We all like a nice complimentary upgrade when we're checking into a hotel and although you can never guarantee an upgrade there are a few things you can do to push the odds more in your favour the next time you travel.
1. BE IN THEIR GANG!!!
Most hotels and hotel chains have a rewards scheme to help promote loyalty to their brands, it's usually free to sign up to any given program and you get small benefits just for singing up, and each time you stay with a specific hotel or chain of hotels you build up rewards points that entitle you to complimentary room upgrades and other benefits, and every now and again you are offered upgrades just for being in the rewards scheme even if you haven't accrued enough points to be offered the benefit, they do this to show you "what you're missing" and encourage you to book a higher room grade the next time you stay with them, it's a clever and effective way to up-sell travellers.
2. BOOK DIRECT.
If you want a better chance of getting an upgrade don't use a hotel booking site to book the cheapest rate you can find, the hotel will have to pay the booking site a commission so they are already losing out on revenue on your stay and for them to then upgrade you for free is a big ask on their part, use the hotel or hotel chains website (using your rewards scheme as discussed in tip 1) to book, when you do this you become a more valuable customer to them and you have in turn earned them more revenue and they want you to keep earning them more for future stays so are more inclined to give you a "little treat" in return.
3. BE FASHIONABLY LATE.
Try not to check in at the earliest opportunity, if you arrive when the hotel has a lot of capacity as other guests have left already and not everyone has checked in for their stay, the hotel will have no reason to upgrade you, as they have plenty of rooms to choose from. If you arrive a bit later say around 6-7pm when the majority of people have checked in and room availability is starting to be squeezed you may have a better chance, don't be too late though, you want the duty manager to be around to authorise the upgrade, any later and they may have left for the day.
4. SHOUT ABOUT HOW SPECIAL YOU ARE.
If the reason you're staying with them is because it's a birthday, a honeymoon or something else special, let them know, tell them before you stay by sending them a quick email. The reasoning behind this is simple, people are nice, even if they have never met you so if you tell them you're going to be including them in a special event in your life they will want to help make it more special for you. This may be a small thing like a bottle of wine or a basket of fruit sent to your room but it may also result in a room upgrade. So don't be shy shout about why you're special.
5. BE BOLD.
Don't be shy people, if you don't ask you're very unlikely to get anything. It may be hard for some people to just ask for an upgrade, I'm lucky, I'm a very outgoing guy and asking isn't a problem for me but my wife is a little more shy and reserved and would find it a little more difficult, but the worst thing that can happen is that they apologise and say they cannot accommodate the request. They will be asked many times a day for upgrades and other requests so what you're asking isn't going to shock or upset them, but be careful how you ask, don't be rude and expect anything, and if they say no just say something like "oh well, worth a try I guess" and don't get angry or upset. Remember your pretty much asking for something for free and the hotel has no obligation to accept your request and being rude or angry will damage any future chances you may have had.
6. COMPLAIN, BUT ONLY IF THERE'S A VALID REASON.
If you've been allocated a room and you feel it isn't to the standard you have been promised or that was advertised your well within your rights to complain and ask to be moved, however this doesn't mean you'll automatically upgraded, it depends on your approach. If you are rude and shout and are generally unpleasant when you complain they will do their best to solve your problem but they may not feel they have to do any more than that, however if your pleasant but assertive and understanding they may do a little extra, remember the people at reception are just that, "people" and they hold they key, literally!
7. USE YOUR CONTACTS.
According to Eurostat the tourism industry employs 12 million people in the EU alone so the chances are that you know of someone or at the very least know someone who knows someone working in a hotel, so ask around friends, family and colleagues and see if you could ask a favour, having someone "on the inside" could enhance your chances of getting that cheeky upgrade, and be sure to maintain this relationship for future visits.
BONUS TIP.
Say thank you!!! if you have been lucky enough to get that upgrade, show your appreciation to the person that made it happen for you, buy them a little gift or at the very least a thank you card. Again this goes back to them being people, and people like to be thanked and to feel appreciated. Be genuine don't do it for the sake of maybe getting an upgrade the next time you stay at their hotel build a relationship with that person and keep in touch, not only have you made a contact but you may have made a friend and isn't that what travel is all about? meeting new people and making new friends!
I Hope you all find these tips useful and result in an upgrade the next time you travel, and even if you're not fortunate enough the next time they may work further down the line. I'd love to hear of any success stories so please let me know whats worked for you in the comments section below, also if you liked this blog please be sure to "sign up to the blog" using the button below.
Thanks for reading
Andy