| Okay, so you want to upgrade your hotel room but | | | | looking through the hotel. I managed to get a bigger |
| you're too cheap, so what do you do? You could pay | | | | room, with a beautiful view of the Bellagio fountains. |
| the upgrade fee, or you could tip the front desk! | | | | It was well worth the extra $20. |
| For those that have never heard of this trick, it's | | | | Rio |
| pretty popular, just keep in mind that it doesn't work | | | | I forgot where I booked this, but this one was a little |
| all the time. I'd say about 80-90% of the time you'll | | | | unusual. When I tried the "sandwich", the clerk knew |
| be successful. | | | | what I was doing, but said he couldn't accept it. |
| Essentially, what you do is tip your front desk | | | | However, he did upgrade me to a much larger room |
| concierge when you check in, or for you higher | | | | that he specified was only for Player's Club Members. |
| rollers, tip your casino host or hostess when you | | | | So he basically handed me the $20 back and |
| meet them and they'll make sure to take care of | | | | upgraded me anyways. I've heard of other Rio front |
| you. Just keep in mind this doesn't work 100% of | | | | desk clerk's accepting the $20 but I'm not sure why |
| the time, but I'll say 80-90% of the time you'll be | | | | he didn't. I had some friends who stayed at the |
| successful. | | | | same hotel during the same time, and their room, |
| So here's how you do it, when you check in, you do | | | | same as the one's I had originally booked, was |
| something called a "sandwich". When they ask you | | | | horrible. Their room was smaller, and had a view of a |
| for your ID and credit card, you slip a $20 in | | | | roof. I had a very high floor with a beautiful view of |
| between. I like to make sure that it sticks out a little. | | | | the mountains. |
| When you give them the "sandwich", you casually | | | | Paris(1st Time) |
| ask them if there are any complimentary upgrades | | | | This one was a good one too, although not as good |
| available. What should happen is that they'll see your | | | | as I'd hope although my expectations were a little |
| $20 and start furiously typing on the keyboard to | | | | high. Clerk called me up, did the usual "sandwich", |
| find you an upgrade. They may also ask what you're | | | | asked for a complimentary upgrade, looking for a |
| looking for. From my personal experience I've tried at | | | | suite. She took the $20, smiled and started typing |
| the following hotels and all have been successful for | | | | away. She couldn't get me a suite, but got me a |
| the most part. | | | | corner room that was much bigger, and had a |
| Trump Hotel | | | | beautiful view of the Bellagio Fountains and the Eiffel |
| This was my first try. I checked in rather late, there | | | | Tower. Again, not what I wanted, but nonetheless, |
| was nobody around, so I put the $20 on the counter | | | | incredibly happy. |
| when I checked in. The clerk immediately smiled, | | | | Paris(2nd Time) |
| asked what I was looking for. Before I could | | | | This time I wanted to try something a little different. |
| respond, the $20 had already disappeared. Anyways, | | | | I really did want a suite, but again, I'm too cheap so I |
| I asked for higher floor and bigger room. Keep in | | | | didn't really want to tip too much to get it. Instead |
| mind I just booked the crappiest room off of | | | | when she asked for my ID and CC, I simply took |
| Priceline.com, I received a massive 1 bedroom suite | | | | some cash and started dangling it in front of her and |
| with a partial view of the strip on the 38th floor! | | | | asked for a complimentary upgrade. I don't think she |
| There were 3 TV's, 2 washrooms, and double | | | | saw my cash, and just flatly rejected me. However, |
| shower head! For the first time being so successful, I | | | | she typed away for a little bit and did give me a strip |
| was definitely hooked. | | | | view room, with a nice view of the pool. I slipped her |
| Planet Hollywood | | | | $5 in appreciation anyways. |
| So again, I booked another crappy room on This | | | | So, all this may seem a little scary, but truthfully, it's |
| time, it was a lot busier so I wasn't so blatant with | | | | pretty easy, and how the economy in Las Vegas is |
| the $20. Instead when the clerk asked me for my ID | | | | these days, a very accepted practice. Worst case |
| and CC, I sandwiched the $20 and asked if there | | | | scenario, they say no, and give you your money |
| were any upgrades available. When he looked at the | | | | back. Very very worst case, which I've never heard |
| $20, he looked a little puzzled, but then quickly | | | | of, is they take your $20 and say no, which all in all, |
| understood what I was looking for. He put the $20 | | | | isn't too bad. |
| out where everyone could see it, then started | | | | |