I tipped $20 to the front desk and got an upgrade!

It happened again guys! Made a quick video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBak9PlzrA

Honestly, the $20 may not be worth the risk on a room that is $30 more... but check it out :)

Also included a review of the Flamingo Go Room which I think was great value :)

Quote: Kenji

It happened again guys! Made a quick video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gBak9PlzrA

Honestly, the $20 may not be worth the risk on a room that is $30 more... but check it out :)

Also included a review of the Flamingo Go Room which I think was great value :)

Did you first try simply asking for an upgrade without giving him $20?

A GO room is not much of an upgrade, maybe 10 years ago, but good for you. Value is where you find it.

Before i commented, I wanted to see if Kenj was a regular contributor. Looks like he just signed up to post his video. That is cool. He is doing digital marketing and finding places for his product. I applaud him for that and his editing is pretty good.

That being said, what did you look for in a front desk agent while you were hanging around looking busy in line? Did you look for a cute guy with a twinkle in his eye? A hot chick who may think you are cute? Someone that you believed needed money? Or quite simply, just a positive vibe ? All of the above? I think you could have gotten the upgrade without the tip, although a nice gesture.

Meanwile, said front desk agent has been fired for accepting bribes. Nice job K!

Nice "trip report"—thanks for sharing it! That must have taken you hours to edit!

Some web-searching will lead one to various message boards about visitors' success with the "$20 sandwich" trick. I haven't tried it. More than a decade ago, I told the Tropicana front-desk agent that it was our honeymoon, and she upgraded us to a suite—of course, it really WAS our honeymoon.

Quote: smoothgrh

Nice "trip report"—thanks for sharing it! That must have taken you hours to edit!

Some web-searching will lead one to various message boards about visitors' success with the "$20 sandwich" trick. I haven't tried it. More than decade ago, I told the Tropicana front-desk agent that it was our honeymoon, and she upgraded us to a suite—of course, it really WAS our honeymoon.

Did you give them $20 as well? Its known that just saying its your honeymoon or whatever can lead to an upgrade.

Perhaps the 'Honeymoon' routine works so well as a 'my condolences' upgrade. : (

Quote: WatchMeWin

Meanwile, said front desk agent has been fired for accepting bribes. Nice job K!

Is that true? I've never personally tried this, but my assumption is that the hotel has rooms available and wants to make people happy. Agent gets $15, the boss gets $5, everyone is happy. Is there any reported instance of someone being fired for taking a $20 to upgrade a room? Seems unlikely.

Quote: razmaspaz

Is that true? I've never personally tried this, but my assumption is that the hotel has rooms available and wants to make people happy. Agent gets $15, the boss gets $5, everyone is happy. Is there any reported instance of someone being fired for taking a $20 to upgrade a room? Seems unlikely.

No man... I was totally kidding. haha I have no idea who the front desk agent is.

Quote: AxelWolf

Did you first try simply asking for an upgrade without giving him $20?

I have often wondered if the $20 Trick works just as well without the $20. I've never asked specifically for "an upgrade," but I have made specific requests at check-in (view, high floor, quiet room, etc.) and most of the time they are honored by the clerk, if they are available.

Last year, without even asking, we got upgraded to a suite at check-in on 3 occasions for no particular reason (that we were aware of) -- twice at non-Vegas CET properties, and once in a non-casino property in STL.

Quote: WatchMeWin

No man... I was totally kidding. haha I have no idea who the front desk agent is.

I figured you had no inside knowledge on this particular attempt, but wasn't sure about how the hotels viewed this practice. I'm guessing they are ambivalent about the whole thing.

Quote: Joeman

I have often wondered if the $20 Trick works just as well without the $20. I've never asked specifically for "an upgrade," but I have made specific requests at check-in (view, high floor, quiet room, etc.) and most of the time they are honored by the clerk, if they are available.

Last year, without even asking, we got upgraded to a suite at check-in on 3 occasions for no particular reason (that we were aware of) -- twice at non-Vegas CET properties, and once in a non-casino property in STL.

