Asking for an upgrade... rude?

[marybogue]

Thank you for asking this! I had the same question!

 

[lililoo12]

Thank you for asking this! I had the same question!

Its tacky to ask for free stuff.

 

[5mouseketeersforus]

Nothing against the original poster, but I have never understood this. People pay for these rooms. Why should other people get them just by asking at the front desk if they can have one even though they didn't pay for it and don't want to pay like everybody else. I just don't have that kind of...guts.

*like*

 

[disnut8]

The OP said she would be fine without an upgrade asking for one isn't tacky or rude. It's just asking. I'd imagine the conversation would go something like this -

Cast Member - OK - I have your room here
Brother - one question - do you happen to have any upgrades available?

Scenario 1 -
Cast Member - No, I'm sorry I don't
Brother - OK, thanks

Scenario 2 -
Cast Member - Yes, I do, it would be $XXX to upgrade to Y
Brother - Oh, too rich for my blood, thanks

Scenario 3 -
Cast Member - Yes, I do, it would be $XXX to upgrade to Y
Brother - OK, that's reasonable, I'll take it

To the OP - I wouldn't play the cancer card. To me, that would be tacky as Disney gets people who are terminally ill. I know your mother has been through a lot but there are a lot of people there who have been through more so doing that would, in my opinion, not be advisable.

 

[CT Yankee]

My response to a question like this is always "the worst they can say is no." We received very nice upgrades on our last two trips to WDW and the first time we did not even ask for one - it was true pixie dust for us. Just simply ask if they have any upgrades availalbe.

Never underestimate the power of suggestion. I'll never forget this one episode that happened at the jewelry counter when I worked at Filene's: A mom came in with her high school aged son to buy him a good watch for his graduation present. The salesman spent lots of time with these customers to find just the "right" watch. Once they were finally settled on which watch to buy for the son, the salesman turned to the mom and very politely said, "And now it's your turn." The mom paused for a second and said, "You know, you're right - I haven't bought myself a new watch in a long time!" The guy made another sale with no pressure - just a polite suggestion.

 

[MyPrinceWillCome]

To the OP - I wouldn't play the cancer card. To me, that would be tacky as Disney gets people who are terminally ill. I know your mother has been through a lot but there are a lot of people there who have been through more so doing that would, in my opinion, not be advisable.

I specifically said I wouldn't do that. I just mentioned it in the original post, because I was talking about why I want this trip to be very special for my mother.

 

[mefordis]

Definitely ask! If you don't ask, you don't get! Have a great trip!

You might want to save some money between now and then so you can pay for it if they don't upgrade for free!

Edit: Actually, personally with that money I would take your mom out to a very nice dinner at V&A. I find concierge to be a rip off and I am surprised anyone pays for it. It's like you are competing with all the other people who were overcharged for the scraps they put out.

 

[Chrisrokc]

I plan on asking on our March 1st trip. If they ask for me to pay that's okay, but if they don't I am going to keep my mouth shut. Right now it looks like I can't upgrade at the same rate I got in November. Blah! But I bet if they have empty CL rooms when I arrive their tune will change.

 

[cindym]

I took my sister to the YC a few years ago. All the way down I told her about the great balconies there. When we got to our room the balcony was on a roof looking at the air conditioners! They had literally put a railing on the graveled roof that the air conditioners were on. I have never seen a balcony like that. I called the desk and asked if we could be moved as I had built up my sister's expectations so much. I had booked standard and a parking lot view would have been ok. We just wanted to be able to sit outside. (it was Jan. we're from Ohio)
We would have been sitting with the maintenance men on that balcony! They gave us an upgrade to a lagoon view room! So it doesn't hurt to ask politely.

 

[Pandora5]

I have never asked for an upgrade myself, however I have been on the other side. We were always more than willing and understanding with guests that were courteous and polite rather than expecting to get something for free - not that you fall into the second category, just saying. If you do get the upgrade, make sure to take the time and write a comment card WITH the CM's name.

As many others have said, there is only one way to find out if it's available or not, and that is to ask. I would guarantee the staff is well trained in dealing with these requests and I don't believe it would put either of you in an uncomfortable situation. I say go for it.

 

[Jennasis]

I was upgraded on my honeymoon from standard view at BC to the concierge floor. I didn't ask for it and discovered the upgrade on check in. When we got to the desk and told them our name, the CM handed us our room keys and told us we were in room 5XXX. I shook my head and said "Wait..isn't that the concierge floor??" She just smiled and told us to have a magical stay!

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

If you ask for an upgrade at the desk, the price you are quoted at the desk typically should be equal to the difference in rack rates between the categories, plus tax.

Example: You are booked in a Standard room, which has a rack rate of $200 per night. You are paying a discounted rate of $175 per night. The rack rate for a BetterThanStandard room is $250 per night. Your reservation is 3 nights long. The cost to upgrade would be 250-200 = $50 per night x 3 nights = Total of $150 + Tax*.

