The $20 trick, or, do comp upgrades exist?

[Abbeys_mom]

In Vegas, we use the $20 trick...get your mind out of the gutter, not that kind of trick!

When checking in, we fold a $20 bill peeking out from a driver's license or credit card. We (usually DH) will ask if there are any specific upgrades, like a Fountain View or a suite, available. We have had this work every time at the Bellagio. If there are not any upgrades available, simply pull the $20 tip back. If there are upgrades available, the check in attendant keeps the $20. Since we usually book the cheapest room, and we know how much the value of the upgrade is, this works out to our favor.

My question...has anyone tried this at GCH? We are going in January and want to try it, but don't want to cause a scene, like if CM can't accept tips. Clearly, Vegas is completely different than DLR, but still...

TIA!

 

[NStramler]

I do not even think it is worth trying... Disney will upgrade when/if possible and you can bet your bottom dollar that the managers are watching those cast members like hawks to make sure a "tip" is not exchanged for a better room.... My opinion, if you want a better room at Disney, you might as well just book the room you want.... Vegas and Disney are two entirely different things...

 

[MouseyMin]

I think I read somewhere that Disney Cast Members at Front Desk positions can get fired for accepting a tip.

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

Cast Members in all areas can get fired for taking a tip. Obviously tipped positions like valet, maids, servers, baggage guys can accept them though.

 

[Sherry E]

I got a totally free upgrade at the PPH (just 2 weeks ago - peak holiday season) from a standard room to a park view room with an excellent view of California Adventure! I was so pleased with my room. I didn't ask for it. They just gave it to me. I could watch World of Color and see the DCA Christmas tree, and watch the people milling about by Ariel's Grotto. I could hear the screams from Mickey's Fun Wheel.

I did not slip a $20 to anyone. I simply showed up before 6:00 a.m. to do a pre-check in, expecting to leave my bags at the Bell desk. The CM at check-in told me that I was getting upgraded and my room was ready right at that moment. I was thrilled.

Sometimes if you show up really, really early, that can work in your favor too. But mainly it comes down to luck. They don't always have rooms available to send you to. Most of the time, rooms are not ready for check-in at 6:00 a.m., but if you get there really early and they have available rooms, then they may give you one on the spot. Lots of people have received free upgrades in the past (sometimes they get suites instead of just rooms), but it's just a matter of luck, not an extra $20.

 

[skiingfast]

I do not even think it is worth trying... Disney will upgrade when/if possible and you can bet your bottom dollar that the managers are watching those cast members like hawks to make sure a "tip" is not exchanged for a better room.... My opinion, if you want a better room at Disney, you might as well just book the room you want.... Vegas and Disney are two entirely different things...

I agree if you want a better room pay for it beforehand. There are very few reports of free upgrades at Disney resorts and they aren't because someone asked if they were available, it was duesto honeymoons or other super rare, special occasions.

I think I read somewhere that Disney Cast Members at Front Desk positions can get fired for accepting a tip.

I have read CM's outside of the restaurants, valets and mousekeeping may not keep tips many times, and CM's have chimed in on some of these reports and confirmed it.

I have heard of the $20 dollar trick in Las Vegas though.

 

[Abbeys_mom]

Thanks! I did not want to put a CM in an awkward position, now I know not to do that, and will show this to DH so he does not.

We both are managers in the hospitality industry, and in our area that is a very common practice.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Thanks! I did not want to put a CM in an awkward position, now I know not to do that, and will show this to DH so he does not.

We both are managers in the hospitality industry, and in our area that is a very common practice.

As a manager in the hospitality industry, you approve of your employees giving away upgrades that cost several hundreds of dollars for free in exchange for $20 that they keep for themselves?

I personally thing it is a slightly underhanded approach. If you want an upgrade, either pay for it or ask for it. Or.... take a chance and wait for a bit of random "magic" to fall your way.

DH and I have been fortunate in many of our travels with free upgrades, which we have received from luck, kindness, and smiles. $20 at Disney does not lead to bought magic, but awkward moments.