There is a thread around somewhere on this forum talking about this( I think it's EB who is certain it works) If you do some research, the hotel experts explain how the upgrades work and why. It has something to do with the time of day and how many rooms have been booked. They give you tips on how to get free upgrades.



I'm sure giving $20 works sometimes, but probably in the joints where its not really worth it.

Quote: AxelWolf

Did you give them $20 as well? Its known that just saying its your honeymoon or whatever can lead to an upgrade.

No, it really was our honeymoon. In our flight to Europe two weeks prior, we told the ticket agent that we were traveling for our honeymoon, and got upgraded to business class!

The previous year we stayed in New Orleans, and the front desk agent did something nice for us (I can't remember what), so I wanted to thank her by giving her a tip. She reacted by stepping back, as if a gator had been presented to her, and said she was not allowed to accept tips. So from then, I have always thought that front desk staff aren't allowed to accept tips—and the whole $20 sandwich trick is a questionable maneuver. But my experience with the amazing customer service in New Orleans was on a whole new level, and maybe tipping in Las Vegas has a different standard?

Quote: smoothgrh

No, it really was our honeymoon. In our flight to Europe two weeks prior, we told the ticket agent that we were traveling for our honeymoon, and got upgraded to business class!

The previous year we stayed in New Orleans, and the front desk agent did something nice for us (I can't remember what), so I wanted to thank her by giving her a tip. She reacted by stepping back, as if a gator had been presented to her, and said she was not allowed to accept tips. So from then, I have always thought that front desk staff aren't allowed to accept tips—and the whole $20 sandwich trick is a questionable maneuver. But my experience with the amazing customer service in New Orleans was on a whole new level, and maybe tipping in Las Vegas has a different standard?

It might vary from place to place, however, I think if an employee was caught giving upgrades based on tips they could lose their job.

I rarely ask for upgrades. I either have a nice room already, or I end up at a place while on the road that doesn't really have anything worth upgrading to. I travel often, but its rarely for pleasure, so its not like I am there trying to relax and enjoy the room. I just take whatever comes with the casino offer, sometimes they just happen to be some big fancy suite. Depending on the situation, when hosts ask me if I want a suite I will sometimes say, "no I just need a regular room." I would rather get more food comps, extra rooms in the future or something else.

If its a place I dont think ill be going back to, at least for a long while. I will ask for the works.

I imagine the hotel is, at best, ambivalent on tipping for upgrades. That's why you discretely hide the $20 between your ID and credit card instead of handing it directly to the clerk.

As for whether or not the $20 is necessary or if you could get the same upgrade without a tip, I guess I'm predisposed because I'm a tipped casino employee myself. I know that tips make the world go round in Vegas, and I don't mind flipping the hotel clerk what usually amounts to 1% or less of my bankroll. That clerk is just one of many people I'll be tipping as the week wears on.

Last week I did the same $20 trick at the Flamingo, and was given an "Executive room" on the 27th floor. In retrospect, it might not have been much of an "upgrade" per se, but looking at the square footage and the view, it sure felt like one at the time. And I think that's what really matters.

A couple years ago, I took an early morning flight out of NY and got to the Rio around 11AM. I wasn't expecting we'd get into our rooms but there was no line so we tried. Guy was friendly but said the rooms weren't ready. I asked if we could check the bags and he directed us to the bell station. I thanked him and tipped him $10.
As we were walking away, he called us back and said a room was available. Turned out to be two bedroom suite with a living room and kitchen. Two bathrooms, with a hot tub in one. I'm 100% sure, in this case, the tip worked fine.
Done it many times at car rentals ,as well. Don't tip the counter guy, tip the yard guy. Only time it didn't work, the guy told me the guy he replaced was fired for accepting bribes.

Quote: Joeman

I have often wondered if the $20 Trick works just as well without the $20. I've never asked specifically for "an upgrade," but I have made specific requests at check-in (view, high floor, quiet room, etc.) and most of the time they are honored by the clerk, if they are available.

