How To Get Free Up Grades On Your Travels...

[krisb]

Ok was reading Davids reply on a topic about he has used chocolates as a gift to the front desk which has ended with him getting up graded to a better room. Beautiful work there by David.......round of applause!...

This got me thinking, what other ideas have others used to get free up grades. Better airline seats, better hotel rooms, better food service....anything at all where you got a better deal at no real extra expense. It feels great to get a good deal, like you've won!... and it usually means you will use the service again next time and you will tell others about them.

Id love to hear what has worked for you....

[krisb]

Ok heres some I found quickly using this new Google thingy on the internet thingy.

Timing -- Check in later, between 4-6PM as the front desk can see the cancellations and no-shows of that day. Also, if your dates are flexible, don't book on busy holiday times, as upgrades cannot be given if a hotel is at full occupancy.

Book a room in the middle price range -- It's not impossible to get upgraded when booking the cheapest room category available, but it doesn't help your odds. Book a room that is in the mid range for better chances.

Ask -- It doesn't hurt to ask, and the worst thing that can happen is that you get declined. Ask if an upgrade is available. If it's a special occasion, it doesn't hurt to volunteer that information either....If your with your partner, tell them its your honeymoon.

Where you book matters -- If you're booking a standard room, a hotel actually can give you a different room just based on the booking source you made the reservation on. Ever experience a really crappy room right by the hotel's laundry area when booking on Expedia, only to find that your friend who booked elsewhere paid the same price but got a better room?

Be nice -- It's that simple. Front desk staff and hotel managers deal with a lot of people and handle a lot of problems and stress during their day. Sometimes, just being personable, and friendly can go a long way. Take note of their name tag. Makes it more personal.

[yermanee]

Here some interesting observations regarding free upgrades for airlines :

Enjoy !

Yermanee

[David48]

Be nice -- It's that simple. Front desk staff and hotel managers deal with a lot of people and handle a lot of problems and stress during their day. Sometimes, just being personable, and friendly can go a long way. Take note of their name tag. Makes it more personal.

Agree 100% ... it can literally open doors for you.

.

[krisb]

Here some interesting observations regarding free upgrades for airlines :

http://www.thaivisa....business-class/

Enjoy !

Yermanee

Cheeky!...but worth a try.

Have you tried this Yermanee?

[lomatopo]

If your with your partner, tell them its your honeymoon.

Yeah, I'm sure they've never heard that one before.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-chan/top-10-ways-to-score-free_b_805588.html

Mostly crap.

[yermanee]

Here some interesting observations regarding free upgrades for airlines :

http://www.thaivisa....business-class/

Enjoy !

Yermanee

Cheeky!...but worth a try.

Have you tried this Yermanee?

No I haven't. The only time I received a free upgrade from business to first, was at Abu Dhabi flying to Brussels with Etihad. I spoke a few arabic words to the guy who checks the boarding passes and he was seemingly impressed, but that was years ago.

Yermanee

[RabC]

I am not sure if politeness or belonging to the airline/hotel loyalty card is the most important. Personally I am always polite but the card may well sway it in my favour.

Also I never ask directly for an upgrade, my question whether airline or hotel is, are you busy? gives them a polite way to avoid having to say no to an upgrade.

[lomatopo]

Most major and mid-major hotel loyalty programs pretty much guarantee a room upgrade based on availability, to mid- and top-tier members, along with a whole host of other benefits.

The "advice" the OP "found" is mostly garbage, and other than the obvious common-sense stuff, is not likely to lead to free upgrades. I do get a kick out of the "check in late - 16:00 - 18:00" "advice", which is obviously written by an amateur.

Hotel front-desk personnel have heard all these things before, and you'll just look/sound like a complete douche trying them. In most cases - with an advanced reservation - your room has already been pre-assigned based on any number of criteria.

[Chivas]

Check in very late for flights but within the Guidlelines and be a Frequent Flyer on the Particular Airline often leads to Upgrades I am reliably informed but if it closes 40 minutes before departure, dont turn up at 35 minutes prior...............

Edited and if you're tall and require that Aisle Seat ignore above advice !

[lomatopo]

Check in very late for flights but within the Guidlelines and be a Frequent Flyer on the Particular Airline often leads to Upgrades I am reliably informed but if it closes 40 minutes before departure, dont turn up at 35 minutes prior...............

Edited and if you're tall and require that Aisle Seat ignore above advice !

And what, pray tell, is the logic behind this "reliably informed" nugget?

This might have worked with Pan Am, or now with Nakonchai Air, but not in the real world.

[Chivas]

Check in very late for flights but within the Guidlelines and be a Frequent Flyer on the Particular Airline often leads to Upgrades I am reliably informed but if it closes 40 minutes before departure, dont turn up at 35 minutes prior...............

