The word “upgrade” evokes a feeling of excitement when it’s heard in the world of travel; synonymous with “bigger” and “better,” when you are offered an upgrade while boarding a plane, for example, usually you find yourself in business or first-class. The word “upgrade” is also synonymous with better service. Hotel rewards programs offer a host of great perks and benefits, ranging from early check-in and late check-out to free breakfast or room upgrades. A room upgrade is always a pleasant surprise, especially when it’s free; nothing says “VIP” treatment like enjoying the suite perks that come with a bigger room, or a stunning ocean view. A hotel upgrade can mean anything from a larger room to tickets for complimentary breakfast, free access to the spa, or perhaps a credit towards a meal at the hotel’s on-site eatery. There are many strategies that travelers employ to score a free room upgrade; sometimes, all you need to do is ask nicely! Fortune favors the bold – special treatment is often reserved for guests who are polite when requesting their upgrade, and it never hurts to ask – if you don’t ask for a room upgrade, odds are you won’t automatically be given the keys to that penthouse suite. While it pays to be proactive, your best bet when looking for a room upgrade is to participate in that hotel’s loyalty program. Some hotels will automatically bump you up to a higher room category based on your membership to their rewards program, while others allow you to cash in points in exchange for a nicer room. Most hotel loyalty programs are free to join, and points are earned by purchasing overnight stays at the properties managed by the parent hotel. Many hotels have co-branded credit card programs that go hand-in-hand with their loyalty programs, making it that much easier to earn rewards and points towards a room upgrade, free nights, and more.Hotel Room Upgrades
Hotel Reward Programs
How to Get a Room Upgrade
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