Upgrading to Concierge for Free

[mefordis]

What do you think is the best way to try to get a free concierge upgrade? Should I just (politely) ask how much it costs and if it is too much for my budget, tell them no, thank you. And maybe they will upgrade us for free? Should I come right out and ask? "Are you really booked? You don't suppose you have some empty concierge rooms just sitting there that perhaps I could occupy for no extra charge? Pretty please??"

Opinions?

Thanks!

 

[momtobrynncess]

We stayed at CR in February of this year, and upon our arrival, I asked if they had any MK views available, as I had booked a Bay Lake VIew, and thought maybe my daughter would enjoy the castle view better. I know that it costs more, and I had every intention of paying the extra cost, if the room were available. The CM asked me to wait just a minute while she went into the back room. She re-emerged with the manager, and he very politely said that they did not have any MK view rooms available, but that they could upgrade us to the Concierge Floor, and try to find us a MK view the next day. I was so amazed and grateful that I just said, the Concierge Floor would be super, thanks so much, and that they didn't have to check for MK the next day, wherever they put us on the concierge floor would be super! As it was, they put us in the very last room on the Bay Lake side, but we could easily see the MK from right outside the door to our room. We were thrilled!!!

But to answer your question as to what is the best way to achieve this, everyone has suggestions, and I don't know if there is one that works best or not. I just know that we got very lucky. I have heard people suggest asking if there are any upgrades available. I have heard it depends on the time of the year and how booked the resort is (or is not). I have heard that it depends on the cast members/resort, etc. I guess you could try what I did, and see what happens? Good luck!

 

[SB in KY]

Guee.ss it never hurts to ask nicely and see what happens...just don't be disappointed if the answer is no.

We have recieved complimentary upgrades to concierge exactly twice in 20+ years of frequent visits....once for no explainable reason and once because a pipe burst right after we checked into the room. I never had the nerve to ask, but I have heard people do it several times...some nicely and some not so nicely. Honestly I have never heard it work at WDW...but lots of people on this board have said they asked and recieved....don't know where you are staying, but an upgrade to a better view is much more likely than an upgrade to concierge

 

[Jill in Chicago]

At every hotel we have ever stayed at, both Disney and non-Disney, I always very nicely ask, "Are there any upgrades available for the same price?" We have been upgraded so many times at non-Disney hotels and one time at the WL to a gorgeous view of the castle.

 

[Cass]

You don't suppose you have some empty concierge rooms just sitting there that perhaps I could occupy for no extra charge? Pretty please??"

You're kidding, right?

 

[calgarygary]

It probably works better than "I'm your guest from hell and I'll make your life miserable every day of my stay if you don't bend over backwards to satisfy my every unreasonable demand."

Don't laugh - if you hang around the front desk long enough you would swear that some of the people checking in believe in the above.

 

[Tasmen]

It probably works better than "I'm your guest from hell and I'll make your life miserable every day of my stay if you don't bend over backwards to satisfy my every unreasonable demand."

Don't laugh - if you hang around the front desk long enough you would swear that some of the people checking in believe in the above.

Well their dollars and time are definitely worth much much more than the rest of us! People and the sense of entitlement they get when spending their money never ceases to baffle me

 

[mommytobug]

Well, you could pay for it and then be told when you got there, there was none available. That is what happened to us. Please dont think I am being rude, but a lot of people pay for that service and really save for it. I know upgrades happen and that is wonderful but to go there hoping to "beat the system" really upsets me. Again I am not being rude. I just know how hard we work and save to do things and then for someone to go and ask and be given just chaps my little hiney (big hiney)!!

 

[Cass]

Upgrades to concierge usually happen to benefit the hotel, not the guest (ie) the regular rooms are full. They also happen for special occasions, maybe honeymooners or an anniversary etc...

Honestly, I wouldn't count on batting your eyes & begging for a concierge upgrade. At WL they charge a flat daily upgrade fee, based on availability and what category you were booked in. At other resorts they quote you the full rack rate to upgrade..

From what I have read on these boards, upgrades to concierge come when you least expected it and without asking for it.

If you want concierge, you should really just book and pay for it, that's what I do.

 

[mefordis]

I'm staying at the Yacht Club. I wonder how much extra Concierge costs and if it's worth it. Is it on a different floor? I am booking two rooms, if one is concierge and the other is not, can I bring someone from the other room up there? Would we still have connecting rooms if one was concierge and the other isn't?

So many questions. I guess I should call WDW. Also, I got one of those special 1/200 rates, so I wonder if that would mess up my rate or if Concierge just tacks on a fee.

Thank you for your responses!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Asking for an upgrade like that for free rarely works. I used to work in Event Planning for a convention center and I would always say no to the people who asked for free upgrades. We were not in the business of giving away our services and I'm sure Disney is not either. I'm sure the Disney CM's see it everyday. From my experience with Disney and what I've read on these boards, upgrades come unexpectedly and without asking. Begging for an empty concierge room will likely get you nowhere.

You could ask, but the answer will more than likely be no. Why should the hotel upgrade you for free when there might be somebody willing to pay for it? Concierge is more expensive for a reason. If you really want Concierge, then book it and pay for it.

