Good things come to those who… ask! You may think it’s necessary to have elite hotel status if there’s any chance of getting hotel room upgrades, but this isn’t true! While yes, that does help, we’ve been able to secure upgrades and gifts upon arrival even with low/no status. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
Goodies that were waiting for us at the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile!
So how do you ask? I have a simple script that I use each time I send a hotel room upgrade and/or goodies request. You can download that HERE.
I typically send the request around a week ahead of time through email. I try to send it to a manager, if possible. This information can sometimes be found on the hotel website or by googling “XYZ hotel manager email address”. I’ve also looked on the hotel’s social media to see if they have contact information listed. If all else fails, call the hotel and ask if there’s an email address for a reservations manager.
Some hotels have text message or email options listed in your reservation. This can also work, however, I’ve had more luck by contacting a manager of some kind versus a general hotel contact. But it’s definitely better than nothing if you can’t find any other contact information!
A few more tips
- Do not book the cheapest, most basic room, then request an upgrade to the presidential suite. I typically stick with something that is one or two room types above what we booked. To do this, I check what is available to book with cash before I send the request. This means that it may be available as an upgrade.
- It’s important to be polite and know that your request is just a request. There is no guarantee that anything will come from it. Do not be upset or complain if you end up with nothing.
- The hotel room upgrade request and request for goodies is something that is intended to be used for special occasions, not regular or business travel. We use this when we’re traveling for birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, etc.
Flowers and a note left for us at the Holiday Inn Express in Hollywood. They also hid candy for the kids in the hotel safe and made them solve a riddle to get the code. So fun!
Cards that come with status
As I mentioned, you don’t need elite status to get upgrades and goodies, but it can definitely help. In some cases, it can even guarantee an upgrade. Oftentimes status is earned by staying many, many nights at hotels each year. But there’s actually a shortcut.
There are hotel cards that come with automatic status! Here are the most popular ones:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express– Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold. Enrollment required.
- The World of Hyatt Credit Card– Discoverist
- World of Hyatt Business Credit Card– Discoverist
- IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card– Platinum Elite
- IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card– Platinum Elite
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® card– Gold
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire card*- Diamond
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card*- Silver Elite
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Credit Card– Gold Elite
*All information about Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card have been collected independently by The Traveling Hansens. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card are no longer available through The Traveling Hansens.
If you decide to use the script as a guide to request your own hotel room upgrades and goodies, please let me know how it works out for you! I love hearing your success stories!
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Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.