How do you upgrade???

[sandsummers]

Okay, so I have to say this board is awesome. I have learned so much from you guys already. Next thing is...I have seen some of you talk about paying for a standard view room at some resorts and then getting an upgrade for a "view" room. How do you do this? Do you request it before check-in or at check-in? Do you pay any additional? Just looking for some advice. Thanks!

Sandi

 

[raven69david]

Make any special requests (anniversaries, birthdays, etc ) when you're making your reservation. You tell the CM when you're making your reservation or you can tell them at a later date by contacting them and having them notate your account with that info. When you check in, the hotel CM will see the notes on your account. While they are looking up your info, simply ask in a non-chelant way "Any free upgrades today?!" with a smile and you'll be suprised how often they'll do it for you. We've asked 3 times and have gotten it 3 times.

Of course, this is if you're staying during off-peak season. During peak season it's harder to get a free upgrade as all the rooms are booked up.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Just because you may read about others saying they got upgraded for free at check-in and etc, does not mean it happens everyday. In fact I think it happens less then you think. So my advice is the best thing to do if you want a specifc room or view, is to make a reservation for it and not be disappointed if your not upgraded for free. I should also mention even if you ask very nicely or with a smile, the Cast Member might charge you for an upgrade. Basically a Cast Member told me free upgrades are something which automatically come up in the computer once they put your name in at check-in.

 

[dishockeyguy]

Just a friendly shout out to another hockey fan!! 7-1 loss tonite...ouch!!. I guess I'm not bummed that Toskala got traded,
Cheers,
Bill
SJ Sharks Fan

 

[fla4fun]

Just because you may read about others saying they got upgraded for free at check-in and etc, does not mean it happens everyday. In fact I think it happens less then you think. So my advice is the best thing to do if you want a specifc room or view, is to make a reservation for it and not be disappointed if your not upgraded for free. I should also mention even if you ask very nicely or with a smile, the Cast Member might charge you for an upgrade. Basically a Cast Member told me free upgrades are something which automatically come up in the computer once they put your name in at check-in.

This is pretty much how it goes. As far as paid upgrades, you will typically pay the difference between rack rate for your current room and the room you are moving to. If you were able to book your original room at a discount, this can work to your advantage, as you will still be getting the upgraded room at a discounted price. But it all really depends on the time of year you go, what time you arrive, and how they may have overbooked the different room categories, as to whether even a paid upgrade will be available. I always book a room I will be completely satisfied with, and IF one of the elusive free upgrades comes along (it's happened a few times, but I've never asked for it) then it's just icing on the cake.

Personally, I would never ask for a free upgrade. If you aren't able to book the type of room you want, I would consider asking for a paid upgrade, and see where it goes from there. It might just be your day for a little pixie dust!

 

[Got Quattro?]

While they are looking up your info, simply ask in a non-chelant way "Any free upgrades today?!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This puts people off way more than it helps. Nobody likes a gold digger.

You have o get the cast member to want to give you the "complimentary upgrade" on their own. It requires subtle people skills that are developed over the years.

We get "comped" about 8 out of 10 times. Our strategy is simple. I check in by myself. A few minutes into the process, my wife and daughter will walk over. I have already been nice to the CM, "hows your day, bla bla bla"

My daughter or wife wil ask ME, "daddy, can we see the pool from our room", or "Will we be able to see illuminations". I give a <UH OH> look to the cm as I respond to them. "I don't know, it depends on what <CM Name> is able to give us. We will have fun either way"

The CM usually responds with a nice comment to the wife or daughter "we will see what we can do"

Of course, this all depends on how crowded the hotel is and other factors.

But again....dont ask for a "free upgrade"....that will not work more than it will.

