I had great success at riviera NYE 2008. We had a 3 night comp in a regular room which I was not looking forward too.

At check in I told the lady, listen I really don't want to stay here but it's NYE, it's free and we got tickets to the free food/booze bash in your ballroom. I have no problem taking care of you, I work for tips also, anyway you can get us a presidential suite or a nice room?

Swear to god she says let me see what I have/can do. She hands us the keys to a room and says I guarantee you will like it. I gave her $20 or $40 and she profusely thanked me, said it made her night, I don't think many people tip for upgrades at the Riv.

We get to the room, it's a huge 2 bedroom suite, I think it was the presidential suite. There was a bar, a huge living room, 2 bedrooms, 20 foot ceilings, a dining room table, 3 bathrooms and a balcony.

I was in shock cause it was NYE. I think it works best when you're really personable and blunt with the check in people. No need to be all sly and sandwich a $20 in between the ID and CC, that move is for rookies.

I think I have some pics of the room, if I find them I'll post them here.

Here's the only pics I could find from that room. There was 1 bedroom on each side of the living room and the balcony went straight across the whole length of the suite. There was also patio tables and chairs out on the balcony.

Just got back from Vegas and used this at Bally's. I gave over a $20 when I gave my DL and CC. She asked me if I was looking for an upgrade. (they always ask this and usually try to upsell a room at an additional charge). I always reply "whatever you can do for me."

I was booked in a south tower room (the lowest rate you can get at Ballys) and when done I was in a junior suite in the north tower (the good tower).

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I used this the trip before and the person behind the counter put me in the high roller suite for a night before giving me another upgraded room. The high roller suite was about 2k square feet. Living room, dining room, bar, exercise room, master bedroom, jacuzzi next to the bed and a massive bedroom. It was acceptable for the $20. /s

So it was just a flat $20 tip, and no additional charges whatsoever? It's no $20/nt was it?

Wow, this was NYE too. This is good to hear and this is what I am talkin about

Me and 4 friends booked 2 std rooms @ Bally's in june..
Is there any chance we could get a upgrade to a 2 br suite using the $ 20,- trick, or should we just go for the 2 seperate rooms @ the diamond floor?

It's gonna cost you a lot bigger tip then $20 at Ballys and will be harder to do since you have 2 separate rooms booked.

I'd say shoot for the North tower Diamond floor or better.

What do you think I can get at PH? $20 or $40? I am booked in the Hollywood Hip room which is the standard room, what kind of room do you think they will give me? I am also going in the middle of the week. Does anyone have any past experience at PH?

Not sure what you can get, depends who you check in with and how you say it. I always go to the same guy when I check in there so he takes care of me.

One thing that is very important when trying the bribe at PH. Do not say that you will tip them for an upgrade. The check in people there are not allowed to give free upgrades for tips, management looks at it like they are stealing from PH when they do that, however they are allowed to accept tips for good service, so state it that way when doing it and you should have no problem.

How much do you tip?

Being courteous, I asked for upgrade from ****** south tower room at Bally's, and got Diamond level north tower. I gave $10.
It's ok, but not really a $20 upgrade.

The elevator lets you out around a 30 second walk from the restaurant with the $2 tacos after midnite.

You are also the closest you could be to the famous Ellis Island Steak special, around a 3 min. walk. Also a 7-11 and AM/PM right there if you want booze snacks for the room.

This was 3rd week of January in 2011 this year.

$20 tip only.

At PH usually $10 cause I only ask for a room with a view and close to the elevator, I already have the Hollywood Hip room on a comp.

If I got a nice suite or a much bigger room I would give $20.

Hey King, is the North Tower, Strip View, Diamond Level the same as a Junior Suite, or is that something more? I think I've read of people getting upgraded to Jr. Suites in the North Tower at Bally's. Thanks.

They're not the same. Jr Suites have jacuzzis.

Stayin at Rio on march9th-14th, have 3 of 5 nights comped. Please inform me about what I should ask for and how much I should offer. Thanks!

I was all set to try the $20 trick at PH. But first I asked what my room was like. He told me. Then I asked can I get a better room. I was offered a larger room facing Mandalay Bay or a fountain view room. I took the latter room, because it would make my wife happiest. I asked if he needed something for this room change I had a $20 bill ready which I am sure he saw. He said no. So $20 trick was not needed. (I did try for a panoramic room, but it was not possible.)

Then I reminded him about my allergies and he volunteered to have housekeeping switch out the bedding for hyperallergenic bedding. I slept great.

Fantastic Hotel room. Horrible Casino (for someone in there mid fifties).

Does anyone have any experience with the $20 trick at the MGM lately? Staying there for 6 nights in mid May while on honeymoon. I think it's just a standard room we have booked.

I see a lot of people posting that getting moved to the west wing isn't really an upgrade. I definitely don't want a smaller room. I'd slip a 50 if i thought it would achieve the desired result or am I wasting my time?

In todays news, the MGM is now charging extra for a guaranteed non smoking room.

What. The. ****.

Just MGM Grand or all MGM properties?

Just the MGM Grand as per the news. You can still request a non smoking room, but to guarantee you get one they are now charging.

Well this eliminates MGM and there properties from my consideration.

MGM Grand is not the only place doing stuff like this, or charging to guarantee a two-queen room. You'd have to be a total sucker to fall for it though. Not once in my life have I gotten put in a smoking room (and I always request non-smoking), and not once have I not gotten my bed preference.

UPDATE:

Never mind! Just read on another blog that MGM walked into a *****torm with this one and cancelled the non-smoking fee thing.

I had hoped they wouldn't get away with it.

I'm staying 9 nights this summer at the Mirage. I have booked a standard Deluxe room.
What can a $20-50 tip get me?
(I want easy access to the room and don't want to wander threw those endless corridors.)

is it just me or does it never work anymore? I've tried the trick at ceasers palace and MGM. Neither worked . I swear I even swooped in on the friendliest looking hotel patron. At the MGM the guy was appalled it seemed that i would even ask such a question. " You think i would risk my job over $40??" LOL ok buddy nm just give me my room key :P