Travel expert warns holidaymakers to avoid early check-in at hotels

Getting a free upgrade is always a boost when on holiday – it can make the whole experience more magical. While you can try and get flight upgrades to first or business class they’re often rare (unless you’re a loyalty scheme member).

However, hotel room upgrades are far more common. Now, one expert has explained the best time to check-in to get one.

Room upgrades are generally out because when a hotel’s standard rooms have been booked out, but there are free suites in the building. More people book the cheaper rooms rather than the expensive options so they’d rather pull in more guests than have an empty suite.

READ MORE: How to get free upgrades on flights – flight attendants share their best secrets

Luckily for us, that means paying for a double and getting a King room, balcony or even a penthouse suite isn’t a pipe dream. Kate Berski, a writer and travel enthusiast, shared her hack for bagging one on TikTok, @Help_im_30ish.

It gained tens of thousands of views as holidaymakers were impressed by the information. She said: "I’m gonna save you money and hopefully get you a free upgrade as well."

Not only did Kate suggest calling the hotel directly for the best rate – but also arriving late to your hotel. She says that the later she arrives at the check-in desk the more likely she is to be given a better room.

Kate commented: "That's because they know they're not gonna sell it so they might as well give you a better experience. So if you can, the later you go, the more chances of a free upgrade."

It’s so simple and yet really quite likely to work! Other ways to get a free upgrade include signing up to a hotel’s loyalty scheme where you’ll be rewarded with freebies, upgrades, discounts and even special touches the more you visit their locations.

Over on Reddit, a former luxury hotel reception worker gave their thoughts on the subject – and who they were more likely to upgrade. Hint: it’s not those who ask!

The staff member said: "Generally the people who expected upgrades or those who asked for it did not get upgraded. Down to earth folk without airs and graces and who were genuinely excited to be there, especially for special occasions, got upgraded if there were suites or better rooms available.

"When families checked in and I could sense that they did not stay in fancy hotels regularly I would go out of my way to upgrade them. Sometimes if occupancy rates / bookings and availability allowed we could upgrade some visitors to a dinner inclusive allowance suite.

"|This meant that they went from a family room to a suite and had a minimum of £25 per person off their dinner. Was a great feeling knowing that you were 'making someones holiday' with the upgrade."

However, a guest noted that it’s not always a bad thing to ask. So long as you’re nice about it.

They wrote: "My wife and I have got it quite a few times, just by asking during check in. If a hotel is quiet there is no reason for them not to, especially if you're staying for only one or two nights. A smile and manners goes a long way with service staff, we find."

Source: Read Full Article