Dreaming of a hotel upgrade this festive season?
You’re in the right place!
As a hotel concierge, I know first-hand about all the tips and tricks you can use to tilt the odds in your favour to score a better room, a late check-out, and a few surprise extras.
You can unlock many of the seasonal perks like sparkling wine, welcome gifts, and festive turndown treats, but only if you ask hotel staff in the right way.
Curious to know more? Keep reading to get the scoop on my top tips!
How Do Hotel Upgrades Happen?
Hotel room upgrades happen when you arrive at the right time, ask politely with a clear preference, have loyalty status, and make it easy for staff to say yes.
This all boils down to inventory and relationship.
Inventory means the hotel rooms available. If housekeeping turns over rooms earlier than expected and there are no other paid bookings, your wish for a room upgrade becomes possible.
Relationship means the hotel staff wants to delight you. Warm energy, clear communication, and a reasonable request go a long way, whereas being rude and difficult won’t. Your hotel loyalty status (while not a strict requirement) also helps open upgrade doors, as it signals you’re a repeat customer.
Your Playbook to Score a Hotel Room Upgrade
Step 1: Book Your Stay to Create an Upgrade Path
Do
- Book directly with the hotel rather than through third-party sites like Booking.com.
- Choose a mid-tier base room that’s at least one category above the cheapest option.
- Keep your stay shorter (1–2 nights is the sweet spot)
- Add your preferences to the booking notes (only pick 1 to 2 things max to make your request reasonable and doable)
Avoid
- The absolute cheapest room during peak dates (it limits your upgrade routes)
- A long stay that blocks a premium room category for multiple nights
- “I want the best room” as your only preference (staff can’t act on it)
Step 2: Send a Pre-Arrival Note 48–72 Hours Before Check-in
A short note can boost your chances of a room upgrade.
To win over the staff, keep it short and to the point:
- Highlight your excitement
- Mention any special occasions, like a birthday or anniversary
- Select one or two preferences
Here’s a pre-arrival message template I would use:
“Hi team, We’re excited to arrive on [insert day]. If any complimentary upgrades are available at check-in, we’d appreciate consideration. A quiet, higher-floor room would be perfect. We’re celebrating [insert occasion], and any festive touches would mean a lot to us. Thank you so much!”
Step 3: Time Your Hotel Check-In
As inventory changes throughout the day, your check-in time will affect the likelihood that hotel staff can approve your upgrade request.
So what are the best times to land some holiday perks?
- Arrive mid-to-late afternoon, after rooms turn over.
- Or early evening for business hotels (usually calmer than late afternoon).
And the worst times?
- Avoid an early check-in (the best rooms are still occupied or still being cleaned).
- Or arriving late in the evening after any available upgrades have already been assigned.
Step 4: Ask and Then Stop Talking
It can be tempting to ramble, but it won’t land you a room upgrade. Use a confident, polite ask, such as: “If any complimentary upgrades are available today, I’d love to be considered.”
Then keep your preference specific and actionable, such as “A corner room,” “a quiet room away from the elevator,” or “a higher floor with more light.”
And remember, an upgrade to a suite isn’t the only win.
Micro-upgrades, like a room with a better view, a late checkout, or a breakfast credit, will improve your hotel experience and go a long way in making your stay more comfortable.
How to Use Your Loyalty Status to Increase Your Upgrade Odds
Your hotel loyalty status doesn’t guarantee upgrades, but it does move you up the priority list when inventory opens.
A simple way to think about it:
- No status: Upgrades happen when the hotel has extra flexibility.
- Mid-tier status: Upgrades often mean better placement (view, floor, corner).
- Top-tier status: upgrades may include larger categories, sometimes suites, depending on the property and occupancy levels.
Upgrade Odds Scorecard
Use this quick “odds stack” to estimate your chances.
| Factor | Low odds | Better odds | Best odds |
| Timing | Very early or very late | Mid-afternoon | Calm mid-late afternoon |
| Stay length | 5+ nights | 2–4 nights | 1–2 nights |
| Booking channel | Third-party | Direct | Direct + membership attached |
| Request style | Vague or demanding | Polite | Polite + specific preference |
| Loyalty tier | None | Mid-tier | Top-tier |
| Occupancy | Sold out | Busy | Moderate |
Hotel Brands With The Best Perks and Upgrades
Some brands upgrade because they can. Others upgrade because they’ve built it into the guest promise (or a paid program). Use the guide below to pick properties where “extra” shows up more often.
| Brand/program | Best for | What “upgrades” often look like | Easiest way to boost odds |
| Four Seasons (Preferred Partner bookings) | High-touch recognition | One-category upgrades, breakfast, and property credit of up to $100 | Book via Preferred Partner + arrive mid-late afternoon |
| Kimpton (Inner Circle) | Reliable “something nicer.” | Guaranteed one-category upgrade via Inner Circle rewards program | Get Inner Circle + keep request simple |
| World of Hyatt (Globalist) | Suites + strong elite treatment | “Best room available,” incl. standard suites. | Combine Globalist + confirmed Suite Upgrade Awards when possible |
| Hilton (Diamond) | Lounge access + occasional suites | Space-available upgrades “up to a 1-bedroom suite.” | Arrive after housekeeping turnover + ask for a quiet, higher-floor room |
| Marriott Bonvoy (Platinum+) incl. Ritz-Carlton | Big global footprint + upgrade tools | Enhanced upgrades can include select suites; NUAs can help | Request Nightly Upgrade Awards early; timing rules matter |
The Hospitality Philosophy Behind Upgrades
Hotels use upgrades to “surprise and delight” their guests.
- A better room says, “We see you.”
- A welcome gift says, “We thought about you.”
- A late checkout says, “Rest matters.”
It’s what I like to call the “Five Star Mindset,” and it’s at its peak over the holiday season. Travelers arrive wary, sentimental, and looking forward to holiday cheer. Hotels that lean into this mindset of generosity create stories guests can retell, and turn first-timers into loyal customers.
What’s your best hotel upgrade story? Let me know in the comments below!
FAQ for Hotel Upgrades
- What is the best way to ask for a hotel room upgrade?
The best way to request a hotel upgrade is to keep it simple. Ask whether any complimentary upgrades are available today, and add one preference, such as a higher floor or a quiet location. - What is the best check-in time to increase the likelihood of an upgrade?
The best time to request a room upgrade is mid-to-late afternoon, when housekeeping has turned over more rooms and the front desk still has flexibility. - Which special occasions help with hotel upgrades?
Birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons, reunions, and “celebration” trips often trigger small perks, especially during the holidays. - How does hotel loyalty status help with upgrades?
Higher tiers typically receive priority for space-available upgrades. Status improves consistency but does not guarantee a specific room category.