Last year, without even asking, we got upgraded to a suite at check-in on 3 occasions for no particular reason (that we were aware of) -- twice at non-Vegas CET properties, and once in a non-casino property in STL.

Last year my wife and I were at a Cet non vegas hotel. It was kinda late and only 1 front desk person. She was occupied with angry people that had 4 people in the room and needed a suite. Person told them they were all taken. After 10 minutes of them complaining the manager came out and called us over to another terminal. We gave her our name and she responds, oh it looks like we have upgraded you to a suite. I didn't even ask aND no idea why they did it. I kinda felt bad since we only had 2 people, but not bad enough to ask to give it to them.

This conversation is so Trip Advisor 10 years ago. Caused the first banning of TA members back then on the LV forum.

Quote: GWAE

Last year my wife and I were at a Cet non vegas hotel. It was kinda late and only 1 front desk person. She was occupied with angry people that had 4 people in the room and needed a suite. Person told them they were all taken. After 10 minutes of them complaining the manager came out and called us over to another terminal. We gave her our name and she responds, oh it looks like we have upgraded you to a suite. I didn't even ask aND no idea why they did it. I kinda felt bad since we only had 2 people, but not bad enough to ask to give it to them.

I feel like my $20 trick at Golden Nugget went similarly. The person right before me was some hot-shot whining his head off, pacing around like a lunatic. Once he leaves, I'm next. I approach the counter with a smile and quietly say to the clerk in a friendly tone, "I think he took that rather well..."

I don't understand why anyone would tip trying to get a room upgrade. Simply ask what other rooms are available, then say "I'll pay an extra $20 for this room," while handing over a $20 bill. That way there's no chance of them just taking your money as a tip and not upgrading. The staff also knows the property a lot better and could just be giving you a lateral change and not really an upgrade.

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Somewhat related. Had a $330 suite at Cosmo for a reception. Would have cost another $100 for a view of Bellagio fountains. Obviously didn't pay, but the room they gave us still ended up with the best view of the fountains possible

Quote: TomG

Somewhat related. Had a $330 suite at Cosmo for a reception. Would have cost another $100 for a view of Bellagio fountains. Obviously didn't pay, but the room they gave us still ended up with the best view of the fountains possible

We got 55th floor there in the west tower facing the fountains. Great view, especially at night. Thank you Motor City. :-D

Anything given away in Vegas is based on a calculation that they are getting more in return. Anyone without a history of playing (losing) somewhere in the system is not getting a free upgrade. Dreamers have been pitching this fantasy to first time visitors for years. Casinos don't give a damn what you are celebrating if your not playing.

Wow, that Go suite had the ugliest color/decoration scheme!

For anyone interested, here's a website devoted to the $20 trick that shows people's results after trying it: $20 Trick

Last time we left Cosmo my host comped the suite entirely and most of the food, but half-complained that we stayed too long (He said, "I'm glad you won, but NO ONE stays at the Cosmopolitan two weeks!") (He wasn't even aware that we had already been in Vegas a week, at Encore, and left winners there too.) Encore didn't seem to care; I don't even have a designated host there but the host I usually work with simply said on the way out, "You're right where you need to be, you earned ____ in comps."

But then because of the way my Cosmo host was acting, after we got home, I sent him three Armani ties, which it looks like he could use. Also on the way out of the Cosmo I slapped a $20. bill on the VIP desk, a mere pittance, but then I've never seen anyone tip the Cosmo VIP desk people since they are basically front desk clerks, not servers. I tip dealers by placing bets alongside mine when I am winning and ahead; I tip the cashier who cashes my checks if it is a big win, I tip the cocktail waitresses for the tea espresso and non-alcoholic drinks they bring me, I think tipping after the fact is expected and normal behavior in Vegas.

This guy tipped before the fact, and to a front desk clerk. Was it okay? As mentioned, I tipped the VIP front desk clerks, so what's the difference? It's not a normal hotel situation, it's Vegas.

