The psychological trick that can help you get a free hotel upgrade

Ever wanted a taste of ‘suite’ life?

Well, now you can after several travel professionals have detailed how to get free hotel upgrades on TikTok, including former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss.

Voss sheds light on a clever psychological trick she learned from her son, whom she describes as the “chief negotiator,” after they checked into a hotel together.

Using just a little reverse psychology, Voss’s son landed himself a presidential suite, while dozens of other TikTokers say they have their own tricks to improve the hotel, with everything from tipping to lying about special occasions at the table.

Read on as FEMAIL rounds up some of the best insider tips from avid travelers and industry insiders.

1. Try playing a little mind trick

tik tok creator @madditasbuenasconversaciones uploaded a video showing American businessman and former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss detailing how his son managed to secure an upgrade to the hotel.

Voss says that he checked into a hotel with his son, and despite his son paying less than him, he managed to get a better room thanks to his simple mind trick.

She claims her son walked up to the front desk and told the receptionist, “I’m getting ready to make your day the hardest day I’ve ever worked here.”

They replied: ‘Oh god, what is it?’

Voss’s son then said, “I’m just another selfish person looking for a free upgrade.”

Apparently, this piece of reverse psychology had Voss’s son secure the hotel’s presidential suite while the receptionist was so relieved that nothing more sinister was going to happen.

“Someone who works behind a hotel counter… I mean, God knows what they’ve seen,” Voss said.

2. Let them know if you have had a bad experience.

Sammie Kahkolawho works as a front desk manager at an upscale Kimpton hotel in Los Angeles, says that if you’ve had a bad experience, it’s worth telling the front desk, and they may be able to improve it as a result.

This can include everything from a plumbing problem to a faulty TV.

The hospitality expert and part-time actress says: ‘Well, we never expect this to have to happen, sometimes we’ll update you if you’ve had a bad experience.

“And sometimes I personally, will update you if you’ve just had a stressful day.”

3. Be nice to hotel staff, it’s that simple

Sammie also says that ‘being nice’ is the most important thing when it comes to increasing your chances of getting an upgrade.

She explains: ‘Seriously, that’s it. Because I deal with a lot of very rude people and I have a lot of hard days… so just be nice? Oh my gosh, that’s going to go a long way and I want to give you the world.

“So if you’re really nice to me and you’re awesome at registration, I’ll give you an upgrade.”

4. Always book directly through the hotel

Most avid travelers recommend booking directly through a hotel rather than through a third-party website.

based in Florida Sarah TikTok creator she says she is married to the general manager of a ‘very large’ hotel brand and has realized that it is almost impossible to get an upgrade if you have booked through another provider.

She explains that the reservation must be made ‘directly through that hotel’ and then it is ‘at the discretion of reception’ if your room is upgraded.

Sara also points out that if you book directly with a hotel, sometimes you’ll get a better rate.

If you don’t, you can call the hotel and say you saw a better rate through a third-party website, and they should be able to match or beat the rate.

5. The $20 Sandwich Technique

Many of the hotel’s seasoned guests refer to something known as the ‘sandwich trick’.

Detailing what this entails, the TikTok duo Credit Brothers outlines three key items: your credit card, your license, and a $20 bill.

These are then collated and given to the receptionist at check-in, in the hope of an upgrade.

Credit Brothers points out that a small cash tip can go a long way.

They continue: ‘Let’s say you just booked a room at the W in downtown Miami and you want to get a spectacular suite.

“Before you go up to the front desk, go online and check the availability of the best available rooms in the hotel during the dates you’ll be staying, that way when you come up with those three things [sandwiched] in hand, you’re going to give that to the receptionist… and ask her politely if they have any room upgrades.’

They do point out that hotel staff don’t always give upgrades because they simply don’t have availability, but by using this cheat, you will greatly increase your chances of getting upgrades in places where you don’t have status. ‘

6. Check in to the hotel as late as possible

Creator Tom Flynnwho regularly posts videos about money and life hacks on TikTok, advises checking into the hotel as late as possible.

Recommend to arrive at the reception between 4 pm and 6 pm

Explaining why, he says, “You do this because that way the front desk has time to see if there are no shows or cancellations for that day.”

7. Let’s say you’re celebrating a special occasion.

Many travel professionals say that if you’re celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, or promotion, you’re more likely to get an upgrade.

Tom Flynn instructs, “When you check in, you’ll tell the person at the front desk that you’re celebrating something.”

He says that even if your anniversary is 11 months away, there’s no point in “feeling bogged down with the details” and it’s about having the confidence to tell your story.

“The thing is, you’re celebrating your first anniversary with someone you love and you want the whole world to know it,” he concludes.

9. Do not check-in online

brittney lunskiwho posts about Disney vacations on TikTok, is referring to the virtual check-in feature, which an increasing number of hotels have begun to offer with the rise of digital keys.

She says that using an app allows her to check in before arriving at her hotel and she can skip the line at the front desk, which means she can’t speak to a staff member who could upgrade her room. to a better category.

Instead, he advises: ‘When you arrive at your resort, go to the front desk. Please tell them if you have any special requests.

‘Let’s say you’re in a room with two queens and you’d really like a king bed and ask if there are rooms with king beds available… Many times you can get a better room.’

5. Sign up to be a loyalty member

Hotel employee and TikToker @justintime245 urges people to join a hotel rewards program, as these will bring many benefits, from free room upgrades to complimentary breakfasts.

Speaking from his own experience, he says, ‘Join the rewards program, whether it’s Hilton, Marriott, IHG…once you join the rewards program and have that status, you’re seen as a better guest. We want to keep you and prevent you from going to the competition.’

Detailing some of the perks of being a hotel loyalty member, he says, “You get a late checkout, you get extra bonus points, you get a free breakfast, you get all these kinds of things with status including complimentary room upgrades.” “.

The hotel worker says that if his hotel’s king rooms sell out and a ‘gold member’ walks in, they will be upgraded to a suite, while a ‘regular person’ will go to the king room instead.

For business travelers, @justintime245 points out that it will be much easier to earn points quickly. He concludes: “Obviously, earning points takes a lot of time and money, but if you have a company that pays for your hotel rooms, you add up your number, you get the points, and you basically fly through the rankings.”

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