As far as Disney concierge goes, I don't feel that it really is worth it for what you get. Also, if you have two rooms and only one is concierge, only people from the concierge room will be allowed in the lounge. Your key card will be encoded to allow you access. Furthermore, if you have one concierge room and one standard room, they will probably not be connecting and in most cases might not even be on the same floor. Concierge room tend to be grouped together.

You really should just call Disney if you expect your reservation to be a bit complicated.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When upgrades to Conciegre rooms happen it's usually when the guest does not say or ask for it, because they are totally random. In May 2000 my family and I were staying on the Atrium Club when they were still light Conciegre, when the Cast Member checking us in said your room is not ready but we have upgraded you to a room on the 14th floor Tower Club. At the time the Tower Club was the only full service Concierge floor at the Contemporary.

Another time when we had reserved a regular room at the Contemporary and when we were checking in we asked if the Concierge on the 12th floor was available? The Cast Member called and said it was, however if we wanted it we would have had to pay for it. We said no thanks however we thought the Casr Member could have said I will upgrade you there for free, because he said to us you have had a lot of stays at the Contemporary. So it would be a nice thing for guests who always come back to stay there.

 

[Disney_Freak56]

I would have to agree with the poster who said that an upgrade to Concierge can happen when you least expect it.

While checking into the WL 4 years ago with my daughter and father, I was told there was a Manager's Special available for me -- for $35 more a night, we could upgrade to Concierge -- and would I be interested? Huh? Of course, I'm interested. We upgraded, I paid the difference and it was very nice. We didn't have any of the advantages of guests who had booked that level weeks in advance, but nonetheless, we enjoyed it as much as we possibly could.

In retrospect, our stay at WL was only for 2 nights, so it may be that we were offered this "upgrade" because of our length of stay.

Whatever the reason -- it's true -- Once you go Concierge, It's Hard to go Back! LOL!!

 

[momofthreegamers]

We arrived late at WL, around 1 am. Our flight was delayed. It was our first time at WL and when they gave me my key and told me I had to use it to get to our floor, I thought 'how interesting'. But didn't think too much about it. Then, when I steped off the elevator and saw the lounge....I thought...'okay, even more interesting'. I called my mom and said, 'Mom, I think we got upgraded?!?' DUH!!! Thinking back, we think it was because we came in late and there were no courtyard rooms left. But i will say that we are now spoiled and have booked concierge for our trip in 2 weeks. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Mefordis, I don't blame you for posting that type of question here. For many people going through these message boards, it sounds like free upgrades happen all the time. Unfortunately, that's not exactly true. You just see a lot more posts titled "Free Upgrade" as opposed to "Hey, I got what I paid for" In your situation, because you have 2 rooms booked, it's probably less likely that you would get a complimentary upgrade. At the YC, the club level is on a higher, secure floor, so if they only upgraded one of your rooms, technically, yourself or the family in the other room wouldn't have access to the lounge. I don't know what you have booked, but basically concierge is $120 more per night than the standard view rack rate. If you have water view booked, then it's closer to $50 more per night. Even if you ask at check-in, I don't think you're going to get an upgrade offer less than that cost. Especially, considering you already have a discounted room... the difference in cost could actually be much higher.

I'd say that if you really want club level, to call now about availability with your current discount. If you're going to ask at check-in, I would be sure that both groups are checking in together and if an upgrade is offered, you need to ask the cost. Some have reported asking for an upgrade, being told that one is available, accepting it and assuming it was complimentary, only to find out it wasn't . That could be pretty awkward.

 

[antmaril]

I've been given a free upgrade to Concierge twice -- once at the Beach Club and once at the Boardwalk Inn. Both times it just "happened" and we were thrilled.

 

[tink&donald]

Well, you could pay for it and then be told when you got there, there was none available. That is what happened to us. Please dont think I am being rude, but a lot of people pay for that service and really save for it. I know upgrades happen and that is wonderful but to go there hoping to "beat the system" really upsets me. Again I am not being rude. I just know how hard we work and save to do things and then for someone to go and ask and be given just chaps my little hiney (big hiney)!!

I understand what you are saying. I am a teacher and my husband works for the local utility department. We really scrimped and saved for a trip to BC concierge. While checking in, the couple next to us got upgraded to concierge for free. I was so disapointed because I knew how much we paid and to know that they got it for free. . . We have never been so lucky.

 

[nbodyhome]

Upgrades do happen, of course - I've been upgraded a number of times. But I never ask. I think that one bad thing about message boards is lifting expectations, when an upgrade should be a nice surprise when it happens.

You can certainly ask how much it would cost to upgrade to concierge, if available. Sometimes you can get a good deal at check-in, though that is never a guarantee either (availability or a good deal).

 

[Cass]

- I've been upgraded a number of times.

To concierge?

I can understand the OP asking for comp upgrades to better views/locations etc... but not concierge which includes food and liquor

 

[nbodyhome]

To concierge?

I can understand the OP asking for comp upgrades to better views/locations etc... but not concierge which includes food and liquor

I have been upgraded to various views, as well as upgraded to concierge. I have had friends and family members upgraded to concierge over the years too (but these are friends/family who go often - so it's maybe once in a couple of dozen stays, not all the time).