Ever received free upgrade to concierge?

[kathyclownfish]

I'm really not familiar with the concierge level rooms at resorts. From what I've been reading they sound pretty wonderful. Has anyone ever asked for a free upgrade to a concierge room and got it?? Or would the CM at checkin just laugh at you?

 

[pooh6890]

Kathy, they are wonderful. I would suggest doing some research and paying the rate if I really wanted one though. Personally, I would never ask for any free upgrade to begin with. They are usually given by the CM without you asking due to scheduling or room problems. When we stayed at the GF we paid for a standard garden view. When our room was ready at 3:00 we were given a lagoon view instead. I am sure it was due to scheduling because we never inquired anything but if the room was ready and was given the room number. Besides, what if you ask for a concierge room and they tell you it will be $$$$ more to upgrade. What do you say then? Oh I wanted it for free? Sorry, I just would feel funny asking for something I didn't pay for in the first place. But, that is just me.

 

[shoes99]

The third week of August we stayed at the All Star Movies for 5 nights during the Disneyana Convention. The value rates went into effect the last night of our stay so I booked a room at the Boardwalk Inn for the 25th of August. The Disneyana convention was poorly run this year and we were exhausted when we moved over to the BWI. The CM asked me about the Convention and I told her it was too much walking, too disorganized and too hot. We were moving over to the Boardwalk Inn to rest. Well, we were upgraded to concierge for the one night. The room was beautiful and it overlooked the boardwalk near the ESPN club and pin cart. I took advantage of the upgrade and stayed at the hotel most of the day, skipping my convention events so I could rest. We were very pleased with the BWI and will stay there again if the price is good.

 

[las3888]

I think it somewhat depends on where you are staying, but I don't think a concierge upgrade at no charge is very likely to happen. We checked into the WL last May and were asked if we wanted to upgrade to concierge at an extra cost of $35 a night. That is a LOT cheaper than if you had booked your trip in advance through CRO and requested concierge. Well, in the end we didn't opt for it. I have seen similar instances on the boards here, either people were approached by a CM or sometimes as a guest they asked at check-in. I have heard varying rates between $30-$40 a night.

That being said, I think that is when they are pretty slow, and I'm not sure if all the hotels do this. I wouldn't count on it being available. If you were thinking of it, and didn't want to commit up front for extra $$$, you could try asking at check-in to see what becomes of it, just know that it may not be available when you get there.

Good luck!

 

[BARRY1955]

We stayed at the Yacht Club the 1st week in May 1999 and was upgraded from a standard room to a concierge room. We were kind of shocked when we checked in and were told we had been upgraded. The first day we kind of expected a knock on the door telling us a mistake had been made. That same day on our flight down we had been upgraded from coach to first class. I think this was a once in a lifetime kind of thing. I don't expect it to happed again but would love if it did.

Barry

 

[KerryCM]

Kathy, In May myself and 6 good friends went for our annual "girls weekend" on Memorial day weekend. We had 2 standard rooms booked at the BC. I did fax down a letter before we went. I put it in I understood the requests were just that. We really just wanted a second floor rooms that didn't really have to be connecting. Well, we checked in at 10am and the CM told us our rooms were ready!!! We were thrilled. i then asked where the rooms were located and she smiled and said, You are on the concirge level! We were dancing in the lobby and having a ball. When we got up to the 5th floor we were greeted by a wonderful CM who said, "You must be the ladies from MA., we have been waiting for you.' It was the best time we had. My husband and I celebrated our 30th anniversay at the YC and I had booked a concierge room. We were treated no differently in May. The "girls are headed down again in March, but we will not expect the surprise we got this year.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Kerry....I guess they didn't meet your one request to be on the second floor huh? I'm glad you had such a great time. What a nice girls weekend. I'm from Massachusetts...how come I wasn't invited????

 

[JESW]

Back in May of 2000 our family stayed at the Yach Club. At the desk I asked the CM (Fernando) if we could possibly have a room close to the elevator. The last time we were there we were waaaaaaay over near the D/S and it was always a hike with the two kids.

