Room upgrades are an effective way to increase hotel revenues, but they need to be handled carefully. They need to be part of an overall strategy that is aimed at boosting your overall room rates and up-sell opportunities.
Upgrades are a great way to bump your guests up to higher room categories that otherwise might not be available or might not be able to be sold on the market due to low inventory. They can also be used to reward existing guests. However, these strategies need to be presented in an attractive yet non-pushy manner so that they do not come off as a sales pitch.
Generally speaking, the best time to get an upgrade is during the off-season. This is because hotels tend to have more rooms available during the off-season, which makes it easier for them to grant an upgrade to customers.
If you are staying at a hotel during the off-season, ask the front desk about their room upgrades and rates policies. They will be able to tell you the best times of the year to request an upgrade as well as how often they do so.
Many hotel programs offer an upgrade for loyalty members who stay at their properties frequently. This is because they want to make sure that loyal guests keep coming back to the property and are happy with their service.
In addition to the hotel’s rewards program, many hotels have special credit cards that can provide free room upgrades for a limited time. These cards are often associated with a particular brand, so make sure to check them out before you book your stay.
The first step to getting a free hotel room upgrade is to be courteous when talking to the front desk. This is because they have the key to unlock your room’s features and they know what rooms are available.
You can also ask for a specific upgrade that is not listed in your reservation, but it’s better to let them know the exact type of room you would like to be upgraded to. This allows them to better understand your needs and prioritize your request accordingly.
It is also a good idea to dress well when checking in as this can influence the level of service you receive from the staff. This can also help you increase your chances of getting an upgrade since most hotels pay attention to how their guests look and how they act.
For instance, if you are celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon, be sure to mention this when asking for an upgrade. This will make the front desk staff more aware of this and they might be more likely to upgrade you to a higher-end room if there are any.
Some hotel programs even have special room upgrades that are offered to a guest when they reach a certain elite status level, which is often tied to a frequent flier program or hotel membership. These upgrades are sometimes based on the number of stays a customer has made, but occasionally they can be triggered by special events or circumstances.
