How and when you make your hotel reservation, and check in, can help you score a hotel room upgrade, even get on the the VIP or Club Floor.
Here are the top hotel hacks to get a better room without paying the price:
Reservation Matters
Reservation codes include the source of your booking.
You are less likely to get a hotel room upgrade, and more likely to get a room next to the noisy ice machine or with a view of the garage, if you book through a mass discounter such as Expedia, Travelocity or Priceline.
Ditto for reduced-rate group reservations.
Call Ahead
Calling the hotel directly can get you a better rate or an upgrade, including a room with a better view.
Even if you make your reservation through an online discounter, or if it’s part of a package tour, call the reservations manager at least a week ahead of arrival to ask to be added to the upgrade list.
Be Loyal
Join the hotel chain’s frequent guest program. They are free to join, and some offer automatic upgrades or coupons for free breakfast after a certain number of stays.
Large chains such as Hilton and Marriott operate many different brands in different price ranges, and offer special promotions like triple points or fourth night free.
Some credit cards, such as the Visa Signature card, also get you an automatic hotel room upgrade at participating hotels and resorts. 
More Loyalty
It’s all about relationships.
Even if you booked through a discount site, you have a better chance of a free upgrade if you are loyal to that specific hotel location or to its chain. So mention at check-in that you’ve stayed there before and are oh so happy to be back.
Hotels know it costs less to keep a repeat customer happy than it is to acquire a new one, so they often give special treatment to returning customers.
Even if you don’t get an upgrade, you might receive a welcome platter of cheese and crackers.
When to Check-in
There are two schools of thought on this.
One is to check in early afternoon.
That’s when the front desk has a handle on the day’s check-outs and cancellations and can move you to a better room. You might have to wait for housekeeping to finish servicing the room, but that’s a small price to pay for a free upgrade.
The other is to check in around dinner-time, or even later.
That’s when the day’s check-ins are done, and the more expensive vacant rooms are less likely to be sold. This is when loyalty program membership works to your advantage, since members are more likely to get that more expensive, upgraded room.
Visit at an Off-peak Time
If your dates are flexible, avoid peak holidays, since upgrades cannot be given if a hotel or resort is at full occupancy.
Book downtown hotels on weekends, when there are few business travelers.
Book resorts when kids are in school.
Booking at off-peak times also means there are shorter lines at local museums and other attractions. Many destinations offer discount deals immediately after the holidays, such as NYC Broadway Week two-for-one tickets in January and February, and Restaurant Week discount meals.
Call Ahead
Calling the hotel directly can get you a better rate or an upgrade, including a room with a better view.
Even if you make your reservation through an online discounter, or if it’s part of a package tour, call the reservations manager at least a week ahead of arrival to ask to be added to the upgrade list.
Play the Special Occasion card
Be Patient
If it takes you longer to check-in than the guest on the line next to you, that’s a good thing. It’s likely the front desk is juggling to find you an upgrade, or at least a room away from the elevator or ice machine.
Hotels Make Mistakes
Make the most of it if your room wasn’t ready on check-in, especially if you check in several hours after the day’s check-outs and cancellations (see above).
Recently, I got comped for the second night of a two-night weekend stay because of a check-in disaster. The room assigned me wasn’t ready at 5 p.m. when my son and I checked in tired and hungry after a long drive for a family event.
The replacement room they assigned us smelled so musty that even the bellboy assigned to help us find it agreed we shouldn’t stay there, and we all went back to the front desk for a third room assignment. The check-in ordeal took more than 30 minutes.
While we were out to dinner with the family, the hotel manager left a bottle of wine in the third room they found for us, along with a note that I wasn’t being charged for the second night.
Smile
Just being personable and friendly can help you get a free upgrade to a nicer room, even a suite, when you ask for one. That also works when you check in for a flight and want a better seat.
What’s your favorite hotel hack for getting a room upgrade?
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