Edited and if you're tall and require that Aisle Seat ignore above advice !

And what, pray tell, is the logic behind this "reliably informed" nugget?

This might have worked with Pan Am, or now with Nakonchai Air, but not in the real world.

Why the apparent Suspicion......??

Heavily overbooked flights nearly always upgrade economy to Biz to their FF passengers come the close of the Flight if it balances the numbers.......

Now whilst I havent had British Airways Staff tickets since 2000 I can confirm that the same principle applies to Stand by Lists. If you were presentable and checked in way down the list of Stand By every chance you were upped to Biz.........

Only ever denied Boarding Outbound from Heathrow on BA once in 52 outbound sectors......

Nothing to do with Praying.....

[RabC]

Check in very late for flights but within the Guidlelines and be a Frequent Flyer on the Particular Airline often leads to Upgrades I am reliably informed but if it closes 40 minutes before departure, dont turn up at 35 minutes prior...............

Edited and if you're tall and require that Aisle Seat ignore above advice !

And what, pray tell, is the logic behind this "reliably informed" nugget?

This might have worked with Pan Am, or now with Nakonchai Air, but not in the real world.

Why the apparent Suspicion......??

Heavily overbooked flights nearly always upgrade economy to Biz to their FF passengers come the close of the Flight if it balances the numbers.......

Now whilst I havent had British Airways Staff tickets since 2000 I can confirm that the same principle applies to Stand by Lists. If you were presentable and checked in way down the list of Stand By every chance you were upped to Biz.........

Only ever denied Boarding Outbound from Heathrow on BA once in 52 outbound sectors......

Nothing to do with Praying.....

Outbound never seemed to be a problem on subload, it was getting back I seemed to have problems. Managed a jump seat in a 747 cockpit Muscat to LHR in the 80's.

[Chivas]

Check in very late for flights but within the Guidlelines and be a Frequent Flyer on the Particular Airline often leads to Upgrades I am reliably informed but if it closes 40 minutes before departure, dont turn up at 35 minutes prior...............

Edited and if you're tall and require that Aisle Seat ignore above advice !

And what, pray tell, is the logic behind this "reliably informed" nugget?

This might have worked with Pan Am, or now with Nakonchai Air, but not in the real world.

Why the apparent Suspicion......??

Heavily overbooked flights nearly always upgrade economy to Biz to their FF passengers come the close of the Flight if it balances the numbers.......

Now whilst I havent had British Airways Staff tickets since 2000 I can confirm that the same principle applies to Stand by Lists. If you were presentable and checked in way down the list of Stand By every chance you were upped to Biz.........

Only ever denied Boarding Outbound from Heathrow on BA once in 52 outbound sectors......

Nothing to do with Praying.....

Outbound never seemed to be a problem on subload, it was getting back I seemed to have problems. Managed a jump seat in a 747 cockpit Muscat to LHR in the 80's.

Never denied Reverse Boarding from Bangkok to London on BA but it became more "easier" when you could use Qantas as well with same ID90 ticket.

[lomatopo]

Why the apparent Suspicion......??

Heavily overbooked flights nearly always upgrade economy to Biz to their FF passengers come the close of the Flight if it balances the numbers.......

Int'l DMs start getting worked 24 hours before departure, always via an automated process.

What I am trying to understand is the logic behind checking in late? If you are hoping for an Op-Up then I would submit that checking in on-line, as soon as possible (and this may be possible up to 48 hours prior to departure) would be advisable.

Edited to add: OK, I see your experience is from 13 years ago. Things have changed.

Not sure what this has to do with hotel upgrades?

[Chivas]

Why the apparent Suspicion......??

Heavily overbooked flights nearly always upgrade economy to Biz to their FF passengers come the close of the Flight if it balances the numbers.......

Int'l DMs start getting worked 24 hours before departure, always via an automated process.

What I am trying to understand is the logic behind checking in late? If you are hoping for an Op-Up then I would submit that checking in on-line, as soon as possible (and this may be possible up to 48 hours prior to departure) would be advisable.

Edited to add: OK, I see your experience is from 13 years ago. Things have changed.

Not sure what this has to do with hotel upgrades?

Well I suggest Sir you go back and read in entirety the OP...........

[lomatopo]

Well I suggest Sir you go back and read in entirety the OP...........

Well, we've already had a longish thread on how to get free airline upgrades, which involved wearing cologne, among other "reliably informed" recommendations.

And I am waiting to hear how we can get free food in a restaurant, or at least a free upgrade to steak from a hamburger.

And the OP seemed focused on hotel upgrades as they copied text from an article covering that singular topic.

[krisb]

Well I suggest Sir you go back and read in entirety the OP...........

