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All points values are estimates based on the time of this writing.
Who doesn’t love a free upgrade? Whether it’s a bigger room, a suite, or lounge access, getting upgraded at a hotel can make your stay feel extra special, without paying extra. And while elite status can definitely help, you don’t need to be a top-tier loyalty member to score a better room.
Over the years, I’ve had success getting upgrades at hotels ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly chains, sometimes with status, sometimes without. Recently, I reached out to both the W Costa Rica (Marriott) and Grand Hyatt Kauai before my stays, and both hotels were willing to make notes on my reservation, and one even threw in a special birthday treat for my husband!
Ask Nicely (and Know When to Ask)
Timing matters when it comes to asking for an upgrade. A few days before check-in, send a quick email to put yourself on their radar. At check-in, if your room hasn’t been assigned yet, there’s still a window to make it happen.
Best Times to Ask
A few days before check-in: A quick email to the hotel can put you on their radar. (See the email examples below!)
At check-in: If they haven’t assigned your room yet, they might be able to move things around.
What to Say
Mention if you’re celebrating something special (birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, first visit).
If the hotel isn’t fully booked, politely ask:
“Would there happen to be any complimentary upgrades available?”
Be flexible! If you’re open to changing rooms mid-stay, let them know.
When I emailed the W Costa Rica before our stay, I let them know we were celebrating my husband’s birthday. They noted my request and even offered a complimentary cake or sparkling wine!
Book During Off-Peak Times
Hotels are way more likely to upgrade you when they have extra rooms to fill. A few things that help:
Checking availability: If premium rooms are still available right before your stay, your chances increase.
Midweek stays: Hotels tend to be busier on weekends.
Off-season travel: Avoid peak holidays and major events.
Pro tip: Some hotels will upgrade you to a better room if they need to free up standard rooms for last-minute bookings!
Use Your Loyalty Status and the Credit Cards That Boost It
You don’t have to be a high-tier elite to get perks. Many hotels prioritize any loyalty member over a non-member, so joining is worth it even at the basic level.
That said, the fastest way to level up your status is through a co-branded credit card:
- Hyatt stays: A Hyatt credit card can boost your odds of a free upgrade, and some cards even come with automatic Discoverist status, which can unlock room upgrades, late checkout, and bonus points.
- Marriott stays: Even a basic Bonvoy membership helps, but a co-branded Marriott card can bump you up to Gold or Platinum Elite status, which further increases your upgrade chances.
At the Grand Hyatt Kauai, my Explorist status through my Hyatt card very likely helped when I requested a room upgrade.
Use Special Requests to Your Advantage
You don’t need elite status to snag a better room, sometimes all it takes is asking the right question at the right time. Hotels often have small “soft upgrades” they can hand out just based on availability, even if there’s no formal upgrade in the system.
High Floor or View
Higher floors and rooms with a view are usually the first ones hotels offer up when they have flexibility, since they’re the easiest way to make a stay feel special without touching room category.
Corner Room
Corner rooms are often larger or have better layouts than standard rooms on the same floor, but they’re not always marketed as an “upgrade,” so they can be easier to get just by asking.
Quieter Location
Away from elevators, ice machines, or the pool can sound like a small ask, but it often puts you in a room block that’s held for a reason, and hotels are usually happy to accommodate it.
⏰ When to Ask Matters Too
A Few Days Before Check-In
Gives the front desk time to note your preferences before room assignments are finalized.
In Person at Check-In
Your second shot, this is when they’re actually looking at the day’s availability and deciding who gets what.
Small edge: Hotels tend to prioritize loyalty members when filling these requests, so pairing a specific ask with your loyalty number in the reservation gives you an advantage over a guest with no account at all.
Mention Any Issues (Nicely)
Sometimes the room you’re assigned just isn’t quite right. There might be a maintenance issue, a noisy location near the elevator, or a view that’s mostly a parking lot. Rather than just tolerating it or turning angry, a polite word to the front desk can turn a disappointing room into an unexpected upgrade.
The key is tone. Hotels want to fix a problem for a guest who is easy to work with, not defuse a complaint from someone who’s upset. Staying friendly and matter-of-fact gets you much further than frustration will.
A few ways to phrase it:
- Instead of complaining, ask: “Would it be possible to move to a different room?”
- If it’s a noise issue: “I noticed the room is right next to the elevator, is there anything quieter available?”
- If it’s a maintenance problem: “I wanted to flag that something isn’t working properly. Would you be able to move us, if there’s availability?”
If there’s availability, you might just land a free upgrade, since the front desk would often rather move you to a nicer room than deal with a maintenance ticket or a follow-up complaint later.
Timing helps too. Bringing it up as soon as you notice the issue, rather than waiting, gives the hotel the best chance to fix it while rooms are still available. If you wait until checkout to mention it, there’s nothing left for them to do but apologize. However, we had a stay once with multiple issues. We nicely brought it up at checkout, and they gave us 30,000 points!
Email the Hotel in Advance
Get my email upgrade template HERE!
Final Thoughts
There’s no guarantee you’ll get a hotel upgrade, but a little strategy goes a long way. Whether it’s timing, loyalty programs, or just asking nicely, you can significantly increase your chances of scoring a better hotel experience, without paying extra.
Want to maximize your hotel stays? Check out:
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