The $20 trick.

There are a lot of message boards that discuss discretely tipping a hotel desk clerk $20 when checking in and asking about a free room upgrade. My question isn't whether it works or not but how frequently people do it. There is so much online discussions about it I wonder if only a few people try it or half of everybody checking in.

Quote: marksolberg

There are a lot of message boards that discuss discretely tipping a hotel desk clerk $20 when checking in and asking about a free room upgrade. My question isn't whether it works or not but how frequently people do it. There is so much online discussions about it I wonder if only a few people try it or half of everybody checking in.

I've done it twice at Harrahs' properties to success. One time I tried and they were unable to accommodate me (it was too late at night) and I got my "tip" back. So I am batting two for three overall.

I tried this once, got turned down. Tip was returned. Woman was quite unfriendly so I did not offer her to 'keep it anyway' which I was planning to do if turned down for an upgrade.

I have never tried this myself. If I'm by myself, which is usually the case, a basic room is sufficient anyway. However, it is worth asking, when the $20 trick does "work," what percentage of the time would have you have got the room anyway without the tip. It is normal for casinos to give free upgrades to known players, if rooms are available. Sometimes they give them out to unknown guests anyway, as happened with the Paris review on this site. I think the casino's policy is not to waste the premium rooms. It doesn't cost them much extra to clean them, and it may engender future business from the customer. However, if they can't upgrade every unknown customer, the agents may be free to select who gets them, in which case a tip probably does improve the odds significantly.

When I did this the first time at the Harrahs property successfully, I was unknown to them. I think the the tip definitely helps and if they can't help you, they give back your "tip" anyway.

I think that if you have benefits already with the casino through their players card program and you are not local to Vegas, you have probably reacting to an offer already that the casino has offered you. So you are already coming to Vegas on a offer and a cheaper rate. If you are an established player and you come to Vegas without an offer from the casino, I think you are more apt to get upgraded for free at the desk.

Certainly however, I believe the "tip" will prompt the front desk person to do what they can for you. I think it helps low level players get the best possible room for the money, more so than paying for an upgrade outright in advance.

It worked for me at the Imperial Palace in October. Was brought from the "motel structure" into the main tower, and was offered a further upgrade (which had just one bed, which was not suitable for the three of us).

I was about to try this and had the 20 under my ID ready, but then the receptionist asked me first, "would you like to upgrade your room for x amount of $ extra? This was at Harrah's in Vegas in Summer '08. Is this standard now for them to try and up-sell anyways? I thought if I did offer the $20 then it would really seem as being more unethical since she specifically asked as the agent for Harrah's...Idk..

Heading to the Bellagio in a few days. Anyone try it there?

Quote: playpianoking

I was about to try this and had the 20 under my ID ready, but then the receptionist asked me first, "would you like to upgrade your room for x amount of $ extra? This was at Harrah's in Vegas in Summer '08. Is this standard now for them to try and up-sell anyways? I thought if I did offer the $20 then it would really seem as being more unethical since she specifically asked as the agent for Harrah's...Idk..

That's Harrah's for you. They're not terribly receptive to the whole $20 thing. The former Caesars properties tend to be more receptive to it (I've seen it work at Bally's, Paris, and Caesars), although I'd bet that that'll change as they spend more time under the Harrah's umbrella.

As for Bellagio, they seem to be fairly receptive to the idea, although they might bump you up even without the $20. You'll get a better upgrade with the $20, though.

Has anyone had any experience with this at the MGM? How about the Hard Rock or Palms?

Try the $20 trick for a forum dedicated to this question.

That's fantastic. Thanks mate.

At any hotel (MGM/HET) you can tell, if you have a chance, almost immediately, if the front desk clerk is working independently. Some front desk clerks seem to have checked you into a room before you have provided ID and a credit card; while others seem to “search” for a room while you produce your ID and credit card. If you have the opportunity to try the $20 trick before the clerk places you in a room then you have a good chance of getting an UPGRADE; However, if the clerk has your keys in the envelope before you show your ID and credit card, I think there is little chance for success. If this is the case: call and complain and call and complain and call and complain- you may be moved into an upgrade without the $20 trick. Always ask for the front desk clerk’s name and the reservations manager’s name and the manager-on-duty- name—or just go to the bar and order a $9 lite beer.

Quote: marksolberg

There are a lot of message boards that discuss discretely tipping a hotel desk clerk $20 when checking in and asking about a free room upgrade. My question isn't whether it works or not but how frequently people do it. There is so much online discussions about it I wonder if only a few people try it or half of everybody checking in.

Tried it a handful of times... and "worked" every time.

A couple years ago at Mandalay Bay the front desk person said they were trying to upgrade me to a penthouse room (which I figured was BS in the first place), but the Mosley/Collazo fight was there that weekend and he was informed they had all the top floor rooms booked. Whatever. I was told I was upgraded to one of their new rooms which was recently remodeled. Super nice room, but I dunno if it was really an upgrade, as I assume all their rooms are like that now.

I used it again at the Venetian. Already had a large suite so the person at the front desk said they couldn't get me a bigger room, but they gave me a room with a view, something like $50 to spend in the casino and free passes to something, but I don't remember what off the top of my head.

Last year I tried it at Bally's with my wife and was upgraded to a larger room and given free show tickets. The room was definitely bigger, but it was much older than the standard rooms I've stayed in there before. Looked like it was from the 70s.

Also tried it last year at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay and was upgraded to a room on a higher floor with a sweet view of the strip.

I know people who have tipped at Treasure Island before the new management and have gotten higher rooms and champagne.

I plan on trying it in a few months at The Palms. We'll see what happens.

I dunno if this is true or not, but it may work a lot better if you originally booked your room through the casino itself. Booking on sites like Vegas.com or Expedia seem to lower your chances of getting a real upgrade.