40+ million visitors stream into Las Vegas annually to try their luck, experience the nightlife, and see the sights.
Nearly all of them want the same thing: A better room than they originally booked.
Considering I’ve logged stays at nearly every hotel on the Strip, downtown, and nearby, I figured I’d share some hacks I use to score an upgrade.
While most strategies carry a cost or rely on a little luck, they’re your best bet. Unfortunately, there’s no “surefire” way to get a free upgrade.
How To Get a Room Upgrade in Vegas
Book Direct – Always Be Rebooking
Non-refundable deals on 3rd party travel websites always look appealing, but look away.
Booking directly with the resort lets you choose precisely which room, amenities, and view you want.
Typically, booking direct is even less expensive than 3rd-party sites after you sign up for that property’s loyalty program online.
Since rooms booked directly with Las Vegas properties are typically cancellable, you can check back early and often for opportunities to re-book at a lower rate, or get a better room for the same price.
If rates drop after you book, simply cancel your reservation and re-book your upgraded hotel room.
Resorts commonly email discounted upgrade options as your travel dates approach. I’ve secured exciting room upgrades at both Aria and The Cosmopolitan through follow-up offers like these.
I currently have a complimentary room booked at Fontainebleau Las Vegas, but am eyeballing the upgrade menu to see if anything cheap pops up.
Just Ask (politely, though)
Many on social media espouse the effectiveness of the $20 sandwich trick.
The $20 trick is executed by discreetly passing a $20 bill to the check-in employee sandwiched between your ID and credit card while simultaneously asking for a complimentary room upgrade. While it can work, I don’t recommend it.
Instead, simply ask for a complimentary room upgrade at check-in. Usually, if the hotel isn’t running at capacity, you’ll receive it if available. I was recently upgraded to the Nobu Tower at Caesars Palace this way.
To provide additional incentive, I like to hold a $20 bill in view when asking for the upgraded room and handing it over if the front desk can accommodate my request.
When booking online, you can also indicate the type of upgrade you want in the “special requests” field. You can then follow that up by asking at the front desk at check-in. It’s no guarantee, but it’ll give you a chance.
When requesting an upgrade, the front desk will have more leeway to adjust your reservation if you booked directly with them rather than through a 3rd party. Obviously, hotels are more likely to upgrade their customers than those who booked elsewhere.
I’ve made it standard practice to speak up when checking in, saying something like “Hey, I don’t know if you’re running at capacity, but I’d be thrilled if there are any free or cheap upgrade options available”.
What’s the worst thing that can happen? They say no. Just remember, you miss every shot you don’t take.
You’d be amazed at how far being kind and easy to work with can get you.
Point out your special occasion
Don’t be shy. Include the reason you’re visiting in the booking notes when making your hotel reservation or at check-in.
Resorts will often give guests celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc. a complimentary room upgrade. It’s certainly worth mentioning your special occasion when asking politely for a complimentary upgrade.
Avoid self-serve kiosks & mobile check-in
You’ll want to avoid mobile check-in and self-service kiosks if you’re looking to score a room upgrade at the registration desk.
Obviously, if you go this route, you can’t ask for an upgrade, pull the $20 trick, or mention your special occasion.
While an upgrade is great, I love the convenience of mobile/self-serve check-in. At the end of the day, avoiding a long, snaking, slow-moving line is more important to me than a chance to score a last-minute upgrade.
Demonstrate loyalty
When you consistently stay with and play at a Las Vegas resort, odds are that you will receive lucrative comp room offers.
There is a direct correlation between how much you spend at a property and how much a room will cost on your next trip. Oftentimes, upgraded room options with more space, a better view, or fancier amenities will be cheaper or even free on your next visit, even for low rollers.
I’m a Caesars Entertainment loyalist, and I’ve historically booked a standard room at Paris’ new Versailles Tower (on the left).
At check-in, I received a complimentary upgrade to a Versailles Premium Suite that usually costs over $1,000 per night. Crazy.
As a low roller, I assume this upgrade had nothing to do with my meager casino play, but who knows. I doubt they’d hook a non-loyalty club member up with an upgrade like this. Better safe than sorry.
Ultimately, the strategies above for a cheap or free room upgrade in Vegas carry some risk and may not work, especially if Vegas is busy and your hotel is running at capacity.
If you hope to impress your wife, or need a specific room type, just pay up and book the room you want directly with the hotel property. You can still shoot for an upgrade to something ritzier, but you’ll be guaranteed an acceptable baseline room.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.