Starwood Preferred Guest - How to do the $20 Tip Thang...yeah!

How should I do the $20 Tip Thing that is metioned at the Essex House, I got it for $129 on Hotwire.. and how should I give him the tip, will (my mom actually) get caught, will the agent understand..and any other things will be appreciated. And what are the chances of getting bumped up to a suite.
-AG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JBLUA320:
How should I do the $20 Tip Thing that is metioned at the Essex House, I got it for $129 on Hotwire.. and how should I give him the tip, will (my mom actually) get caught, will the agent understand..and any other things will be appreciated. And what are the chances of getting bumped up to a suite.
-AG</font>


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif


[This message has been edited by fly co to see the yanks (edited 08-01-2003).]

Very relevant.
I know it's a great deal!

What 20$ tip thing ?

Some of the other forums said $20 could get you a nicer room.If you know how to give it, whih I don't

Why don't you just fold a $20 bill so it can only be seen by the person you are giving it to, and say, "Mr. Jackson asked me to inquire if there was a better room for me?" You will find the results amazing.

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"The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You"

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JBLUA320:
Some of the other forums said $20 could get you a nicer room.If you know how to give it, whih I don't</font>

On a priceline or hotwire pre-paid stay, you are inevitably asked to put a credit card on record for incidental expenses.

Place your CC on the counter with the cash neatly folded up under the card, with just denomination (pick the big number corner) showing. Slide the card over, look directly at the person, and ask if there was a suite available.

If the counter agent is quick on the uptake, he will look up, see the cash, and connect the dots. If he takes the $$, you've successfully tipped the counter agent and should look forward to a better room.

If the CC is taken but the cash is left on the counter, pocket it ASAP so as to avoid further problems. No upgrade on this trip.

Now I know where my Platinum suite upgrades are going. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

But then again, what if he asks something like "Why are you giving me $20" or something.... That's somewhat unnerving.
-AG

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JBLUA320:
But then again, what if he asks something like "Why are you giving me $20" or something.... That's somewhat unnerving.
-AG</font>

That's when you just pocket the cash and pretend you accidentally grabbed it when you intended to hand him the credit car donly. Obviously, this means you shouldn't be taking out the CC from your wallet and then the bill. Both should be in a pocket already and come out together.

See also similar discussion in the Vegas forum:

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/Forum5/HTML/000071.html

What if the clerk discreetly makes the bill disappear without blinking an eye... and there is no acceptable reciprocity?

I would feel more comfortable stating up front that I would be very willing to show my appreciation... and then of course follow through if something nice was actually forthcoming.

shouldnt ask same ques in multiple places

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum105/HTML/011870.html

That reminds me of the Seinfeld where they tipped the Chinese restaurant maitree'dee $20 and he just took it and called someone else to the table.

Plato's way is more subtle and easier to back out if there's problem, and also means that probably no one else at the front desk knows what's going on. Saying "I'd like consideration" means that 1) someone, including possibly the manager, will hear about your bribe and 2) it'll probably be on tape, possibly getting the front desk clerk in trouble.

I'm too chicken to do either, personally, but if I was going to do it, I'd go for discreet and take the gamble that they take the money and do nothing for it.

Notice the Nature of this and the other question are slightly different.
That is certs.
This is a "tip"
-JBLU.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">What if the clerk discreetly makes the bill disappear without blinking an eye... and there is no acceptable reciprocity?</font>Ever see "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan and Kevin Klein?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ronin:
What if the clerk discreetly makes the bill disappear without blinking an eye... and there is no acceptable reciprocity?</font>

That's when you put the credit card back in your pocket (not wallet), pause for a moment whil you pretend to notice the missing bill, and then ask the agent what happened to the $$ you accidentally left on the counter.

After all, you didn't hand the money to him but simply left it on the counter. If your money doesn't make a re-appearance immediately, a manager can make it happen.

That's happened a couple of times to me. In one case, the money simply re-appeared without management intervenion. In the other, I handed back the keycard to get a different room programmed in.

I have it folded so the clerk can see it, have my hand on the counter with it sticking out discretely (not necessarily with the denomination showing) and asked about a suite.

I've only done it 3 or 4 times. But if you get an upgrade to a nicer room but not a suite or a great room, I'll sometimes discretely exchange the $20 for a $10 (assuming they don't know what I have originally offered).

Plato90s,
Any comments on your success rate with getting an upgrade while providing a tip?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rgoel:
Plato90s,
Any comments on your success rate with getting an upgrade while providing a tip?</font>

Good enough that I inevitably have a few carefully folded $20's and $50's when I go to Vegas. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Is this mostly/mainly a Vegas phenomenon, or is it "understood" in other major cities/locations as well? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by u2vox:
Is this mostly/mainly a Vegas phenomenon, or is it "understood" in other major cities/locations as well? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif</font>

It works any place where people want to earn extra $$ and is willing to bend rules to get it. Works fine in restaurants and hotels both right at home and in the Far East, although subtle doesn't work very well in that case. More explicit/obvious handling is required in places where graft is part of day-to-day life.

Should this be necessary if you're (Platinum) but staying on a Reward? I've yet to get upgraded anywhere in Italy while staying on rewards . . .

Then again, I've never tried the "$20 Tip Thang", assuming that my status alone would be enough to "pull rank".

Going again in the next few weeks, so would appreciate any input!

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AA EXP, 1MM, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Starwood Platinum