I've never done the $20 dollar upgrade before, because I feel shy/strange about stuff like that, for whatever reason. However, I was thinking of doing a $50 at Aria in a couple weeks, and I just have a stupid question.

If they are NOT able to provide an upgrade for you, do they return your money? If it was $20 then I wouldn't mind if they kept it, but I don't really want them to keep $50 if they are not able to upgrade me.

First you should know what the upgrades are and whats free and whats not. They might be able to upgrade you for free to a view of lets say Bellagio and if thats the case you don't want to be doing the 20$ trick. You can just ask nicely about being upgraded to that view. I'm sure they have plenty of rooms open.

I've given 40$ at some places and got a 400$ a room per night instead of my 60$ room. That 40$ was good for 3 nights in a huge spa 2 room suite but also at a ****ty hotel thats old so who knows if they do that at newer places. Make sure if you do try the trick to find a younger person as I've heard they're easier to talk to about the upgrade and take the money easier.

Also if they can't do the upgrade you should totally ask for the money back. I've never really seen them take it before they check all options first.

I think what you really need to do though is find out what are the room types and call ahead of time to see if there are any types of upgrades they give for free if they can accomadate it. You don't want to have to spend 20$ or 50$ for no reason.

I don't type that well so forgive me if it doesn't make sense

I usually tell them "I tip well for an upgrade, I'd rather give it to you then the casino", they laugh, (its like an icebreaker and takes the awkwardness away) and if they have it they give it to me. Depending on the hotel I give $20, $40 or $50. Last New Years Eve my friend somehow had a comp for 2 nites at the Riviera. We live here in Vegas but its always nice to have a room on the strip, so I told the lady at check in that we were locals and I used the above line. She gave us what she called the presidential suite. It was over 1000SF and had 2 bedrooms, a huge balcony, living room and bar area. I have never been turned down except at the Palazzo, where the rooms are suites anyway and the one time the $20 didn't work there she told me she couldn't upgrade me and when we got to the room it was a hospitality suite that had a patio with tables and chairs facing the Wynn and a fireplace!

My understanding is that if it doesn't work they will generally return your money, although (see below) not always. The clerks know the deal, and they really don't want you complaining to their managers that they ripped you off.

i'll be staying there in a few weeks as well.

like partypoker said, i'll be asking for a corner or a tower suite as a courtesy upgrade if one exists:

http://www.arialasvegas.com/hotel/suites.aspx


and if that doesn't work, then i'll try what kingBB does:

GL

They may or may not return it. That's part of the risk you run. I can say I'm 1/1 lifetime with the $20 trick. I was successful at TI in June '08. I asked "What kind of upgrades do you have available?" Only to be countered with the question "what kind of upgrade were you looking for?"............................?????????. I ended up getting a strip view room but judging by the girl's reaction to the $20 bill, it seems like I could have got the same room for nothing.

You truly are the king. Thanks for the tip!

It would be pretty funny if I try that in LV and the receptionist says, 'wait a minute, someone said that before'.

Vegas sounds so shady with its unwritten rules of what money will get you what and who to tip. Man I wanna go!

Hahaha, it is pretty funny. My GF has been here 2yrs and she still gets embarrassed everytime I open my mouth somewhere to get us something extra, but then she laughs when they comply.
We went to Aria last weekend and after hearing about the horrendous self parking area on 2+2 (thxs guys!) I strolled to the valet area. Had to make it through 2 security guards and then the actual Valet guy. I asked the first guy "which way to Valet"? He said they were full, I told him I didn't ask him if they were full. He said good luck, you have to get through 2 more people, they're gonna tell you the same thing, valet is full. I made it to the second guy, he told me they were full and asked if I was checking in. I told him maybe if I liked the place and I had an email invite for a comped stay. He asked if we had any luggage, I told him no. He again said they were full. I said that's fine if the next guy doesn't want to take my tip and park my car, ill leave and go to a different casino. He laughed as I drove by him and I made it to the actual Valet guy. I said I know you're kinda full, but if you don't take cars of people that are tipping you how can you make money? He laughed and agreed with me as he took my 10 spot, told me he would take good care of my car, directed us to the quickest entrance in to the casino, and told me when we were leaving our car will be out very fast. When it was time to leave the car was out in 5mins and was out before 2 other people that were waiting before us. Tips run this town bro and be it $5, $10, or more the people that work on them really appreciate them and really do go the extra mile for people that give them.

