The $20 "tip" worked for me this past weekend at Paris. I did as suggested, holding the twice-folded $20 in my hand as I asked about a larger room. The agent checked, and told me that they did have a larger room available for $200 (we were paying $136/night for our original room -- for a Fri. and Sat. night). Our new room turned out to be on the top floor of Paris. It was a "Nice" suite -- I assume it's pronounced "neice" -- as in the city in France. The suite was huge, simply huge. And it was very nicely furnished -- not trashy but classy.

When we checked out, it turns out they charged us $200 per night extra, not simply $200 a night for the room. So the room cost $136 plus $200 a night. I felt a little suckered but the room was so amazing, I really didn't mind.

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ChicagoBound - formerly PremEx2000 (wrong year, wrong status!)