Asking for a free hotel upgrade is something that many people try to pull off, while others find it rude and affected.
There are plenty of how-to guides which promise to teach you the exact formula for getting an upgrade.
But like most policies, how effective they are depends on the hotel and management.
In a reel that has received more than 7k likes and nearly 700 comments, an Instagram travel content creator shared her tips for avoiding looking like an ‘amateur traveller’ when asking for an upgrade.
She shared: ‘Why high-level professionals never say this one sentence at hotel check-ins.
‘”Is there any chance of a free upgrade?” Sounds innocent enough, right? But here’s the thing: High-level travellers never ask for freebies.
‘Why? Because it immediately puts the staff in a defensive, “policy-based” position.
‘Instead, they position themselves as someone worth impressing. Here’s what they say instead: “Hi, I know you’re probably fully booked — but if there’s anything you can do to make the stay extra special, I’d really appreciate it.”
In a reel, an Instagram travel content creator shared her tips for avoiding looking like an ‘amateur traveller’ when asking for an upgrade (stock image)
‘It’s calm. It’s respectful. And it lets the staff offer something on their terms — which makes them far more likely to say yes.
‘Confidence. Clarity. A touch of class. That’s how smart travellers unlock perks without even asking.’
The post prompted mixed reactions from commenters with some users calling asking for anything more than you have paid for ‘tacky’ or ‘cringe’.
One commenter wrote: ‘Why don’t you book and pay the room you want like every normal human being instead of trying to get something for free?
Others added: ‘This sounds so cringe. I’d never ask for an upgrade, but then I’m English and that would be seen as very pushy and cheeky here.’
‘Either way, this is so tacky lmao just take the room you booked instead of being a scammy boomer about everything.’
But others offered their own tips for getting extra perks without explicitly asking.
One comment read: ‘When I worked for an airline years ago, when we wanted an extra perk from a hotel or other airline, we used “any considerations would be greatly appreciated”. It usually worked.’
Another suggested: ‘Always say: “Last time I was here it was very noisy, can you put me somewhere quiet?” Upgrade incoming nine out of 10 times.’
One jested: ‘I always tell them that although unknown here, I am quite a big deal in the Netherlands. Often worshipped as a God.
‘Of course, they don’t believe it, but once they’re laughing, it’s easier to get what I want.’
It comes as seasoned reviewers Fiona Duncan and Mark C. O’Flaherty have shared simple and smart ways to boost your chance of getting a free room upgrade – starting with a simple phone call.
Their top tip is to call the hotel directly before booking, with Fiona noting that too many travellers rely solely on online booking systems and miss out on the human touch.
According to Fiona, who has spent decades visiting hotels across Britain and beyond, a friendly conversation with the hotel staff can go a long way.
Politely asking if a better room might be available at check-in – especially if it’s a special occasion – often pays off.
Sharing an example, Fiona enacted: ‘This is really cheeky of me, but if on check-in, you had one of your rooms with that amazing view, that would be so special to me and I would be so grateful if you could upgrade me to it.’
Mark agreed that timing and charm are key to getting a more luxurious room, as he recalled being upgraded to a penthouse suite in New York simply because he arrived late, after the hotel had oversold standard rooms.
He further noted that smaller hotels are also more likely to offer complimentary upgrades if they have availability, especially when they want to leave a good impression.
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