$20 Trick

[SleightOfHand]

I hear that the $20 trick is an effective way to get room upgrades. I am going to be in Vegas with some cousins and friends for New Years Eve for 2 nights, and wanting to give a bonus Xmas gift was thinking about doing this... How effective is it and are there any differences during times like New Years (like a short supply of rooms reducing effectiveness). What if I tipped more than $20?

PS: For those of you that don't know, the $20 trick is when first checking in and giving your credit card (or cash deposit works too I suppose), you "tip" the front desk person $20 and ask for complimentary room upgrade, and if successful, you will get a better room for your stay.

PSS: What if we purchased the room through a 3rd party like expedia?

 

[Lonesome Gambler]

This may be helpful: http://www.thetwentydollartrick.com/Hotels/

It has success rates and comments on each experience. You can also look at the dates and see if there are any trends, but I wouldn't imagine that it would be harder on the holidays, unless the hotel was expecting to be nearly fully-booked.

 

[shadroch]

I've read it generally doesn't work when you book thru third partys. From my experiance, it works best at mid-value hotels like Harrahs and Rio. I was laffed at, quite literally, when I offered it at Paris.

 

[SleightOfHand]

This may be helpful: http://www.thetwentydollartrick.com/Hotels/

It has success rates and comments on each experience. You can also look at the dates and see if there are any trends, but I wouldn't imagine that it would be harder on the holidays, unless the hotel was expecting to be nearly fully-booked.

Yea, I was looking at that and it seems that EmGeeEm (where we will be staying) has a pretty awful success rate. A little online searching looks like they aren't allowed to give "complementary" upgrades. I guess I can just pay for the upgrade

 

[JohnGalt1]

I've never done the $20 trick. I don't care if my room faces a parking ramp or wall. I'm only in my room 7 hours a day--unless I lose my ass.

Unless I was with one of those women who would think that a room like that was a dump and that I was the ass for not asking for something better.

 

[bjcardcounter]

I've never done the $20 trick. I don't care if my room faces a parking ramp or wall. I'm only in my room 7 hours a day--unless I lose my ass.

Unless I was with one of those women who would think that a room like that was a dump and that I was the ass for not asking for something better.

Ditto. But I will try this next time. There are plenty of rooms free

 

[aslan]

I hear that the $20 trick is an effective way to get room upgrades. I am going to be in Vegas with some cousins and friends for New Years Eve for 2 nights, and wanting to give a bonus Xmas gift was thinking about doing this... How effective is it and are there any differences during times like New Years (like a short supply of rooms reducing effectiveness). What if I tipped more than $20?

PS: For those of you that don't know, the $20 trick is when first checking in and giving your credit card (or cash deposit works too I suppose), you "tip" the front desk person $20 and ask for complimentary room upgrade, and if successful, you will get a better room for your stay.

PSS: What if we purchased the room through a 3rd party like expedia?

Naturally, being the religious person that I am, the first think I thought of from the title of your post was a $20 hooker (hooker = trick as in turning a trick)! As I read on, I'm saying to myself, "He doesn't really think they'll let him keep the room after business is over, does he?" It all goes to show you that all you heathens out there don't have near as much fun reading these posts as holier-than-thou folks do. :laugh: Have more fun! Join a church!

PS -- Sorry for getting this thread closed. When I see something funny (in my mind anyway), I can't help saying it. :joker::whip:

 

[shadroch]

$10 or $20 works wonders when renting a car, as well. It helps if you tip the counter person, but woks better if you tip the yard guy instead. Rent a compact and $20 will usually bring you an upgrade to almost any non-premium car on the lot.

 

[21forme]

$10 or $20 works wonders when renting a car, as well. It helps if you tip the counter person, but woks better if you tip the yard guy instead. Rent a compact and $20 will usually bring you an upgrade to almost any non-premium car on the lot.

I'd rather have a compact - better gas mileage. Why do I need a big car in LV?

 

[bjcardcounter]

I'd rather have a compact - better gas mileage. Why do I need a big car in LV?

To stack 1.5 M chips :joker:

 

[21forme]

To stack 1.5 M chips :joker:

Only need a motorcycle for that :grin:

 

[shadroch]

I'd rather have a compact - better gas mileage. Why do I need a big car in LV?

If all you do is drive from casino to casino, the difference in gas would be almost nothing, so why wouldn't want more comfort? If driving out to the Canyons or even Hoover Dam, then the xtra HP and leg room comes in handy.
If one wants to go all spartan, why not just stay at a hostel and brown bag it.
I, myself, look at my time in Vegas as a vacation and want the best comforts I can find for the littlest amount of coinage.

 

[aslan]

I'd rather have a compact - better gas mileage. Why do I need a big car in LV?

Only if you will be doing a lot of highway driving. But an upgrade from compact is not exactly what I'd term a big car.

 

[21forme]

Yeah, but with a compact, I can get away with not refilling the gas tank after a 3-4day trip, as the gauge is still on F (with about 70 miles driven) :grin:

 

[Homeschool]

Yea, I was looking at that and it seems that EmGeeEm (where we will be staying) has a pretty awful success rate. A little online searching looks like they aren't allowed to give "complementary" upgrades. I guess I can just pay for the upgrade

There is a thread on the trick here also: http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=9 .

When I was staying at "EmGeeEm" last year for my wedding we checked in at the airport and were offered a complementary upgrade, so I'm not so sure how accurate that info is.

Homeschool

 

[shadroch]

Yeah, but with a compact, I can get away with not refilling the gas tank after a 3-4day trip, as the gauge is still on F (with about 70 miles driven) :grin:

Unless the previous renter was a complete tool, as well.

 

[badclover]

More then likely your attempts at this trick will fail on your currently planned trip. NYE in Vegas is like no other.. it is Incredibly busy even in this economy. If you have never been be warned... dont wonder to far from your hotel once midnight hits unless you like not getting back to your hotel via walking for about 1-2 hours depending on how far you are from your hotel.

Because of the increased occupancy on NYE prices are through the roof too, so if a normal $50/night upgrade charge is the norm then figure $150-200 for an upgrade on NYE... (this is just an example not actual figures)

Only other option is if you have some good rated play at the place your staying, contact a host or ask the person behind the counter if you can get an upgrade based on previous play.

 

[Coach R]

I've read it generally doesn't work when you book thru third partys. From my experiance, it works best at mid-value hotels like Harrahs and Rio. I was laffed at, quite literally, when I offered it at Paris.

Paris is a crappy place anyway, no worth the money. Orleans and Bills are the best rooms for your dollar. (but I think Harrahs just bought Bills)

 

[shadroch]

Paris is a crappy place anyway, no worth the money. Orleans and Bills are the best rooms for your dollar. (but I think Harrahs just bought Bills)

Bills is named after Bill Harrah and has been a Harrahs for a number of years now. It used to be called The Barbary Coast, but became Bills when it was sold to Harrahs several years ago.
I disagree with your assesment of Paris. I find it to be a great place to stay while on the strip, but I have not paid for a room in Vegas for years.