 

[rcraw45425]

I agree about not asking for a freebie. Also, cute kids do help. Being friendly and happy to be there is also a plus, except at the CR, where, despite all of our times staying there, we always seem to get the grouchy, angry CMs. No idea why, I think it's because they always seem to be training someone and they usually mess something up with our check in. The nicest check in CMs we have encountered were at YC and GF, which, ironically are the two resorts that people refer to as snooty for some reason. But also, as others mentioned, book a room category that you can be happy with, then look at any upgrades as "icing on the cake".

 

[nurse.darcy]

I have never asked for a "free" upgrade. I have said. . ."Oh, its my (DH, DS, etc) birthday, anniversary, etc. trip and we plan to have a FABULOUS time. I just wish I could have afforded that "pool, fireworks, resort, etc." view room, but at least we get to have a fabulous trip no matter what." It works nearly every time if there is availability. Incidentally, when I travel for simple overnight stays (anywhere) I usually use priceline.com for booking. Its amazing how many times I have been upgraded when using priceline and paying BOTTOM dollar for a room using comments like "I got a great deal on this room, its too bad I am only at this beautiful hotel for one night. I would really like time to explore the amenities."

Usually subtleties are accepted more than not. Always smile, compliment and have a humble positive attitude. You get more bees with honey than sour grapes.

 

[lilyv]

This is pretty much how it goes. As far as paid upgrades, you will typically pay the difference between rack rate for your current room and the room you are moving to. If you were able to book your original room at a discount, this can work to your advantage, as you will still be getting the upgraded room at a discounted price. But it all really depends on the time of year you go, what time you arrive, and how they may have overbooked the different room categories, as to whether even a paid upgrade will be available. I always book a room I will be completely satisfied with, and IF one of the elusive free upgrades comes along (it's happened a few times, but I've never asked for it) then it's just icing on the cake.

Personally, I would never ask for a free upgrade. If you aren't able to book the type of room you want, I would consider asking for a paid upgrade, and see where it goes from there. It might just be your day for a little pixie dust!

We don't ask for upgrades, either. We book what we can afford. It's more our style to just enjoy visiting with the CM at check-in, without "hints".

I don't like to leave much to chance, so if the room we really want isn't available at booking, we would most likely choose another resort. It's fun for us to look forward to our vacation, knowing ahead of time exactly what we've selected.

 

[brucec32]

While they are looking up your info, simply ask in a non-chelant way "Any free upgrades today?!"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

This puts people off way more than it helps. Nobody likes a gold digger.

You have o get the cast member to want to give you the "complimentary upgrade" on their own. It requires subtle people skills that are developed over the years.

We get "comped" about 8 out of 10 times. Our strategy is simple. I check in by myself. A few minutes into the process, my wife and daughter will walk over. I have already been nice to the CM, "hows your day, bla bla bla"

My daughter or wife wil ask ME, "daddy, can we see the pool from our room", or "Will we be able to see illuminations". I give a <UH OH> look to the cm as I respond to them. "I don't know, it depends on what <CM Name> is able to give us. We will have fun either way"

The CM usually responds with a nice comment to the wife or daughter "we will see what we can do"

Of course, this all depends on how crowded the hotel is and other factors.

But again....dont ask for a "free upgrade"....that will not work more than it will.

Teaching the kids to be manipulative early on, I see. You in sales? I guess anything is ok if one "scores" something of monetary value. Feigning interest and concern for others for cash works for some, I guess.

And we wonder why everyone out there is so suspicious and distrustful when we are actually sincere and genuine. Oh well, to each his own.

I have been upgraded to a water view room after saying nothing, btw. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with being sincerely friendly and nice. It's the little con you're running with the kid that I'm sour on.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

By the time I get to the resort I might be tired and cranky from driving all day but when I walk in the doors I am instantly excited and happy. I always chat up the CM's about disney,my first impression of the hotel, comment on where they are from (if it applies), etc. We have never gotten an upgrade. 6 trips, no upgrades, still had a fabulous time and enjoyed the rooms we were given.

I'm not the type to ask though I am more from the if you want a special room pay for it group, don't expect something for nothing, etc.

