Getting a hotel room upgrade is easier than you think. Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Of course, it helps if you are celebrating a special occasion too. Honeymoons, birthdays, and anniversaries are all things that can help your cause. However, writing a nice letter asking for an upgrade or letting the general manager know that you have wanted to stay in their hotel for some time can also work.

Here are some steps that will help you get a hotel upgrade without having hotel status:

• Google the name of the hotel’s general manager or send a request to reservations if you can’t find that info.
• Write a letter to the manager telling them why you’d like an upgrade.
• Follow up on the letter if you don’t hear from them.
• Ask again at check-in if you have not been granted an upgrade before your arrival.
• Be flexible. Let them know that you are willing to change rooms if an upgrade becomes available. This has worked for me.
• Visiting during the off-season helps because there are more premium rooms available.

 

Getting Free Amenities at Hotels

Not only can you get an upgrade, but you can often get free amenities when you are celebrating a special occasion. Sometimes, hotels will ask you if you are celebrating something. If you don’t hear from them, reach out and let them know. When my friend Toni and I went to Costa Rica to celebrate her birthday, I told both hotels we were celebrating her birthday.

One hotel sent her a cake and sparkling grape juice on her birthday. Another had a banner on the door, sent some sweets, and offered us both a 15-minute massage.

 

 

 

Alex told the hotel we were celebrating her son’s birthday when we were at the Hyatt Regency Maui. They had cake, drinks, and treats in her room. He felt pretty special!

 

Getting an Upgrade with Hotel Status

Know what type of upgrade you can expect with your particular hotel status. For instance, as a Hyatt Globalist, I know that I can get a suite upgrade if available. I always look to see if a suite is open before I check in. That way, I can say, “I see that you have a suite available. Is it possible that I can be upgraded to that?” It’s a much safer bet that I will be upgraded after doing my homework.

For instance, at the Andaz Toranomon in Tokyo, they had me assigned to a standard room, but once I mentioned that I was a Globalist, they upgraded me to a deluxe room. Sometimes, I am informed at check-in that they are upgrading me to a deluxe room or suite, but I’ve always done my homework, just in case.

 

 

Here are some times when having the right status has its privileges. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll get an upgrade, but it can help!

• Hyatt—Explorists and Globalists should be upgraded to the best room available at check-in. This does not include suites for Explorists but does include a standard suite for Globalists.
• Marriott—Gold upgrades include space-available for premium rooms but not suites. Platinum and Titanium include premium room upgrades at check-in, including suites. To be honest, I haven’t had great success with suites with Marriott except internationally. There are no upgrades at Ritz-Carlton hotels.
• IHG – Platinum and Diamond status should get upgraded rooms. Internationally, I have received suite upgrades.
• Hilton -Diamond Elite Status gives you space-available room upgrades.

If you’d like our FREE guide “How to Request a Hotel Upgrade”, click here!

 

Bottom Line

Getting a hotel room upgrade or welcome amenities is easier than you think. The key point is that you have to ask for them. Celebrating a special occasion certainly helps, but you can sometimes get them just by being nice and telling the hotel representative how much you look forward to staying at their hotel.

 

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