Good luck with whatever room you get,
Dreams

 

[Abbeys_mom]

As a manager in the hospitality industry, you approve of your employees giving away upgrades that cost several hundreds of dollars for free in exchange for $20 that they keep for themselves?

I personally thing it is a slightly underhanded approach. If you want an upgrade, either pay for it or ask for it. Or.... take a chance and wait for a bit of random "magic" to fall your way.

DH and I have been fortunate in many of our travels with free upgrades, which we have received from luck, kindness, and smiles. $20 at Disney does not lead to bought magic, but awkward moments.

Good luck with whatever room you get,
Dreams

Yes, because we know the value of our guests feeling like they have an extra special experience that has little hard cost to the business. As a manager, I know the actual cost of upgrades, and there are times I cannot accommodate the request, or one of my staff will inquire and I can approve or suggest an alternative. Guests yelp, trip advise and post on BBs like this one about their experiences. In the majority of the hospitality industry, it is very common and very accepted - and I am talking all aspects of hospitality from limo drivers, hotel concierge, tour guides, servers, etc. Some of those people rely on tips because they make so little. The employers know their employees give better service when they work for tips.

The intent of my post was to find out if it was common or acceptable at Disneyland, and I understand this is NOT Vegas. It is certainly not something that we expect, I am not underhanded. I would never put a CM in risk of getting fired, and I thought this was the place to ask.

The unexpected magic is the best part of Disney, they know how to hire people who are passionate about hospitality!

 

[ranman1973]

Vegas is a different world. I recently did the $20 trick at the Flamingo. Well worth it, but that is vegas ;-)

 

[BlueJade]

What about in other tourist places or trips in southern California or just traveling in general? Are you saying we should be bribing employees on a regular basis? This kind of makes me feel slimy, but if that's the practice, well, at least it's out in the open. I mean, Vegas, maybe, because people are in the kind of big roller mind-set. But everywhere else, too? I sort of understand pulling out some bucks to get a better table at a high end restaurant. But this is just standard in many other places? Isn't bribing illegal in general?

Should we be bribing the people at the ticket gates at airports when our planes are cancelled? Do you have an idea of the percentage of people who are bribing?

I'm just wondering.

 

[GrandBob]

http://www.thetwentydollartrick.com/

This web site covers only Las Vegas. Apparently it's common there. I've also heard that it's worth trying in New York City. Don't know about other areas of the country.

No, I've never tried it. Always booked the room I wanted. But it's good to know what the common practices are.

Abbeys_mom, I appreciate your asking about it here. I wouldn't have expected it to work at Disney, nor would I have tried it. But it's a very reasonable question, and I was curious to read the answers. I hope other posters don't come down hard on you.

-Bob

 

[jlmarr]

Really makes me uncomfortable, but we're going to Vegas (Paris Hotel) in a couple of months so I'll have to give it some thought. This is one reason I avoid Vegas shows - the idea of "greasing" the maître d’ just doesn't feel right.

 

[NStramler]

To each their own but I would not be comfortable doing this. I guess I feel all customers should be treated equal... without a "bribe"... I now know of a few hotels in Vegas I WILL NOT stay at... It's really sad that people just don't book and pay for what they want to begin with.

 

[jemilah]

Vegas is BIG on tipping , I have got tips for just doing my job at our store. When we tipped our valet in San Diego ....we got treated like royalty!

 

[NStramler]

Vegas is BIG on tipping , I have got tips for just doing my job at our store. When we tipped our valet in San Diego ....we got treated like royalty!

I have no problem with tipping... we always tip! What I am talking about is slipping money to someone to get something better.. to me that is not a tip, it is a bribe. That desk clerk is cheating the company he/she works for.. by giving the person a better room for a low price, it is costing the owner money.. Yes, I have walked into a hotel late and night and rented the last room, which was a suite.. I paid the asking price, so if the clerk had upgraded another for some $$$ in his pocket before I arrived. I would have paid for the lower room, this making the hotel not get the money for the suite but for two of the lower priced rooms. Just my opinion... but as a business owner, if I ever find an employee doing that.. he/she is GONE! If we want to upgrade a customer just to be nice that is one thing but no $$$$ better change hands to do it!!