HOW TO GET A HOTEL ROOM UPGRADE FOR FREE (BONUS: FREE HOTEL UPGRADE EMAIL TEMPLATE)
View of the Eiffel Tower from our room at the Hyatt Regency Etoile in Paris
I first shared my hotel email upgrade template about seven years ago on Instagram. Since then, a viral Reel caused it to become so popular that I thought it was time for it to have a permanent place here - for free!
Over the past ten years, we have had much success getting free room upgrades just by doing one simple thing - asking! Before any hotel stay, I will always send an email to the hotel requesting an upgrade if one is available. While upgrades are not always guaranteed, it’s always worth reaching out - you have nothing to lose. Upgrades don’t always mean a Presidential Suite or ocean front room, it can also mean a room higher up, a birthday cake and balloons in the room, get creative!
Views of Big Ben from the London County Hall
FIVE TOP TIPS FOR GETTING AN UPGRADE
A week before our trip I will email the hotel. You want to email a decision maker. Search the hotel website, Instagram/Twitter page or Expedia/Booking.com reviews (often times a manager will respond with their name)
What to include:
Tell them the reason for your trip. Are you celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Girls Trip? First trip to their city? Let them know!
Show excitement about the upcoming stay. Tell them why you chose their hotel.
Be specific about what you want. A room with a view, an upgrade to a suite or cake and champagne in the room for that special celebration. We’ve gotten all three in our travels.
Include your reservation dates and confirmation number, you don’t want them to do any work.
If you have elite status with the hotel, include that too.
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SAMPLE HOTEL EMAIL UPGRADE TEMPLATE
EMAIL SUBJECT: Upcoming Reservation (insert last name on reservation)
Good morning,
My spouse (insert travel partner) and I will be staying with you on (insert date ranges). This will be our third visit to Paris (insert if it's your 1st trip or repeat trip) and second trip to your hotel (insert if this will be a repeat stay).
We are celebrating (insert occasion*) on this trip and would like to request (insert specifics*) a complimentary upgrade to a room with a view if one is available.
Rewards Number: (If you have hotel status, put your reward number here)
Reservation Dates: (Insert dates here)
Confirmation Number: (Insert number here)
Anything you can do to make our stay extra special would be much appreciated. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday! (insert day of check-in)
good to know
Upgrades are always based on availability. Your chances for getting upgraded improve based on the season you’re traveling and the number of people in your party. Other factors include:
Length of stay
Occupancy levels
How many guests staying with top hotel status
How many are in your party (I have found that many suites only have one bed, if I’m traveling with kids, I’ll request a room with view vs a suite)
I have had the most luck by emailing the hotel a week before my stay, then again 2 days before check-in versus requesting an upgrade at check-in (which almost never happens without having hotel status).
If you’re having a hard time finding the hotel manager email address, try:
Searching on Instagram (use the mail tab to request email), LinkedIn (search for hotel name + manager), Twitter (send a dm and let them know you’d like to make a special request and if they would provide you with the proper email address)
Reasons for travel can include: birthday, anniversary, graduation, wedding, first time visiting city, first trip without kids, etc.
Upgrade Requests can include: Upgrade to a suite, upgrade to a room with a view, special dessert/champagne in the room. I always look to see what rooms are available for booking with cash prior to sending my email so that I can request a specific room.
If you use my email upgrade template and have success, please share with me on Instagram. I love to hear your success stories!