Messaging the staff can be surprisingly helpful!* Foreign media shares '3 ways to get a hotel room upgrade'

▲Upgrading your hotel room during booking seems relatively easier. (Photo / Digitimes / Illustration)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Room upgrades are mostly a matter of luck, but upgrading your hotel room during booking seems relatively easier,Foreign media outlet Shannon McMahonsuggests three methods for hotel room upgrades that travelers might want to consider.

1. Via the Booking Website
Hussein Fazal, founder of SnapTravel, said that messaging the hotel staff during the booking process can help you get a free upgrade. Typically, the chance of getting a room upgrade is around 30%, and there’s a 90% chance of improving your stay in some way — definitely worth a try.

2. Ask Early, Check In Late
Being polite and asking nicely never hurts. If you’re unhappy with certain aspects of your accommodation, a good hotel will do its best to improve service quality and change your mind when you arrive. Shannon McMahon said she found that the booking website didn’t clearly list the hotel facilities, so she accidentally booked a room without a bathroom. She later called the hotel to ask about upgrading and paying extra, but decided it was too expensive. When she arrived at the hotel, she was unexpectedly given a free upgrade.

3. Mention Birthdays or Special Occasions in Advance
This trick works especially well with big chain hotels. Hotel expert Jack Ezon told The New York Times that many hotels keep track of guests’ birthdays or anniversaries. Usually, newlyweds or those celebrating anniversaries may receive complimentary champagne or chocolates. If you’re lucky, you might even get a room upgrade.

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