Best way to get a free upgrade at a hotel?

[SD33]

Hey all,

DW and I will be staying at the Hyatt Regency in Orange County for our Sept. Disney trip and I was wondering...what is the best way to get a free upgrade at a hotel? Any ideas, suggestions? Stories?

I have always heard of people getting free upgrades at hotels but I have never been able to snag one. We have asked a couple times but maybe our timing was off or we just didn't know the magic words to say. What's the trick?

Also, if anyone has any advice for the Hyatt (we've never stayed there) then that would be much appreciated. I heard the hotel was recently renovated but are there certain sections or rooms that are better than others?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[disneydreamer74]

Well I have had luck getting upgrades in the past, not on a DLR trip though. What worked for me was sharing if I was celebrating a special occasion or just asking nicely if it would be possible to get an upgrade. Once I was upgraded at a Marriott just for being a rewards member, so if you are a member of Hyatt's rewards program, that may help. Now, that being said, I stayed at that Hyatt on my last trip. I did try to get a free upgrade to a suite (since they had messed up my reservation anyways) but they did not oblige. The attendant said they were at full capacity, which I believe to be true. SO, really I guess it is kinda random luck!

The new renovated rooms look great. I dont think there is a bad room in that hotel. I was very pleased with every aspect of it, just wish it would have been walking distance. Cannot tell you how many times I used the Starbucks and room service. Dbf had a few drinks at the bar and some snack food there, and said it was great! Their service at Hyatt is outstanding from every aspect, from bellman to concierge!! Have a great time!!

 

[SD33]

Glad to hear the hotel is nice, Disneydreamer74! There is only so much you can get from pictures online. We stayed at the Crown Plaza last time, which is right next door to the Hyatt, and I didn't mind the distance. The shuttle was pretty convenient, plus I'm all about Joes Crab Shack and their killer Happy Hour

Thanks for the tip...we'll see what happens!

 

[mrswh]

We have stayed at the Hyatt OC 4 times (both pre and post renovation) and have zero complaints. It is a great hotel and you can't beat having Starbucks in the lobby. The shuttle runs every half hour very reliably. As far as the shuttle goes, it's actually better (at least during peak season) to stay at the Hyatt than the Crowne Plaza - I can't tell you how many times the shuttle filled up at the Hyatt and we drove right by all the people waiting at CP without stopping. (For that reason I have vowed never to stay at the CP.) You probably already know that leaving right after fireworks is a bad idea unless you enjoy waiting an hour for a shuttle back to the hotel. We would either stay for a while after fireworks were over or watch the fireworks from the back of main street or the esplanade so as to be first in line for the shuttle home. If you plan to eat at one of the hotels or DTD you can also get free parking for several hours, which is another way to beat the shuttle crowds.

The renovated rooms are fantastic. Housekeeping is superb. Overall, I think the service is very good. I love having Target across the street. I'm not sure about the standard rooms, but the suites have refrigerators so it's nice to buy a huge pack of bottled water at Target and have cold water to bring to the parks each day, at a fraction of the cost.

As fas as getting an upgrade, are you a Hyatt Gold Passport member? That might help. What kind of upgrade are you looking for? If you are looking for a room with a better view, just ask for a fireworks view (or whatever it is you want) at check-in and see what they say. Or, if you don't like your room when you get there, ask (nicely) for a different one - sometimes they upgrade you when that happens. I do think they sell out frequently, so there may not be an upgrade available, but you can certainly ask for one!

We have stayed in both towers and I don't think there is really any difference between the two. You might want to ask for a quiet room, since there is a lot of hallway activity (kids running and yelling, doors slamming, etc.) and that can be annoying.

I think you'll love the Hyatt. Have fun!

 

[ChickenCarlos]

The best way to get a free upgrade is to be part of their Rewards Program, and then ask nicely if there are any upgrades available, or like a another poster said mention it is a special celebration like birthday, anniversary, etc...
But realistically you could get one for anything, like the hotel over booked and you were at the right place at the right time, or you are just lucky.
But a way to increase your "luck" is to be a pre-arrival member of their rewards or preffered customer programs, and FYI all the rewards programs are free to join.

 

[WonkaKid]

Well I have had luck getting upgrades in the past, ... just asking nicely if it would be possible to get an upgrade.

Actually, this does work . I was in NY on business a few years ago (for two nights). I was staying at a nice place on Park Ave. When checking in, I jokingly said "You guys should upgrade me to a suite." They said "Not a problem." They gave me a fantastic suite overlooking Park Ave. Sometimes people do strange things when you ask them (nicely) to .

 

[blackjackdelta]

Actually, this does work . I was in NY on business a few years ago (for two nights). I was staying at a nice place on Park Ave. When checking in, I jokingly said "You guys should upgrade me to a suite." They said "Not a problem." They gave me a fantastic suite overlooking Park Ave. Sometimes people do strange things when you ask them (nicely) to .

I had the same thing happen at the Mandarin Oriental in DC, just said it jokingly.

Jack

 

[SD33]

I had no idea Rewards Programs were free. I guess I always assumed that you had to "pay to play" or something. I'm going to look into that also. Thanks to everyone for the tips. We'll give it a shot in September. Both my wife and I are good and smiling and asking nicely . We just need someone behind the counter who is good at smiling back...and then giving us an upgrade lol.

mrswh, thanks for the shuttle tips! Last time we went it wasn't very crowded so it wasn't a problem. I'm hoping it will be the same this time. We're going Sept. 14-18. Off season, right? Or will all those AP's who have been blocked out all summer be banging the door down? I guess we'll find out...

Luckily I studied HydroGuys fast pass post/text book/thesis lol, so I am ready for battle.