Here's another tip, you know the robes and slippers that they have in the room that usually cost $75 or more, call the maid up and ask for some extra towels or something. When she gets to the room tell her you want a few of them and give her $40 or so. She will be back quicker then lighting with all kinds of **** for you to keep including the robes. This worked the last time me and my friends partied at the palazzo in the beginning of dec. She had to bring another maid with her to carry all the **** into our room!

[/qoute]
Here's another tip, you know the robes and slippers that they have in the room that usually cost $75 or more, call the maid up and ask for some extra towels or something. When she gets to the room tell her you want a few of them and give her $40 or so. She will be back quicker then lighting with all kinds of **** for you to keep including the robes. This worked the last time me and my friends partied at the palazzo in the beginning of dec. She had to bring another maid with her to carry all the **** into our room![/QUOTE]

that is awesome deffinately doing this when i go

A little more info. Writing this from the terretza suite at Palazzo. Me and my GF decided to stay here tonight so we can get a little banged up and celebrate our 2nd anniv. I have plenty of room comps here so its free. At check in instead of offering a $20 I just asked the lady If perhaps she can upgrade us to a 3rd floor suite cause they have terraces' with fireplaces and a huge patio and I'd rather smoke out there and not get their smoking room even more smoky. She said let me see if I have one avail, bang voila free upgrade and she gave us a 1pm checkout! Don't really need the late checkout cause I'm gonna make them comp me for tmorrow too, but just thought I'd post it and let you guys know that you don't always have to offer the $20. Time to hit the casino and get ****ed up! Damn I love Vegas!

Would that trick work in the Wynn? How much would be appropriate for that hotel? Like 20 or 40? Will be there on Monday and Tuesday nights.

they don't really do that at the Wynn anymore. company policy.

also OP, you run a very very low risk of them taking your money and not giving you anything but there is a good chance they take your money and give you a small upgrade that you could have gotten for free.

Its friggin 20 bucks, how poor are you?

Whats the best upgrade youve got for $20

Who are you even talking to?

There's a whole website about the $20 trick.

Oh, that's awesome, thanks! I'll have to look once I get home, since I typed it google at work and it was blocked saying:
"Illegal Skills/Questionable Skills" LOL

I had res at the LV Club South Tower. Got me a room in the North Tower! Solid!

If they cant do much they will usually return it.

The trick is:
1. Check if it usually works at the place you are staying (website below).
2. Know exactly what you want. People give a $20 - give a vague request for "an upgrade" - and arent sure at the end of their higher floor/partial strip view was an upgrade or not.
3. Be nice!

Here is the website:
http://thetwentydollartrick.com/Hotels/

I recently booked a room in the MGM Grand, and they only charged my CC for the first night. Upon arrival, they will charge me for the whole period.

The reason I'm shy of trying this is not because I'm afraid to lose 20$, but I'm afraid they might charge my CC with the rates from the new room I'm getting. I understand that's not the point of an upgrade, but I wouldn't be surprised AT ALL if they end up doing that.

Last time I went to vegas I paid for only 2 meals with my CC (ran good at roulette) and both of the meals ended up being charged more than it actually was (yes, tip included). But by the time I got my CC bill I was already back in Europe, so what I could do...

So my questions:
- Does this work in MGM Grand
- If so, is my reason for worry justified or not? Should I just ask what amount they are charging me right there, even if there isn't an upgrade available? I'm noob at this, dunno what to expect.

Well for one thing you could have contacted your cc company and disputed the charges. They would do a chargeback.

They won't just upgrade you and then charge you alot more without you knowing. If you are expected to pay more they will quote you the new rate at check in and ask you if you want it. But thats something else than a complimentary (free) upgrade wich is the point of the 20 dollar trick.

Btw type in 20dollartrick in google, go to the webpage and you can read about peoples experiences about using it at MGM Grand.

No experience at the MGM Grand, but charging for the first day only in advance is standard, and I have used the $20 at a dozen hotels and have never been charged for the upgrade. When asking say, "Are there any complimentary upgrades available?"

OP did this work at Aria? Aria hasn't been reviewed yet on the site.