Asking for an upgrade... rude?

[roomthreeseventeen]

The one time we got an upgrade (GF, pool view to RPC), it was unexpected. I didn't even know to ask. Nowadays, if I want an upgrade, it's because I have more money than I anticipated, and can pay for it. I'm more than happy for Disney to choose to surprise people with pixie dust!

 

[TinkDisneyGirl]

We have been upgraded twice. Once at CR and once at Poly. Both times it was a complete surprise to us.

 

[pl4bby]

I like the surprise and never expect it. I pay for what I want.

 

[Burnt Toast]

special is in the eye of the beholder? lol most of our friends who visit less often than we do take turns designating one of their kids as having a milestone birthday, etc. even if it is actually months away. I'm not judging just know that there are a lot of people who spin a good tale.

when booking via CRO my DH and I have often wondered if the standard $20 bill trick upon checkin used in Vegas for room upgrades is ever is employed in WDW.

I used to get $20s slipped to me all the time... to which I would politely decline because we aren't allowed to take tips (again, works in Vegas and other places, just not here).

As for birthdays. I tell Guests all the time that fess up when I'm like, "Oh! I see it's so-and-so's birthday!" and they sheepishly go, "Well, not for a few weeks or next month or whatever".

I respond with, "Well, we here at Disney celebrate our own birthdays for 18 months at a time... what's a few more weeks for you?" Usually gets a few laughs.

 

[Burnt Toast]

After the check-in process began, I kindly asked the CM, "how much more would it cost for us to upgrade to a larger room?"

Can't stress the bold part enough. Pretty sure you would have gotten a different response if you asked for a free upgrade.

 

[Burnt Toast]

There's an important point here that I wanted to emphasize. When people talk about cast members being less than happy when they're asked for an upgrade, they're NOT talking about paid upgrades. No CM minds being asked how much it would cost to upgrade to a better room, why would they? It's more money for the hotel.

What doesn't go over quite so well is guests asking for free upgrades. Every hotel company has their own operational procedures, and at Disney hotels, directly asking for a free upgrade isn't going to work like it does at Vegas, or some other chains. Most upgrades are assigned in advance of your arrival. In the (less common) situation where a CM has the ability to grant a complimentary upgrade at check-in, it's the CM's choice who to give it to.

And given that choice, the CM would much rather give some nice, friendly guest a wonderful surprise and make their day, than just hand out the upgrade to someone who walks up and asks for it.

If you really, really want a complimentary upgrade, and you really, really want to ask, I'd strongly suggest phrasing it just like FirstTripEver did: "What would it cost to upgrade to a larger room?" Or club level, or a preferred room, or whatever you're looking for. That's a much pleasanter situation for the CM, and IF there's an upgrade available, gives them the chance to offer it to you.

If there aren't any upgrades available, they'll quote you the price difference, and if it's more than you care to pay, you can just politely decline.

Perfect! Again, when people kindly ask me what it costs to do a paid upgrade, if I can I usually do it comp if there is availability (that's the key word, availability!). Most comp upgrades are done per business need (like we're seriously oversold on a category that you booked, those upgrades are done days in advance of your arrival to fix inventory).

Lots of Cast Members think if that you're rude enough to ask for a free upgrade... that you're probably rude enough to start yelling at me if I couldn't (even if I wanted to). Usually, so it's not a negative situation by me telling you "no", if there is availability then I will give you the upgrade price and will only do a paid upgrade. Those who ask for paid upgrades, I'll most likely do it for the upgrade price (if there is availability) or comp if I can and there is a special occasion or something.

 

[Burnt Toast]

I'm just curious, you state this as fact, are you a front desk CM or is this your opinion?

I was a Front Desk CM and I can confirm that Lynne is saying. Of course, it varies from Resort to Resort... but again, we liked to choose when Magic happens, not have it to be demanded it be done. Unexpected Magic was always the best kind.

 

[Burnt Toast]

And personally, I think that makes sense. Given that CMs don't always have upgrades to give out, a guest walking up and asking me for a free upgrade puts me in the position of having to say no to the guest, which makes the encounter a negative one. A guest asking me how much one would cost? I don't have to refuse the guest or disappoint the guest, I just give them the number. Maybe they're happy to pay it, and I get credit for an up-sell. Maybe I can give them an upgrade, and really make their day. The guest is happy, I'm happy, it's a Good Thing.

Bolded for truth. You're a smart one, Lynne!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

If you don't ask, the answer is always no! It's no skin off the front desk employees' noses to give you an upgrade, so it's not rude to ask.

Okay, this is not really true. Lots of folks have reported getting upgrades without asking. It happens. Indeed, that's normally how it happens.

Second, there is a way to ask about this that's not tacky, and a way that is tacky. I think it's tacky to ask for a free upgrade, but there's nothing wrong with asking how much an upgrade would cost.