Well, we've already had a longish thread on how to get free airline upgrades, which involved wearing cologne, among other "reliably informed" recommendations.

And I am waiting to hear how we can get free food in a restaurant, or at least a free upgrade to steak from a hamburger.

And the OP seemed focused on hotel upgrades as they copied text from an article covering that singular topic.

The copy paste was something I checked out quickly. If it isnt your cup of tea, tell us what is instead of criticizing, be constructive. Stop telling us all its all crap.

Re read the op, I thought there may be some ideas that work out there perhaps may get us up graded. Why not?. You never know unless you ask.

[lomatopo]

The copy paste was something I checked out quickly. If it isnt your cup of tea, tell us what is instead of criticizing, be constructive. Stop telling us all its all crap.

Re read the op, I thought there may be some ideas that work out there perhaps may get us up graded. Why not?. You never know unless you ask.

Everything in the article you copied from is crap. Sorry to be non-constructive.

I would submit that asking for a free room upgrade, a free airline upgrade or a free meal really just makes you look like a rube, douche, moron, putz, and is insulting to the front-line service personnel you are dealing with. Maybe back in 1960 this stuff worked but it doesn't today.

By giving away free stuff to customers businesses quickly reduce the value of any of their premium products. Everyone jumps on the internet and tells millions how they got a free upgrade then everyone expects a free upgrade and never pays for the premium product.

Chivas plops down next to me in business class bragging about his free upgrade while I paid 5x for the same seat. How do you think I will value that transaction?

Look, in some instances it is possible for a win-win situation - "if the 09:00 flight is oversold I will volunteer for a VDB, if that helps you out in any way, I can fly out on the 11:00 flight", which might result in a voucher and/or Op-Up on the later flight, but you've volunteered something which helps the CSR. Just trying to mooch something for free is, well....

[RabC]

Well I suggest Sir you go back and read in entirety the OP...........

Well, we've already had a longish thread on how to get free airline upgrades, which involved wearing cologne, among other "reliably informed" recommendations.

And I am waiting to hear how we can get free food in a restaurant, or at least a free upgrade to steak from a hamburger.

And the OP seemed focused on hotel upgrades as they copied text from an article covering that singular topic.

The copy paste was something I checked out quickly. If it isnt your cup of tea, tell us what is instead of criticizing, be constructive. Stop telling us all its all crap.

Re read the op, I thought there may be some ideas that work out there perhaps may get us up graded. Why not?. You never know unless you ask.

So I am not the only one.......

[Poo Ying FeFe]

My fiancé was boarding our Qatar flight... The lady at the desk (in Doha) says "aww you have such a nice face" looking at him and his passport... She goes on to offer him a business class upgrade! I'm standing there flabbergasted! I had already gone through but was standing next to the desk waiting for him. She then looks over to me and realises that his ticket is linked with mine and says "oh you are travelling with Miss F####, never mind. Sorry"

So, If you are attractive and travelling solo... You might be offered a free upgrade when Economy is busy and Business is quiet.

I was gutted... And a good job my fiancé looked over at me, otherwise he would have a sore head for leaving me behind in Economy!!

[Chivas]

The copy paste was something I checked out quickly. If it isnt your cup of tea, tell us what is instead of criticizing, be constructive. Stop telling us all its all crap.

Re read the op, I thought there may be some ideas that work out there perhaps may get us up graded. Why not?. You never know unless you ask.

Chivas plops down next to me in business class bragging about his free upgrade while I paid 5x for the same seat. How do you think I will value that transaction?

Whats got your Goat today Buddy......!!

Where on earth have I indicated that I might possibly Bragg about being Upgraded...........??

I assure you that when I have the good fortune to be upgraded I sure has hell dont boast about it to fellow passengers........

I drink the Champers and I keep my Gob firmly shut..................

[metisdead]

A personal attack post has been removed,

[pomchop]

Getting a hotel "upgrade" in Thailand can often be as simple as asking to see several different rooms and then pick the one with the best view/location....especially in the smaller hotels where most of the rooms are priced the same but to many farangs the view or location makes one better than the other. If you want a sunset view you need to figure out which rooms have that and ask for one. The front desk typically really doesn't CARE which room they assign you and they will nearly always let you go and have a look at several different rooms if you ask and they are not full. I have found that checking in on monday will typically mean the hotel has MORE empty rooms as most of the weekend traffic departs on sun/mon ...more empty rooms means more chance of an upgraded room...check in on sun/mon and check out on friday a.m. and your odds improve. And of course it NEVER HURTS to be very polite and nice to the front desk staff...some small gift may also improve your odds. The bigger chains have way more room categories and much stricter rules as to who has to approve upgrades and under what circumstances.

No gurantees but above has worked well for me over the years.

