How do you get upgrades???

[SciGirl]

So I keep reading about people getting upgrades on their resorts-here is my question...how do you get the upgrades??? Please share the secrets lol!

Thanks!

We are staying at POR in October.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I suppose paying for them is not what you had in mind?

 

[SciGirl]

I suppose paying for them is not what you had in mind?

Um, yes-I meant without paying. FREE upgrades-how often do these happen and how can you get one?

 

[cara loves the poly]

The only free upgrades I have heard of are views types. It just seems to be the luck of the draw. If they have a better view or location available, they may give it to you. Good luck! P.S. - the ones you read recently about entire different resort upgrades were because of construction at AKL and trying to sell DVC at SSR. Those otherwise never happen.

 

[Keokagal]

1. automatic w some cards (not guaranteed)(has happened every time)
2. pixie dust (has happened to us a few times) I LOVE PIXIE DUST
3. ask (if not offered, our backup plan never used yet)
4. pay w cash (will if all else fails)
5. pay w points (plan this time as really want a balcony at the Dolphin)
6. sometimes if a hotel knows you have a special occasion you could get an upgrade (happened once).

If there is no upgrade, I am never disappointed. I am happy in most (not a smelly room, happened once) deluxe rooms.

Have a great trip. I know I will in 10 days!!

 

[LilGMom]

I don't think there is any "rule" as to how often they happen or who gets them - I think it is luck of the draw.

I have gotten my standard view room upgraded to a beautiful waterview room (at CBR) without asking and without knowing until we got to the room. I have asked for a room upgrade that I could pay for and have been told that there was nothing available. I feel that if we get one than woohoo, if we don't than woohoo we are still at WDW.

 

[antmaril]

I really think it comes down to one thing - luck.

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

There is nothing better than finding out you have been upgraded. We've never been lucky enough to have been upgraded at Disney but we were upgraded to a wonderful 2 bedrrom suite at the Snake River Lodge in Jackson Hole! It was heavenly.........

 

[yasmina]

We were upgraded at BWI 2 yrs. ago for no apparent reason. When we checked in, they said "good news, looks like you've been upgraded to concierge level"! I gave a thumbs up to my dh and 2 dd's.

I didn't ask, there was no special occasion...guess it was just good old pixie dust!

 

[ekball]

There is nothing better than finding out you have been upgraded. We've never been lucky enough to have been upgraded at Disney but we were upgraded to a wonderful 2 bedrrom suite at the Snake River Lodge in Jackson Hole! It was heavenly.........

OT, but -
OOOOOOHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (Drooling) Now THAT is an upgrade!!! Lucky! I LOVE the SRL and especially the spa. How awesome!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) POR only has one upgrade available.
2) Chances for that upgrade are slim.
3) Now, you might want an upgrade to a different resort.
4) Why not call CRO and just pay for it?

NOTE: I gave out plenty of room upgrades and a few resort-change upgrades. There are specific reasons and guidelines. However, the Pixie Dust upgrades are a different matter, and depend upon the CM and what they want to do for you. By the way, I NEVER gave an upgrade for free when someone asked for one. If they asked, I immediately said none were available, even if there was leeway for an upgrade. I figured they were "mooches" looking for something for nothing. From several "cafeteria" discussions, many, if not most, of the check-in CM's feel this way.

 

[antmaril]

We were upgraded at BWI 2 yrs. ago for no apparent reason. When we checked in, they said "good news, looks like you've been upgraded to concierge level"! I gave a thumbs up to my dh and 2 dd's.

I didn't ask, there was no special occasion...guess it was just good old pixie dust!

We had that same upgrade in January 2006 at BWI. CM said to me "Good news, you've been upgraded to concierge level." It was music to my ears.

We went again this year in January. We were not upgraded, but my brother-in-law and his wife we upgraded to Deluxe Concierge at the BWI when they arrived two days after we got there. We were so jealous

 

[smep013]

We were upgraded on our honeymoon, because we were on our honeymoon, for sure. They never said a word - we went to our room and knew right away because it was a Suite. Pixy Dust! It was such a nice touch! Made us wish we were staying there longer (only 3 days before going to Jamiaca!)

 

[lyzziesmom]

I think the CMs can tell if you expect an upgrade, and like TheRustyScupper said, if you expect one then you probably aren't going to get one. I've had a minor upgrade, at Pop we were upgraded to a preferred room for free, and I was so happily surprised when we got to our room! I think if upgrades are available, the CMs are more likely to give them to people who make them happy. I always try to approach the CMs at check in with a cheerful attitude and be happy with whatever I get. You catch more flies with sugar, and all that.

Honestly, I don't understand why people EXPECT upgrades. The vast majority of people are simply going to get what they pay for. Why would anyone expect anything otherwise? Would you go elsewhere and be disappointed if you were not given more than you paid for for free? If you're not going to be happy with it, then "upgrade" yourself and reserve the room you really want.

 

[lilyv]

Agree with other posters here-can't imagine most CM's give free upgrades to those who expect them.

Rather than musing about upgrades, I've always loved packing a little treat bag for us. If we're flying, I pack what I can, and then stop at the store for anything else. Favorite cookies, or chocolates, a bottle of wine, fun travel magazines, and so on...I have a blast putting this together. I love having a guaranteed fun surprise for DH.

 

[skipperkim]

I guess the big question is, what kind of upgrade do you expect to get at POR? Honestly, the water view isn't worth it. You'd rather be close to the main building or a bus stop.

 

[Cool-Beans]

1) POR only has one upgrade available.
2) Chances for that upgrade are slim.
3) Now, you might want an upgrade to a different resort.
4) Why not call CRO and just pay for it?

NOTE: I gave out plenty of room upgrades and a few resort-change upgrades. There are specific reasons and guidelines. However, the Pixie Dust upgrades are a different matter, and depend upon the CM and what they want to do for you. By the way, I NEVER gave an upgrade for free when someone asked for one. If they asked, I immediately said none were available, even if there was leeway for an upgrade. I figured they were "mooches" looking for something for nothing. From several "cafeteria" discussions, many, if not most, of the check-in CM's feel this way.

Ah-ha!!

I keep telling people that I've recieved upgrades and never asked for them...and that I think the "trick" might be not asking. Maybe I was right!

 

[Crazy4Disney43611]

I usually just pay for my upgrades...its easier that way.

 

[SciGirl]

Thanks to those who gave me answers. I appreciate it!

To explain why I asked-I am new here and I simply wanted to know if free upgrades were common-as they seemed to be when I was reading some threads. And if they were so common, how I could get one. Who wouldn't want a little something for free, after paying so much to have a Disney vacation? I think anyone would love a bonus upgrade.

After further reading, I now realize that they are not that common and usually only done if resorts have issues (like AKL). I would never expect or even ask for an upgrade-heck, I didn't even know they ever did it for free lol. I would always just book the resort I wanted and the best room I could afford.

I don't actually even want an upgrade on this trip as we are going with a large group and would not want to be separated. I just wanted to know for future planning.

Thanks. Now I know.

(edited because I may have been a little too pissy at first)

 

[LoveKermit]

We joke that my husband is the kind of guy that never gets anything like that. And now he's staying downtown Chicago to take the Bar exam and he got upgraded! I told him he used what tiny, little bit of luck he has and we can kiss any hope of Pixie Dust at the Poly goodbye!

But it's fun to dream.....