The guy done good, mostly by creating all this posting at our forum with a mostly promotional video. :-)

Quote: MDawg

Last time we left Cosmo my host comped the suite entirely and most of the food, but half-complained that we stayed too long (He said, "I'm glad you won, but NO ONE stays at the Cosmopolitan two weeks!") (He wasn't even aware that we had already been in Vegas a week, at Encore, and left winners there too.) Encore didn't seem to care; I don't even have a designated host there but the host I usually work with simply said on the way out, "You're right where you need to be, you earned ____ in comps."

But then because of the way my Cosmo host was acting, after we got home, I sent him three Armani ties, which it looks like he could use. Also on the way out of the Cosmo I slapped a $20. bill on the VIP desk, a mere pittance, but then I've never seen anyone tip the Cosmo VIP desk people since they are basically front desk clerks, not servers. I tip dealers by placing bets alongside mine when I am winning and ahead; I tip the cashier who cashes my checks if it is a big win, I tip the cocktail waitresses for the tea espresso and non-alcoholic drinks they bring me, I think tipping after the fact is expected and normal behavior in Vegas.

This guy tipped before the fact, and to a front desk clerk. Was it okay? As mentioned, I tipped the VIP front desk clerks, so what's the difference? It's not a normal hotel situation, it's Vegas.

The guy done good, mostly by creating all this posting at our forum with a mostly promotional video. :-)

You roll high enough you're going to get their best. Us peons are lucky to get a room comp, so $20 on a comp room that gets a suite is a worthwhile cost, IMO.

I think it's a worthwhile cost too.

When I first started playing again last year (after the long hiatus) I wasn't established yet so I wasn't checking in at VIP at Cosmo yet, but at least I was in the "invited guests" line which takes you to the regular front desk clerks, but faster. On that trip, the regular front desk girl who checked us in sent up a Thank You note and a box of chocolates to the suite, and then a different girl at the regular front desk a few days later was the only person (not the host, not anyone at the Identity (Cosmo's player club) desk) who understood how to extend our stay with a four night offer I had from Identity.

When we got home I mailed three letters in one envelope to the hotel General Manager: two praising the front desk clerks (I wrote down their names and the exact dates when they helped me), and a third mentioning that the night tables by the beds at the Cosmo have very sharp glass countertop edges (corners) that could poke an eye out, and that the tables should be kept far away from the beds (I'm always moving them away, and some of the maids keep moving them back closer to the bed).

I never heard back about any of my letters, but I'd like to think that the two letters of praise were shared with those two clerks and that it inspired them to provide even better service for the next guests they encountered. That's another way to grease the wheel although it is more of a "pay it forward" karma versus instant gratification.

Quote: MDawg

I think it's a worthwhile cost too.

When I first started playing again last year (after the long hiatus) I wasn't established yet so I wasn't checking in at VIP at Cosmo yet, but at least I was in the "invited guests" line which takes you to the regular front desk clerks, but faster. On that trip, the regular front desk girl who checked us in sent up a Thank You note and a box of chocolates to the suite, and then a different girl at the regular front desk a few days later was the only person (not the host, not anyone at the Identity (Cosmo's player club) desk) who understood how to extend our stay with a four night offer I had from Identity.

When we got home I mailed three letters in one envelope to the hotel General Manager: two praising the front desk clerks (I wrote down their names and the exact dates when they helped me), and a third mentioning that the night tables by the beds at the Cosmo have very sharp glass countertop edges (corners) that could poke an eye out, and that the tables should be kept far away from the beds (I'm always moving them away, and some of the maids keep moving them back closer to the bed).

I never heard back about any of my letters, but I'd like to think that the two letters of praise were shared with those two clerks and that it inspired them to provide even better service for the next guests they encountered. That's another way to grease the wheel although it is more of a "pay it forward" karma versus instant gratification.

Yeah, I do that too, especially with the evaluation cards most place have. I rarely (don't think I've ever) complained about a particular person that way but I've praised many by name. A lot of places give awards or cash bonuses for that feedback, so they remember you for doing it. One guy even got his job back (a PB I liked) as a second chance.

