SUITE DEAL
Hotel expert reveals room upgrade secret – and it’s something we don’t normally do in the UK
HAVE you ever wondered exactly how to get an upgraded room in a hotel?
We all want the master suite – with the roll top bath – but how do we get there when we’re on budget prices?
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Hotel expert Jacob Tomsky, author of hotel memoir Heads In Beds: A Reckless Memoir of Hotels, Hustles and So-Called Hospitality, worked in the hotel business for 10 years.
In an interview with Sun Online Travel he told us exactly how you should get that upgrade for minimal cash.
Jacob says tipping front desk was always a winner in the hotels he worked out – which is something that we don’t do often in the UK.
He told us: “When I was working in a hotel I’d check in up to 200 guests a day, and front desk positions aren’t normally tipped, like a doorman or bell boy would be.
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Jacob continued: “If you offer front desk a £5 to £10 – whatever you feel is appropriate – that gesture alone will put you ahead of the other 200 people who are checking in.”
However, the practice should be avoided in the UK as the member of staff could get in trouble through the Bribery Act.
The act makes it an offence for someone who offers, promises or gives an advantage in return for a bribe.
All is not lost if you're staycationing though - Jacob also has some pointers on how to treat someone on front desk.
He says that front desk staff have power when it comes to your stay at the hotel.
He told us: “You may not realise it, but the person on front desk has a whole host of powers when it comes to deciding what room you’re in.
“The main thing that people need to do is slow down their check in and treat the front desk agent like a human being who is making some very important decisions that will affect their stay."
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Jacob continued: “They have the power put someone in a smaller room, or a room where the amenities aren’t functioning.
“They can put someone in a room right by the elevator where it’s loud and busy or in a room that’s where the trash pickup happens.
"There are all sorts of ways to pick the worst possible room if guests are rude.
“And what lots of people don’t realise, the agents know this! They’re used to hearing complaints about the rooms that people don’t like and they will put you there if they don’t like you.”
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Jacob also says that this works both ways – and by being polite and friendly, you could bag that upgrade.
He says: “There’s a positive side – I’ve also helped people out and upgraded people.
“Hotels, especially luxury ones, will empower the employees to go above and beyond so the guest has a great stay.”
Jacob has one more tip for getting upgrade – and it’s all to do with establishing a relationship with the hotel before you’ve even got there.
He says: “Another way would be to call up ahead of your stay and establish a friendly relationship ahead of your stay.
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“Make sure you call the actual hotel front desk and not a reservation line – you can check to make sure you reservation has come through.
“You can ask the person you speak to if they’ll be there when you check in. This will give you a face to front desk – you’ll be more than a bank transaction - and more likely to curry favour with them.”
Sun Online Travel previously revealed the cheekiest way to get a hotel upgrade ever.