't yet vacant or cleaned. If you arrive after everyone else has departed, you'll get the final rooms still available.

Become a Loyal Guest

​If you find a hotel that meets your demands and enjoy your stay, keep reserving the same place and getting to know the staff. 

This is especially crucial for company travelers who may repeatedly visit the same cities and want to upgrade their rooms. If you discover a hotel that matches your needs and that you like, stick with it.

If you're a returning customer, your hotel is likely to upgrade you. If you had a particular hotel room on a prior visit that you liked, just ask—hotels love recognizing their repeating customers. This is another of the many methods to get a free hotel room upgrade

Travel on your birthday

We previously mentioned special events that include birthdays. However, let’s go into the subject more in-depth.

Birthdays are always fun and important, and hotels are just waiting for an opportunity to make guests feel welcome. Sure, while spending your birthday at a hotel doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be upgraded for free, it dramatically increases your chances.

If not, receptionists and managers will provide a more attractive view or additional facilities are offered without increasing your stay's price.

Let the Staff Know if it’s Your Honeymoon

Hotel receptionists and owners realize it's a big day and want it to be the most unforgettable holiday. 

For this reason, you will want to notify the staff when making a reservation to increase your chances of getting upgrades and unique services. 

This is something that works particularly well on popular honeymoon destinations around the world. ​

Call the Hotel Directly to Book

​Rather than booking on third-party websites, calling or emailing the hotel to make your reservation is a safer choice to get a room upgrade. In fact, hotels pay a commission to third-party services and receiving a direct booking means saving money.

If the hotel isn't earning at least 10% and 20%, it has more space to offer you a complimentary upgrade, dinner, or add some special touches to your room.

Also, as a general rule of thumb, direct customers are preferred and usually get better rooms than those who book online.

Be Nice to the Staff Members

​Introduce yourself to the front desk or concierge, and try to form a connection. Introduce yourself and be polite. This can significantly enhance your chances of receiving a free upgrade. People are more willing to provide gratuities for people they know or they like.

Generally speaking, receptionists have the power to decide who receives free room upgrades. So ask nicely but persistently. Keep in mind that, unless you paid for it, you wouldn’t have a right to get an upgrade anyway, so be as nice as possible.

Extend Your Stay

​If you stay longer than average - for instance, ten days, the hotel will treat you well. In a world where everything is about reviews online, hotels usually try to accommodate their guests’ needs and make them happy.

Naturally, you’re not guaranteed to get a free room upgrade when staying at a hotel for an extended stay, but this is certainly a great way to increase your chances.

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​VISION Destinations | December 21

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