jwhite4

From staying there a few years ago, I think larger rooms (ones at the end of the halls) arre called Petite Suites. I'm not sure if was FT or a Vegas website that suggested asking for one. I didn't need a tip to get one, just had to wait a little while for one to be cleaned up.

It definitely seemed larger than a regular room, but we didn't get any better view (I think it was a rear-facing one, I remember seeing Bally's). Personally I'd think a better room would probably be a front one that faced the Bellagio Fountains.

Jeff

jmd001

One has to wonder: Was it the $20, or was it the fact that there were going to be jackhammers right above you that got you that location!?

Fishbait

When we first called the front desk to inquire about the noise, the desk clerk said she would investigate and get back to us, as someone else had complained about the same thing. A little later, we got a call explaining that the noise was probably coming from construction in the mall, many, many floors below us (it wasn't really loud, just annoying). The noise was untrackable, we thought it sounded like it was from above not below, but what could we do? That night, we ate at Mixx, and saw no construction in progress, but the next morning, there was the noise again (and we were SURE it was coming from above, not below)! Another day passed, and my daughter realized that we had missed the chance to take the glass elevator up to Mixx (we took the hotel elevator from the room). Before we checked out, we decided to ride the glass elevator, and almost fell down laughing when the door opened, and there was a man tearing up the floor with a jackhammer! Given that the room was pretty much comped, and they had given us a 5 pm checkout when they were sold out that night, I told the front desk my discovery but didn't pursue it further. It was annoying, but didn't wake us up (we were up early anyway).

Robin

dumasre

Anyone have experience with this specifically at the Bellagio?

Staying in a regular room 4 nights in July.

Try $50 or $100?
Airport check-in or in the Lobby?
Request a specific suite type or just a "suite"?

Also, I am staying mid-week and not on the busy weekends.

jpkneifl

Hello fellow FT'ers!!!

If anyone has used this trick at the Gold Coast and it worked please let me know!! I have a standard room out there on Thursday and would like to get upgraded to a suite if the $20 or $50 "trick" works!!

Thank you very much ^ ,

jpkneifl

skofarrell

$100, At the hotel, and request a specifc suite. Make sure he/she see the bill and say: "Any chance I can get upgraded to a 1 bedroom penthouse suite?" Settle for a 1 bedroom suite (not as nice as the penthouse, still very nice). If they deny the suite and counter with a standard room/fountain view, give 'em a $20.

The "trick" works everywhere. Typically the only time it does not is if there are no suites to give you, or you're just unlucky and catch a clueless clerk.

skofarrell

Gold Cost is definately a $20 place. $50 would be overkill.

Fishbait

Had a "clueless" clerk at Paris last weekend. Hubby did the credit card/ bill trick, and she just handed the $20 back and searched for a great view room (paid for better view to begin with). Can't complain, we got 42nd floor fountain/pool view without the tip, and weren't there much anyway (but did truly enjoy the view when there).

Robin

baccarat_king

I think paying for a better view had more to do with it; though the folks at Diamond Check-In are usually pretty good (of course, I don't have first hand knowledge of the Paris)

When I check my COMP rooms on harrahs.com; I have a choice between :
P-LUXURY and P-PREMIUM with the PREMIUM clearly stating "Premiere View" in the description.

IMHO, It might be difficult to get upgraded at most Harrahs properties on weekends due to the extremely large number of Seven Stars, Diamonds and Platinum members. Even Seven Stars have difficultly with upgrades on busy weekends --- and I have been told that upgrades are assigned based on each players ADT for busy weekends.

skofarrell

Again, its key that you ask for the "upgrade", and keep the money in very plain sight on the counter. Do not surrender the money until you're statisifed with your room.

Bac King is right, busier the weekend the less chance of getting a better room. This is why you hold on to your $ until you're assured that the clerk has moved you into a better class of room.

windwalker

Gonna try this today for my 4 night stay, though I've already booked a corner room(supposedly an upgrade).

Will post back after check in

windwalker

all checked in and it played out like this...

No such luck for me-100 under the Amex, young lady for sure saw it(as did the agent next to her-he stared at it quite longingly)
me-I wonder if a 1 bedroom PH suite might be available
her-let me see what I can do
me-GREAT
her-dials some numbers, smiles
me-smiles back
her-Thank you for waiting, we have a PH suite that I can upgrade you to
me-Fantastic
her-for an additional 150/night
me-picking self up off floor, errrr no thanks. I believe I can live with the corner room I'd reserved.
Her-Well let me see about getting you a fountain view at least.
Me-sliding andrew back to my pocket. That would ceratinly be nice
I did give her 10 bucks for a "nice try"-left under the amex and it one swift move, straight into her jacket pocket.

Better luck perhaps next time....
The room is quite nice, right at the front corner-great view of fountain, paris, caesars

baccarat_king

windwalker... thanks for the update; I think it is incredibly helpful when folks post their actual experiences.

In my "personal" experience, I always have better success with Male check-in people; or quite possibly, I am good at picking those who have a penchant for bending the rules.

A few things to keep in mind wrt Las Vegas Hotels :
(a) More suites than most properties
(b) Weekends are always most difficult; so day of check-in has a lot to do with things... fight weekends or special event weekends can be the worst.
(c) While conventions fill up a lot of rooms (and suites) --- the Vegas special events have more of an effect on the suites; because more casino players are in town.
(d) Elite status with a given casino brand or property is very important because you get to check-in at invited guest/vip (where I believe IMHO they have more latitude for upgrades) and status with a casino property is pretty serious, since losing a player to another casino (because they are turned off at the property) can be costly. (and I think that casino properties take elite status much more seriously than hotel chain elite status, though YMMV)
(e) be aware if there are any consequences regarding a COMP room and an upgrade; if you are RFB (room/food/beverage) at a property and take a suite over a room, they will MOST likely charge your COMP account more for a suite than a room (this can effect future offers and RFB if you do not play enough);
though, most properties, like Harrahs will NOT do that if you are coming into the property on a marketing free or discount room offer.
(f) and as folks have mentioned, KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, with regard to suite or upgrade type --- it is imperative to research your options, so you know what is being offered.

Personally, if I really want the upgrade --- I am very direct. I tell the check in person that I am "willing to take care of them" --- and that I would appreciate an upgrade to a specific suite. (usually, this type of request revolves around a special trip with the wife or a birthday or anniversary) Many times, I think I have gotten the upgrade just because I was being nice (at both casino and non-casino properties) --- so, always be friendly...

dumasre

Do you think if he had checked in at the airport he would have had better luck? What about picking a check-in person at the end of the counter to maximize privacy? Guess picking a male would have been the way to go.

I'm thinking a male check-in person at the airport might be the right way to go. Any opinions?

JerryGuitar

andrew or ben?