We were handed a key for a room on the 5th floor. Because of these boards I knew that 5th floor was concierge. We had such a GREAT stay! Of course Disney knew what they were doing because now DH won't stay any other way! (We have stayed at the YC concierge twice now and at the Polynesian once) You do get spoiled.

Good luck!

Jill

 

[materialgirl8558]

On our first time at the Yaght club we were forced to book a a standard room but wanted a WV, so when we got there (around 12pm) we asked if we could be upgraded and instead they gave us free Garden View Concierge. We've been hooked ever since.

 

[kathyclownfish]

Thanks everyone, it sounds like many of you received many unexpected surprises!! I'm bringing my mother (62) this time with my 2 kids. DD has to work, so he'll be staying home this time. I really wanted to show my mother a good time her 1st time in Disney. Hey, maybe I'll feel brave and ask for a complimentary upgrade. The worst they could say is "no". hee hee Thanks again!!

 

[DisneyPoly]

On July 4th, 2001 we received an upgrade to Poly Concierge -- the room we were supposed to be getting (lagoon view standard) was not going to be ready as hoped, since those occupying "our" room had decided to extend their stay another day. We were offered a free upgrade to concierge for having to wait a little longer. Well worth the wait!

Three weeks ago we checked into the Contemporary, our first stay at the resort, we booked a room in the Tower. When my husband checked us in, he was told we were being given a room on the 12th floor Concierge. What a nice treat!

The Disney Magic is always a nice surprise! Never expected, but graciously received.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

We really lucked out a couple days ago! I got a call from AAA informing me that the Contemporary had overbooked. We made reservations in June'01 for a Wing room. Due to the overbooking they are moving us to the Poly Concierge for the same price of our wing room!! WooooHoooo!!!!

 

[kathyclownfish]

Good for you luvnwdwgal! I'm sure I'm be thrilled to death with our savannah view room at AKL. I was just being curious about the conceirge! Thanks again everyone!!
Kathy

 

[jgates]

I am going to get gutzier now that I am 40! I'm in the what can it hurt stage of my life.

I think I would use the tactic of 'Are there any specials available on an upgrade to concierge level' or any complimentary offers for this that I might qualify for?

It never hurts to ask. Trust me. I just recently stayed with an upgrade to concierge.

In 2 other situations that just give easy examples (although not for anything as fancy as concierge)-

We stayed at a Holiday Inn Express just south of Nashville and asked for a room near elevator so my mom could get to it easily. We ended up on 3rd floor (very close to elevator) and also received a room with a mini-fridge & microwave. Upon looking at the standard room info booklet, I see that Priority Club receives upgraded room if available UPON REQUEST. Well, we didn't request and we would not have known about it in advance. The young man was kind enough to provide it to us. So consequently a lot of times there are things available you just might not be aware of (although probably not at Disney!). This was even with one of those coupons from the rest area that saved us about $25 off the price!

At Fairfield in Madison they have made an indication for us that I like the 'privacy' floor, after I requested it specifically the 2nd time we stayed. (This is an older one with 2 stories open outside and top floor w/interior entrances). Now when we go there they put me automatically on that floor because they have that noted under my number in their system (not chain wide though from what I have discovered). Consequently in winter we have no drafts around doors and also feel much more secure since my dh is not normally with us. In fact 2 of the last 3 times we have had the same room & the last time they laughed and said that one wasn't available - we had the room next door!

Sometimes even the little things you get can mean the most.

 

[hmp2z]

Hi! We checked into the GF this August, and got a complimentary upgrade to a turret king bedroom in the main building concierge. This was because we were having our wedding & honeymoon at WDW, so it was very nice of them, but we were so excited at this Disney magic, and now we are definitely hooked on concierge
Cheers!
Heather W

 

[kathyclownfish]

jgates, I know what you mean. I just turned 40 this past summer and feel the same way. My DH thinks I have alot of nerve sometimes asking for freebies. .. . . but I feel as long as you are nice about it. . . . hey why not! I would never be rude or insistent. Its the little surprises in life that make our day!!
Thanks
Kathy