 

[Sammie]

Nobody likes a gold digger.

over what, someone that uses their child to get what they won't pay for. Sorry but that is far worse than just out right asking.

 

[erikthewise]

If you want to ask in a polite way, simply ask "Is a view upgrade available?" This is not asking for anything for free. If an upgraded view is available, the CM can do one of three things.

(1) Give you an upgrade and tell you there is no charge.
(2) Tell you an upgrade is available for an additional charge. (By far the most likely)
(3) Simply say "yes". You would then ask "what is the additional charge?", giving the CM a final opportunity to say "no charge".

If there is a charge for the upgrade, be decent enough to hesitate a couple seconds before saying "No thank you". (Don't immediately say "No way, dude!")

In any case be prepared to gratefully and gracefully accept the standard view room you reserved.

As far as giving the CM a line or being "subtle", rest assured they have heard it all many times.

 

[rcraw45425]

The other thing is that most times you are offered an upgrade because they have "oversold" your booked room category. That happened to us both times at GF, once we booked through a medical conference, when we arrived they told us our room was unavailable but would we concider a dormer room if it had a lagoon view of the Poly. We were pleased, so were they. Last GF visit they needed our room (Boca Chica, gv) and offered to upgrafe us to lagoon view with a king and queen sleeper if our girls would be willing to sleep on a pull out. They were, so it worked for both of us.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

over what, someone that uses their child to get what they won't pay for. Sorry but that is far worse than just out right asking.

I agree, however I have a feeling Cast Members who work at check-in desks must see this everyday when parents use their kids as bait for getting free upgrades.

 

[allisonswonderland]

The FIRST time we stayed at the BC we were upgraded to Concierge and it was honestly just in the computer...the CM even asked how we pulled that off...Seriously, we had a CM rate too. She asked us which one of us worked at Disney and we said it was a friend and then she asked where he worked and the funny thing is, he is the brother of my husband friend and we did not know....embarrassing!

 

[Got Quattro?]

Teaching the kids to be manipulative early on, I see. You in sales? I guess anything is ok if one "scores" something of monetary value. Feigning interest and concern for others for cash works for some, I guess.
.

It's a people skill and i am so happy i am teaching my child this. It means she will have a leg up on other children not taight this skill.

You said....everyone in the world is trying to get a leg up on someone...it's part of the world we live. Weather your the president of the untied states, a waitress, or an average business person. People skills are part of life.

If I dont teach her to get the upper hand, it just means someone will get it on her.

How good a parent will i be, when she calls me one day saying she paid $5,000 over sticker on the car she just bought because the salesman said it was a popular model and it was required.

Come down off your high moral horse and tune back into the real world.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

I agree, however I have a feeling Cast Members who work at check-in desks must see this everyday when parents use their kids as bait for getting free upgrades.

I agree - its so obvious who wouldn't see it. Unfortunately it sounds like it works - I personally wouldn't use my kids in that manner. I would rathar stay in a regular room then teach my kids how to "play someone" to get what I want - it doesn't teach respect for others. Yeah - unfortunately that may be how the world is right now...but from what I've seen the "worlds going downhill fast."

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

How good a parent will i be, when she calls me one day saying she paid $5,000 over sticker on the car she just bought because the salesman said it was a popular model and it was required.

Theres a difference between being a savvy person - knowing the ins & outs of contracts, dealing w/people,etc. - thats a great thing to teach but teaching kids to think that they have to have a "leg up" on everyone else - wow I don't know about that. You don't have to manipulate people to get a good deal.

 

[lilyv]

Theres a difference between being a savvy person - knowing the ins & outs of contracts, dealing w/people,etc. - thats a great thing to teach but teaching kids to think that they have to have a "leg up" on everyone else - wow I don't know about that. You don't have to manipulate people to get a good deal.

Reminds me of the old line from Harvey, ""In this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant."

It's absolutely possible to be both pleasant, and wise.