I've said many times, it never hurts to treat various employees you meet politely and kindly. Lots of time, at WDW and others, we've been given freebies just for being polite and for being a repeat customer.

If I am inclined to ask about a room upgrade not that often), then I ask what the price difference is. Sometimes, it's only a few dollars. You may find that to be true for you.

I'll never forget one trip I had where I planned to stay at ASMu on arrival night. Just after arriving, there was a sudden downpour. Suddenly, trudging to a room on the back of the property in the pouring rain with luggage, was less than appealing. Turns out, an upgraded room was only ten dollars!

Last minute cancelations also happen- so maybe when you booked- the room category above yours was not available (or not available withthe discount you booked) but now it is (for the difference in price). So like the difference between a "Standard" view and the next category up might only be $5 a night- even at the deluxes!

Sometimes upgrading is more than I want to pay, and that's okay too.

I've been to WDW many times....once in a great while we get free upgrades without saying anything at all.

Either way, I'm sure your stay at GF will be very enjoyable. I often stay at deluxes in the least expensive rooms, and I'm often surprised by how nice they turn out to be.

 

[goofynut41]

I was a Front Desk CM and I can confirm that Lynne is saying. Of course, it varies from Resort to Resort... but again, we liked to choose when Magic happens, not have it to be demanded it be done. Unexpected Magic was always the best kind.

I AGREE!!! The unexpected Magic is the real kind!!!
anyway hope it smiles down on me when I go....

 

[Jabali]

I have asked for an upgrade every year for the past 7/8 years.....how many times do you think I have received one? 7 or 8. Every year we get an upgrade for free, I don't know if its that we have been so many times, or we just know a lot of people who work in the results (met them many times), but asking never hurts.

 

[pl4bby]

I have asked for an upgrade every year for the past 7/8 years.....how many times do you think I have received one? 7 or 8. Every year we get an upgrade for free, I don't know if its that we have been so many times, or we just know a lot of people who work in the results (met them many times), but asking never hurts.

I have been many times and don't expect free just BC I have. I could never be tacky and ask for something I wasn't willing to pay for

 

[Jabali]

I have been many times and don't expect free just BC I have. I could never be tacky and ask for something I wasn't willing to pay for

Well. I can.

 

[Bob NC]

I have asked for an upgrade every year for the past 7/8 years.....how many times do you think I have received one? 7 or 8.

I don't think so, some people posting here say that's impossible.

 

[MyPrinceWillCome]

Well. I can.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I don't think so, some people posting here say that's impossible.

I'll go out on a limb here... if Jabali is staying at AKL- as the ID hints- and they are booking AKL Arusha Savannah view" rooms, the upgradet o bunk beds is only a differnce of $2 per night at full rack rates. Also "Standard view" to "pool view" is only about $10 per day upgrade - even at full rack rates. So it really depends what kind of upgrade we mean. I could see it being pretty easy to get upgraded to bunks for free. Seriously, the amount of time it takes to rebill the customer would cost Disney more.


Also, sometimes- and this is particularly true at AKL, due to it's layout, the room designations are mixed. For example, at AKL everyone wants a view of the animals. Some rooms might be technically categorized as "safari view" but they are far down a very LONG hallway, or they have an obstruction of some kind. If you pay for safari view, and you get one of those rooms, you might not be all that happy. if you are comped that room, then you are going to overlook the flaws.

 

[Jabali]

Never stayed at AKL. See my signature.

 

[conandrob240]

I always ask for upgrades no matter where I travel. I very politely ask if there is an upgrade available. If the answe is no, it is no. On many occasions, I get the upgrade, sometimes it is offered for free, sometimes for a small fee. It never hurts to ask as long as it done respectfully and professionally. For those of you worried so much about offending, you've probably missed out on some great stuff in life that was available for the asking. It isn't rude, the CM won't be embarrassed and you may very well get an excellent opportunity out of it. I always pay it forward by writing a great on- line review and/ or calling out special CMs to the hotel manager in a follow up e- mail.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

Is it possible to upgrade from a value to a moderate?

I'm able to pay the difference just wondering if you can be upgraded from a value to a moderate.

My situation: I wanted to stay in a Royal room at POR for my birthday, but didn't know how to book a split stay, so I booked the entire stay at POP

I have the extra $$ but didn't know if you can upgrade to a different resort once u are there.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Is it possible to upgrade from a value to a moderate?

I'm able to pay the difference just wondering if you can be upgraded from a value to a moderate.

My situation: I wanted to stay in a Royal room at POR for my birthday, but didn't know how to book a split stay, so I booked the entire stay at POP

I have the extra $$ but didn't know if you can upgrade to a different resort once u are there.

I think it’s very rare, unless something is wrong with the value, like there’s construction going on, or it’s completely full and double booked.