Do not attempt to haggle prices, as the cast members do not have any flexibility with the rates that are charged. No, it doesn't matter that your room was originally booked at a discount. Your discount still applies to the original room you booked (remember, in our example above, you're being quoted Rack - Rack, not Rack - Your rate ... if it had been calculated that way, you would have been quoted $75/night + tax for the upgrade.)

* 13% tax for All Stars, 12.5% for all other resorts (6.5% State Hotel Tax, plus either 6.5 or 6% county sales tax)

 

[Diegosmom]

Last Jan we stayed at the all star, while checking I was chatting with CM about how excited I was to celebrate my bday there and it was hubby and DS's first trip to Disney. Once I got my room assignment it was really far from the main pool and food court and bus. I politely asked if we could get a room any closer. She called a manager and said that she had a birthday girl and they put me in a preferred room right close to everything. It was great but I would have been happy with the room I was originally assigned.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I only asked once, and I got it. We had booked a standard room at ASMO, and my son desperately wanted a toy story room. I told her I would have booked it but there were none available with the discount I used. She smiled and said we were lucky because a lady booked a preferred room, and 2 minutes before we got there, she wanted to switch to a standard to have a room by the rest of her family, and didnt know that they booked standard. So she said she actually HAD to switch someone.....and she was very nice about it. I approached it as I didn't really expect it, but thought I would ask, maybe that helped.
On another note, I saw a women yelling at the CM at POR this year because she "requested" a room close to main building and they put her in AB in the back. They told her sorry, they are just requests, they had no other room. As she walked away I heard the CM say that she actually "could" have switched her, and if she had been a little nicer about it, and not demanded, she would have.
So maybe its not the fact that you ask, its the way you ask

 

[Bob NC]

No matter what anyone says, asking for an upgrade is not rude. It happens every day at hundreds of hotels/motels everywhere.

Some people here inject waaaaay too much into this simple little request.

Rest assured that if you inquire about an upgrade, the activity in the lobby will not come to a screeching halt, background noises suddenly mute, and everyone start staring at you.

If you go into a store and ask if something is on sale, is that rude?

If you make an offer for a car under the dealerships asking price, is that rude?

People that think it's tacky are coming up with far out potential dialogues of what might happen. The resort CM's have experienced this and really, it's not a big deal. Their jaws will not drop and they will not fumble for words while praying they do not offend you.

 

[nkereina]

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.

However, I will say that whether or not an upgrade can be given solely depends on occupancy. Their hands may be tied. If the hotel is at or near capacity, chances are very slim. If it's a slow time of year and you're checking in early, chances are greater.

 

[MyPrinceWillCome]

Rest assured that if you inquire about an upgrade, the activity in the lobby will not come to a screeching halt, background noises suddenly mute, and everyone start staring at you.

Haha! Thanks for this!

 

[gogo]

No matter what anyone says, asking for an upgrade is not rude. It happens every day at hundreds of hotels/motels everywhere.

Some people here inject waaaaay too much into this simple little request.

Rest assured that if you inquire about an upgrade, the activity in the lobby will not come to a screeching halt, background noises suddenly mute, and everyone start staring at you.

If you go into a store and ask if something is on sale, is that rude?

If you make an offer for a car under the dealerships asking price, is that rude?

People that think it's tacky are coming up with far out potential dialogues of what might happen. The resort CM's have experienced this and really, it's not a big deal. Their jaws will not drop and they will not fumble for words while praying they do not offend you.

A great common sense answer to a question that is asked all the time.

 

[Mommyof3inVA]

I have actually been in your position when I went to the Hilton in Waikiki Beach for spring break. We were upgraded to an exclusive club level floor at check in for no reason at all I did not ask but I think it happened because my friend & I were both single, young 22 year old females

You should wait until you are handed your room key, then ask if there are any upgrades available by chance. This way you are giving the manager the opportunity to possibly upgrade you first. Then if it does not happen you can ask. If you dont ask you will wonder what could have happened...

Hope you get that upgrade!!

 

[Disneydreamer MN]

As long as you are nice its not tacky at all! I am almost always upgraded and would never pay to have a better view, location act. I never ask, just nice and excited and suggest (from time to time) that it would be great if I had a room near the pool, elevator, etc. I know people say all the time that they never give out upgrades but I/we have found that we usually get a better than expected room. Disney has given us some amazing room upgrades that were not asked for at all! With your mom I would just let them know how much you are looking forward to your trip and excited to be there, etc. As far as the staff goes, they hear it all day long and I don't think it makes them uncomfortable. We can't see the computer so they can respond however they want and not feel bad at all. Be nice and see where it goes. Have a great trip!