[lomatopo]

My fiancé was boarding our Qatar flight... The lady at the desk (in Doha) says "aww you have such a nice face" looking at him and his passport... She goes on to offer him a business class upgrade! I'm standing there flabbergasted! I had already gone through but was standing next to the desk waiting for him. She then looks over to me and realises that his ticket is linked with mine and says "oh you are travelling with Miss F####, never mind. Sorry"

So, If you are attractive and travelling solo... You might be offered a free upgrade when Economy is busy and Business is quiet.

I was gutted... And a good job my fiancé looked over at me, otherwise he would have a sore head for leaving me behind in Economy!!

Your experience would seem to indicate that you are not attractive enough to warrant an upgrade, but your fiance is? Maybe he is a QR frequent flier, and thus eligible for an OpUp, which was presented in a flattering manner, not realizing you are his fiancee?

One hopes that, if only one upgrade was available, he would give that seat to you and he would ride in Economy? If not, maybe he's not a "keeper"?

I assure you that when I have the good fortune to be upgraded I sure has hell dont boast about it to fellow passengers........

I drink the Champers and I keep my Gob firmly shut..................

You might keep your pie hole shut, but most do not. I was merely using your handle as an easy reference.

Free riders, buddy pass/ID90 pax, almost always keep quiet unless they've drunk too much "champers", and is some cases, are subject to dress codes.

[Chivas]

My fiancé was boarding our Qatar flight... The lady at the desk (in Doha) says "aww you have such a nice face" looking at him and his passport... She goes on to offer him a business class upgrade! I'm standing there flabbergasted! I had already gone through but was standing next to the desk waiting for him. She then looks over to me and realises that his ticket is linked with mine and says "oh you are travelling with Miss F####, never mind. Sorry"

So, If you are attractive and travelling solo... You might be offered a free upgrade when Economy is busy and Business is quiet.

I was gutted... And a good job my fiancé looked over at me, otherwise he would have a sore head for leaving me behind in Economy!!

Your experience would seem to indicate that you are not attractive enough to warrant an upgrade, but your fiance is? Maybe he is a QR frequent flier, and thus eligible for an OpUp, which was presented in a flattering manner, not realizing you are his fiancee?

One hopes that, if only one upgrade was available, he would give that seat to you and he would ride in Economy? If not, maybe he's not a "keeper"?

I assure you that when I have the good fortune to be upgraded I sure has hell dont boast about it to fellow passengers........

I drink the Champers and I keep my Gob firmly shut..................

You might keep your pie hole shut, but most do not. I was merely using your handle as an easy reference.

Free riders, buddy pass/ID90 pax, almost always keep quiet unless they've drunk too much "champers", and is some cases, are subject to dress codes.

Charmed I'm sure but still at a loss to what you're banging on about.........

[theblether]

My fiancé was boarding our Qatar flight... The lady at the desk (in Doha) says "aww you have such a nice face" looking at him and his passport... She goes on to offer him a business class upgrade! I'm standing there flabbergasted! I had already gone through but was standing next to the desk waiting for him. She then looks over to me and realises that his ticket is linked with mine and says "oh you are travelling with Miss F####, never mind. Sorry"

So, If you are attractive and travelling solo... You might be offered a free upgrade when Economy is busy and Business is quiet.

I was gutted... And a good job my fiancé looked over at me, otherwise he would have a sore head for leaving me behind in Economy!!

Your experience would seem to indicate that you are not attractive enough to warrant an upgrade, but your fiance is? Maybe he is a QR frequent flier, and thus eligible for an OpUp, which was presented in a flattering manner, not realizing you are his fiancee?

One hopes that, if only one upgrade was available, he would give that seat to you and he would ride in Economy? If not, maybe he's not a "keeper"?

I assure you that when I have the good fortune to be upgraded I sure has hell dont boast about it to fellow passengers........

I drink the Champers and I keep my Gob firmly shut..................

You might keep your pie hole shut, but most do not. I was merely using your handle as an easy reference.

Free riders, buddy pass/ID90 pax, almost always keep quiet unless they've drunk too much "champers", and is some cases, are subject to dress codes.

I don't think your crack about the attractiveness of Poo Ying FeFe was warranted, maybe you can afford to fly Business Class but you sure ain't no gentleman.

[ThaiPauly]

I have only been offered an upgrade on a flight once in my 20 or so flights to the UK

That was when they miss-printed my name on the ticket and put my initials as DR instead of PR

The check in gal said "We can upgrade you to first class today DOCTOR"

Made my day

[rookball]

not really upgraded but for some strange reasons a particular airline flight was full and have no seats left and was asked if i could take the next morning flight. not only did i got upgraded to 1st class from business, there was arranged transport to the hotel which they paid for. top of that all beverages and meals ordered to my room were paid for