Should I use the $20 trick to get connecting rooms? Or then should is be $40? Or is this something that they just do anyway? Staying at RIO, both rooms in my name, so I'll be checking them both in at same time.
Ask nice. If they give you something of value, tip appropriately. Don't be afraid to come back down to the desk if it's not what you expected or were promised.
We're well past the point of a desk clerk giving you something of real value for a $20 bribe. You will get something that they would have given you for free had you asked nicely. I'm guessing they're all figuratively rolling their eyes when they see some rube with a $20 folded up between CC and ID, I know I would be.
We're well past the point of a desk clerk giving you something of real value for a $20 bribe. You will get something that they would have given you for free had you asked nicely. I'm guessing they're all figuratively rolling their eyes when they see some rube with a $20 folded up between CC and ID, I know I would be.
$20 at a Mexican resort got me upgraded from a standard room to a 1 br 2 bath full kitchen apartment with sliding doors that opened to the beach and pool.
This was after I asked nice and was told they were sold out for spring break.
Worked for me recently in Planet Hollywood, got upgraded to a room on one of the top floors with an awesome view of the fountains.
Did not work at Flamingo though, but that was for 3 nights during the weekend
Thought I'd share the story of my recent Vegas trip and my first experience with the "sandwich" trick.
The trick is to sandwich a $20 bill between your I.D. and your credit card upon check-in and ask if they have any complimentary upgrades available. Best case scenario is you get an upgrade, worst case is they slide the $20 back to you and say none are available.
I was booked into the Golden Nugget during the WSOP/Grand Series time period. My room was in the Carson Tower, which is the farthest tower from the casino and had the cheapest rooms. Because I was booked at the "special" poker rate and my stay was for 21 days, I was skeptical as to whether an upgrade would be offered. Figured what the heck, and gave it a try.
The clerk typed on his keyboard for a few seconds and asked which tower I would prefer. I asked for the Gold Tower whose elevator opens directly onto the casino floor.
He booked me into a Gold Club Luxury room in the Gold tower. Upgrades over a Carson Tower room included a huge wrap around sofa, Keurig coffee maker, bottled water, double sink/vanity in bathroom, free fruit & newspaper in the mornings. Also got a VIP pass to skip the lines at all restaurants on the property.
The value of a free newspaper for 21 days was twice the cost of my $20 bill. I estimate the total value of my upgrade exceeded $1200.
I'll try this trick more often now that I know it can work.
just used it at the Peppermill in Reno. For $10 got an upgrade to a tower suite with a tv in the bathroom, jet tub, separate dual shower and a big sitting area with a table. very nice.
Being a member of this forum, I had heard of the $20 trick, but none of the posts I saw that mentioned it explained how to do it and I never researched it.
I am actually going to do the reverse sandwich trick. As long as it is clean, they can give me a no view room for $20.
Seriously, as I will be alone this trip I am going to ask what kind of view my room has and if it has a good view, I am going to tell them give me a no-view room.
My view with the $20 a couple of weeks ago. Upgraded from a regular Augustus room at Caesars to a Laurel Augustus Room with the Bellagio fountain view. Probably could have sweet talked it for nothing but hey the front desk clerk was a sweetheart.