$20 Trick - It works very well
Apr 12, 2006, 4:30 pm
#61
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 9
I am a long time lurker on flyer talk and this is where I first heard about the $20 trick. I have often thought about trying it but never had the nerve until my last visit to Vegas. I was there for March Madness and had enough hilton honor points to get 3 free nights at the Hilton hotel/casino. I thought what the heck i'm already getting the room for free why not try the $20 trick. When I approached the counter I already had the $20 bill folded around my credit card. As she was looking for my reservation I handed her my credit card (you still have to present a credit card for incidentals) with the $20 and politely asked "are there any upgrades available". She casually slipped the $20 into her pocket and replied "let me check". She spent about 5 minutes looking in her computer without saying anything. Then she went into the back for another 5 minutes. When she came back probably another 5 minutes of searching the computer. She finally said there is 1 suite left but it isn't cleaned yet, but they could have it ready within 2 hours. I took it. Sure enough it was a 2 room suite with 2 tvs, 2 bathrooms, 3 beds, living room etc.
I should note I am a Hilton Honors Gold member and do not know if that had anything to do with getting the upgrade. I will definately try this next time in Vegas.
I should note I am a Hilton Honors Gold member and do not know if that had anything to do with getting the upgrade. I will definately try this next time in Vegas.
Apr 14, 2006, 9:06 am
#62
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego Area
Programs: UA Gold MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott Plat LT, HH Gold, IHG Plat, WoH Discvst, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,834
Originally Posted by mirage1228
Anyone have any luck with $100 at the Wynn? I'm hoping for a Salon suite or if not that a Parlor... booked room is the Resort room ...
Or alternatively, if one is paying rack rate, has anyone had any success with simply asking for an upgrade (without any "donations")?
Last edited by jmd001; Apr 14, 2006 at 11:47 am
Apr 14, 2006, 11:44 am
#63
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Platinum & MM, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 636
Originally Posted by jmd001
Has anyone had any luck?
Or alternatively, if one is paying rack rate, has anyone had any success with simply asking for an upgrade (without any "donations")?
Or alternatively, if one is paying rack rate, has anyone had any success with simply asking for an upgrade (without any "donations")?
I'll spare the details, but I had success once at Bellagio with a free salon suite upgrade - but it was only for the 2nd night of my stay.
This past weekend I tried "tipping" for the first time. I laid $40 on the counter at the Venetian when checking in and asked about upgrades. The check-in person spent at least 5 minutes trying to come up with something, and eventually offered me a regular suite for the first (sat) night and the Rialto suite for Sun night. Since I wasn't actually staying Sun night (just keeping the room b/c I had a red-eye) I didn't want to bother with the switch, thanked her, and kept the money.
Apr 16, 2006, 5:13 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: DL GM, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat
Posts: 12,171
Originally Posted by SPIT
Unlikely a GA or FA would upgrade you if you tipped. In Vegas, greasing palms is standard practice, as the town's service industry thrives on tips and gratuities. Throw a $20 to avoid a long buffet line, $20 - $50 to avoid a night club line (amount depends on club), $50 to have your name magically appear on the restaurant reservation list.
Money talks in Vegas... if you have it and spend/gamble it, you'll be treated like royalty. If you don't, then wait in line with everyone else.
Money talks in Vegas... if you have it and spend/gamble it, you'll be treated like royalty. If you don't, then wait in line with everyone else.
^^^
Apr 16, 2006, 6:10 pm
#65
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXPPLT, United 1K, *wood PLT, Delta Gold, Hyatt Diamond, Southwest A-list
Posts: 392
Originally Posted by zamg9
I am a long time lurker on flyer talk and this is where I first heard about the $20 trick. I have often thought about trying it but never had the nerve until my last visit to Vegas. I was there for March Madness and had enough hilton honor points to get 3 free nights at the Hilton hotel/casino. I thought what the heck i'm already getting the room for free why not try the $20 trick. When I approached the counter I already had the $20 bill folded around my credit card. As she was looking for my reservation I handed her my credit card (you still have to present a credit card for incidentals) with the $20 and politely asked "are there any upgrades available". She casually slipped the $20 into her pocket and replied "let me check". She spent about 5 minutes looking in her computer without saying anything. Then she went into the back for another 5 minutes. When she came back probably another 5 minutes of searching the computer. She finally said there is 1 suite left but it isn't cleaned yet, but they could have it ready within 2 hours. I took it. Sure enough it was a 2 room suite with 2 tvs, 2 bathrooms, 3 beds, living room etc.
I should note I am a Hilton Honors Gold member and do not know if that had anything to do with getting the upgrade. I will definately try this next time in Vegas.
I should note I am a Hilton Honors Gold member and do not know if that had anything to do with getting the upgrade. I will definately try this next time in Vegas.
I had the exact same thing happen to me back in October 2005. Slipped a $20 and got an upgrade to a similar-style suite. I am also a Hilton Silver member so it could have also had something to do with it, too.
I tried giving a $100 at the Bellagio to do the same trick, but was turned down. The woman was very nice about it and said that they cannot accepts tips and that suites can only be obtained by purchasing them or via comps. It never hurts to try....
Apr 23, 2006, 2:59 pm
#67
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PPSP. Yeah, I'm the bartender at that fancy 5-Star that forgot you said no salt on your freakin' frozen margarita. Listen up people! NO FROZEN DRINKS!
Posts: 2,022
Originally Posted by SeeTheLights
......
