Las Vegas - Best way to get room upgrades in vegas

I will be going to vegas later this week. I've heard stories about people getting upgraded to a suite from a regular room when they check in. How is this done if you aren't a high roller? Let me know -- I'd love to try it!!!

If you have a lot of Players cards, let them know you are not quite happy where you have been playing. They may upgrade you to try to steal you away from the competition. I have heard that can work.

Being that it is a crowded week/weekend for the holiday, it may be hard to score an upgrade.

Some of the travel sites (including vegas.com) did have some nice deals but being this late, I doubt they are still there.

I'll be at the Venetian...

If it is a MGM property, you might try the counter at the airport.
I collected tickets booked for shows plus the room keys; Scored a lakeview room at Bellagio, but we arrived on a non-peak day. Membership of the players club will probably only help with possible comped charges on checkout, so try to get to a checkin counter at the airport or hotel asap - good luck.

Or you can try to check-in fairly late (around 9pm) when the hotel is fully booked. Then once you check-in the hotel might upgrade you if they don't have the room you booked available. Happened to me once but I kinda fell into it.

And dont forget old Ben Franklin, were talking Vegas and a nice crisp one may open some doors (suite) for you if your cool about it!




T

And dont forget old Ben Franklin, were talking Vegas and a nice crisp one may open some doors (suite) for you if your cool about it!
T

Another worthwhile trick is politely asking. Most of the staff are pretty nice on MGM properties. They try hard to please within what is reasonable. Even for us who aren't big gamblers.

Quick (or not) story - My wife and I went to Vegas for our 5th Anniversary. Saw the shows, lost money on table games, got remarried by Elvis (totally recommended!) and had a blast.

BUT, we had hellish flights getting in arriving very tired and early in the morning. On check in they didn't have the nonsmoking I requested (and had noted specifically on the account due to the smoke irritating my eyes and the casinos already having plenty to do the trick). After depositing us into two rooms that were like the smoking pits in the airport, I went back to the same desk agent (first key point), very nicely explained the issue and that we really needed to get in some rest before we started having fun, and asked if there was any way he could get us into a nonsmoking room with a bed even for a few hours until the small suite we reserved would be available. He knew we were hurting and I had been through him twice already with smiles and patience.

He did one better. Called housekeeping and asked them to spray the room with a smoke killer just in case. 5 minutes later he gave me a key, apologized for the problems, and said this room would certainly meet our standards. Up we went, opened the door and it was indeed smoke free. THe most important item I've leared on many trips to Vegas.

It was also a mega suite bigger than our house. I kid you not on the size, looked up the square footage. We spent the next four days with a view of the strip, a full living and dining room complete with a guest bath, a mega master room, a jacuzzi tub the size of a small pool and absolutely wonderful service.

Needless to say, I hauled my tired butt downstairs, stood in line for the exact same guy again, thanked him very honestly, and slipped him a few hundred bucks. It was the best money I spent that trip and we were very well cared for.

Honesty, patience and appreciation saved the day and made our trip great. Plus, the hotel was pretty busy, so this was going out of the way service. I think being nice was the main point, and not just expecting the perks.

If you time it right, and have included some kind of special anniversary/occasion on your booking, and get the right person (I seem to have *less* luck with younger staff; maybe the older ones have more leeway or want to see us younger customers get a good impression). You'll probably have a much better chance than in any other city, especially when many of the newer LV hotels have so many suites available.
If (as mattkreps mentions above) you don't get a decent room the first time, try again later! At least try to get a suite for some of your time :)

And dont forget old Ben Franklin, were talking Vegas and a nice crisp one may open some doors (suite) for you if your cool about it!

Best way to do this:
1. Give your name at check-in.
2. Wait for them to ask for your credit card and photo id.
3. Put down the following, in this order, from top to bottom:
a. your id
b. your credit card
c. your money, folded so that it sticks out but not terribly obvious.
4. As you are placing this stuff on the counter, ask if there are any suite upgrades left (knowing the exact NAME of the type of suite you want is certainly helpful). Putting your stuff down and asking at the same time (in my opinion) is critical.
5. Hope they see the money under your cards.
6. If they say yes, don't expect your $$ back and pat yourself on the back. ^
If they say no and you don't see your money back on the counter by the end of the transaction, politely say, "Did I leave a hundred dollars on the counter just now?!?!?" and go hit the tables for a bigger tip next time :o

Also, check out this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419338