I get follow-up phone calls sometimes about my comments, too. And I think it might contribute to my getting over-comped most places. I think they might mark my account as a desirable client or something.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Yeah, I do that too, especially with the evaluation cards most place have. I rarely (don't think I've ever) complained about a particular person that way but I've praised many by name. A lot of places give awards or cash bonuses for that feedback, so they remember you for doing it. One guy even got his job back (a PB I liked) as a second chance.

I get follow-up phone calls sometimes about my comments, too. And I think it might contribute to my getting over-comped most places. I think they might mark my account as a desirable client or something.

After writing a nice letter about a pit boss at Harrahs, I was surprised she remembered me when I came back a few months later. She definitely overcomped me that trip. I'm fairly sure it was a big coincidence.

Sometimes you don't even need the $20. All you have to do is ask.

Quote: Boz

Anything given away in Vegas is based on a calculation that they are getting more in return. Anyone without a history of playing (losing) somewhere in the system is not getting a free upgrade. Dreamers have been pitching this fantasy to first time visitors for years. Casinos don't give a damn what you are celebrating if your not playing.

Vegas comps are based on two things:

1. Actual loss (typically you will get 15% of your actual loss for comps).
2. Average bet X number of hours played.
(You will get the greater of (1) or (2) - whichever is higher - when you check out.)

(2) is used to calculate what they call "theoretical loss" - which is how much you Should lose based on the house advantage of whatever game you are playing.

I play table games only but the formula is the same, I believe, for slots.

There is no requirement that you actually lose to get comp'ed. If the casino feels that you are winning too often, such as at a game of skill like BJ, they will not cut off or reduce your comps. They will simply ban you from the casino entirely or from that particular game (this is what happened to me with respect to BJ during my play from over about fifteen years ago).

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The 15% of comps against actual loss is typically not the best way to get comps, not only because it means that you flat out LOST, but also because it doesn't usually earn you as many comps as via extended play. Let's say you lose five grand - well 15% of five grand is only $750. which isn't really that much comps, especially when you consider that you just paid $4250. to get them.

You're always better off earning comps the other way, average bet times hours played.

--

The penultimate time we were at the Cosmo, the host who reviewed my play on checkout day remarked, "You've never had a losing trip with us, have you?" I told him "No! I'm not trying to lose." He just laughed, and still comp'ed most everything off the bill. (That trip they comp'ed most everything, room and food, leaving only spa charges.)

The first time we checked into Cosmo, which was last year, my host comp'ed the suite up front, but I had done some reading and determined that we wanted to be on the Bellagio Fountain side. The check in clerk told me there would be a per day upgrade charge for this suite on the Bellagio Fountain side - I said fine. That upgrade charge remained on the bill until check out day. I did not lose that trip, as mentioned, have not had a losing trip yet at Cosmo, and on check out day the host that looked at the bill comp'ed most everything, including absolutely all of those upgrade charges, off the bill.

All the times I have stayed at Cosmo I have never been charged a resort fee (which, now I have a Platinum Identity card anyway, so they can't charge me resort fees, but my Identity card was not always Gold or Platinum), or any upgrade fee, and I have not, repeat not, had a losing trip there yet. So - no, it is not a requirement that you lose (or have ever lost) to get comps or upgrades.

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In sum, casinos don't base comps / upgrades / whatever - solely on loss, they will also comp you based on play, win or lose.

Quote: Lovecomps

Sometimes you don't even need the $20. All you have to do is ask.

For the most part it doesn't really help. Simply asking will get you the same results either way in most cases. But what the hell, just give them your $20 it's no big deal and it helps them out.

Arriving very late in the evening, like after midnight you will have a better chance of receiving an upgrade simply from the fact that they have nothing else. Usually your rooms are pre-blocked by the hotel from your reservations but as the day or evening progresses, things change or don’t go as planned from the hotels side. The room that they had blocked for you will be given away maybe by an early check-in, or by guests extending their stays, etc. Rental cars work the same way, reserve the economy and arrive late, end up with an SUV or some other full size or luxury car.

A tip to the lot people will get you a better upgrade than tipping the counter people for car rentals.