I tried giving a $100 at the Bellagio to do the same trick, but was turned down. The woman was very nice about it and said that they cannot accepts tips and that suites can only be obtained by purchasing them or via comps. It never hurts to try....
I tried giving a $100 at the Bellagio to do the same trick, but was turned down. The woman was very nice about it and said that they cannot accepts tips and that suites can only be obtained by purchasing them or via comps. It never hurts to try....
SHE doesn't take the tips but I'll bet there are otheres who do!Stayed a couple of weeks ago at the Orleans and simply laid a $50 bill on the counter and asked, "Are there any upgrades available tonight?" (We had 2 rooms Pricelined at $30 ea all inc. for 1 night only)
"Yes, sir, tonight we are offering a 2 bedroom suite upgrade." Nice. $110 for a 2 bedroom suite with great baths and GREAT views.
Top floor, security key, gorgeous rooms (for that style hotel). The top floor had additional gilded-style gates to each hallway off the elevator. As a waiter/service person, I wanted to do 50, not 20... but that's me.
Oh yeah.... and I won $150 in the slots that night. So now: free room and breakfast!
May 2, 2006, 11:53 am
#68
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,992
Hi all,
well after reading this I said I would try it and I did.
Me and my mate checked into the MGM Grand for one night last Wedneday. Walked over to the middle counter and checked in with the women. Put the $20 behind my credit card, made eye contact and asked if there were any upgrades going......she checked on the system and said "sorry we do not have any tonight!".
I told my mate what I was going to do before we checked in and he just laughed....he also laughed at me when we didnt get it!! :-(
well after reading this I said I would try it and I did.
Me and my mate checked into the MGM Grand for one night last Wedneday. Walked over to the middle counter and checked in with the women. Put the $20 behind my credit card, made eye contact and asked if there were any upgrades going......she checked on the system and said "sorry we do not have any tonight!".
I told my mate what I was going to do before we checked in and he just laughed....he also laughed at me when we didnt get it!! :-(
May 3, 2006, 12:37 pm
#69
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Sunny Place
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 1,655
Originally Posted by SgtRyan
contact and asked if there were any upgrades going......she checked on the system and said "sorry we do not have any tonight!".
May 3, 2006, 1:25 pm
#71
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC Elite (waddya mean it's expired?), HHonours Gold, bunch of other stuff
Posts: 859
Gotta be careful with who you try that on. Back in my hotel days, that would have earned you a $20 refund and a spot in the boiler room.
Of course I was a manager and considered myself above all that.
Reading the rest of this thread, I think I'll have to keep a spare 20 or 50 at hand the next time I check in in Vegas. If I wind up in the boiler room I'll just have to spend more time in the casino.
Of course I was a manager and considered myself above all that.
Reading the rest of this thread, I think I'll have to keep a spare 20 or 50 at hand the next time I check in in Vegas. If I wind up in the boiler room I'll just have to spend more time in the casino.
May 4, 2006, 11:01 pm
#72
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 200
Originally Posted by SgtRyan
Hi all,
I told my mate what I was going to do before we checked in and he just laughed....he also laughed at me when we didnt get it!! :-(
I told my mate what I was going to do before we checked in and he just laughed....he also laughed at me when we didnt get it!! :-(
Like always, it's YMMV.
May 5, 2006, 1:15 am
#73
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Tucson, AZ
Programs: Marriott LTT, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Expl, Avis Pres, Hertz Pres, National EE, AA Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 871
It worked for me at the Aladdin. As a platinum member, they offered a Strip Suite upgrade for free. Wanting to test out the trick, I offered a $50 tip/bribe and was given a Panorama Suite for my 2 night stay.
May 6, 2006, 6:40 am
#75
Join Date: May 2003
Location: GEG
Programs: Motel 6 Club Avoir Le Cafard
Posts: 5,027
Scene: LAS. Mbstone and DonnaFrmVa have a comp room, nonsmoking king, reserved for the weekend at MGM. Mb approaches the airport check-in desk in the baggage claim area.
Mb: You know, I'm going to try the $20 trick I read about on FlyerTalk.
Mrs: What $20 trick?
Mb: The one where you slip the clerk a sawbuck and you sometimes get a better room.
Mrs: Are you crazy? Your room is already comped. Why would you pay $20 for the same comp room you are already entitled to?
Mb: OK, if you want me to, I won't.
---------
Clerk: If you want a king bed, all I have are rooms in the West Wing (where the rooms are *^&% tiny). Otherwise you could have two queen rooms.
Mb: (slips $20) Don't you have anything better?
Clerk: (makes $20 disappear) I have a king bed on the 14th floor of the main tower, near the elevator, with a view of the Strip.
Mb: Thanks!
Mb: You know, I'm going to try the $20 trick I read about on FlyerTalk.
Mrs: What $20 trick?
Mb: The one where you slip the clerk a sawbuck and you sometimes get a better room.
Mrs: Are you crazy? Your room is already comped. Why would you pay $20 for the same comp room you are already entitled to?
Mb: OK, if you want me to, I won't.
---------
Clerk: If you want a king bed, all I have are rooms in the West Wing (where the rooms are *^&% tiny). Otherwise you could have two queen rooms.
Mb: (slips $20) Don't you have anything better?
Clerk: (makes $20 disappear) I have a king bed on the 14th floor of the main tower, near the elevator, with a view of the Strip.
Mb: Thanks!