Best Vegas Hotel Upgrades!

Already know the ol’ the $20 sandwich trick? Then it’s time to hear how our users got along! Here’s a roundup of the best stories as voted by our users.

Our Users’ Favorite Stories…

Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Strip View Room  from  Resort Room 
I got in late so I wasn't sure if there would be any rooms available for upgrade. But, it's Vegas, so gambling is part of the fun. I didn't target anyone specifically. When I approached, I was a little sloppy due to my bags and my "sandwich" wound up being more of a salad. The $20 actually almost fell onto his keyboard when I set it down. I had a comped resort room. I asked if there were any complementary Upgrades. He immediately offered me the King Tower Strip View on the 25th floor or a King "Stay Well" Room. I took the Tower Room. He got it all set up and I pushed a little more and asked if there was any way I could get a complimentary late checkout. He was able to get me a 1PM checkout instead of 11am. All in all, great result for my fist attempt.
Read more about Mirage room upgrades
Tipped:  $50 Upgraded to  Prestige Bella Suite  from  Bella Suite 
It was one of my girlfriends first time travelling to Vegas I had prepped her on the checking in process and why it was important( as she was flying in earlier than I was) She always landed in a grouchy horrible mood and was genuinely rude to the people that served her and upon my arrival at the front desk she had only just grabbed the room keys. I asked had she tipped etc? And she said no.,..I was annoyed as I had booked the suite for a reason and suspected her foul mood would ensure we weren’t getting the full experience. I take the lift up to the fifth?!?! floor and open the door to our room with a view of the air conditioning units and the dirty usually hidden back of the restaurants where staff would be emptying the trash and taking smoke breaks. Furious I headed downstairs to apologise for my guest and request any possible upgrades. 40 something floor above treasure island, free drink cards at their nightclub as I had prebooked tickets to a djs show there in a few nights time. Couldnt fault the staff at all, they were more than obliging. As for foul mood, I stayed in Vegas longer so she flew home to Australia on her own and we haven’t spoken since. Final straw for me....she was someone who would embarrass you every meal by leaving no tip, being rude to servers....wouldn’t friend her again but 9/10 would stay at the Palazzo again
Read more about Palazzo room upgrades
Tipped:  $40 Upgraded to  Jubilee Grand Suite  from  Jubilee Room 
We didn't target any clerk, and we also went in the mindset that this may not work. We checked in around 3pm on a Wednesday and the line wasn't long at all. I handed him the sandwich and the guy squeals "oooooh what do we have here?". I was upfront with him and told him that I "had goodies for him" and he said "hold up" and walked into a room. He came back and apologized for being gone so long. He started typing furiously and said he had an Executive Suite available for us at no extra charge. He was so polite and funny, making small talk. We slipped him an additional $20 after the transaction was complete because he was such a great guy and so grateful for the tip.
Read more about Ballys room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Pyramid Suite  from  Pyramid Deluxe 
Thought I had no chance, Vegas was busy line was insane for check in due to EDC being on that weekend. Initially the lady found the $20 sandwiched between ID and credit card, she placed it on the counter and said sorry I can’t do much as we are so busy. I left the bill there and said no problem that’s for you! she was friendly and chatty and she suddenly said she managed to upgrade us to a suite facing the strip. Amazing!
Read more about Luxor room upgrades
Tipped:  $50 Upgraded to  Prima Suite  from  Luxury Suite 
Was directed to a young female clerk. Sandwiched $50. Said it was our anniversary. Was upgraded to Palazzo with strip view on the 48th floor. Resort fees were waived.
Read more about Venetian room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Tower Deluxe  from  Pyramid Deluxe 
Um... so the $20 tip trick worked, but then again it didn't? The reason why i am unsure is because I did the trick but clerk didn't take it. I placed the $20 in between my id and credit card and handed it over. I asked if there were any upgrades availible, i got an upgrade to double queen bed tower room with soaking tub, (real nice). The clerk also gave me 2 free passes to the buffet for either morning or night, (would have been better if the food was better). But after he returned my ID and credit card, the $20 was still there sandwiched inside. So he didnt take the money but i still got a deal. I wonder if the upgrades would have been given even with out the tip...hmmmm.
Read more about Luxor room upgrades
Tipped:  $30 Upgraded to  Jubilee Grand Suite  from  Jubilee Room 
I greeted the younger lady and handed her the sandwich. Asked if there were any complimentary upgrades and when she saw my tip (30 bucks) she quickly put it away and started typing it away. And, HOOK it up! we got tickets for a show. Two champagne bottles and ice cream!
Read more about Ballys room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Jubilee Room Strip View  from  Jubilee Room 
Worked, went from the room she booked to the room she wanted. Got an amazing strip view with a king bed instead of the queen without a view. Saving us 80 bucks a night.
Read more about Ballys room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Unsure  from  Unsure 
Downtown Grand (not listed so used Fremont) I watched a ton of vodeos about the sandwich trick before we went to Vegas so of course i had to try. We arrived at the airport at 10:30 pm and my wife and I talked about this trick on the way to the hotel and made a plan. We entered the Downtown Grand Hotel and there was a female clerk helping someone and she seemed to be in a crap mood. The male clerk behind the counter was also helping someone but he appeared normal so we targeted him. While waiting my wife decided to change our plans and she wanted to give the sandwich and ask for the upgrade. Well wouldn't you know the female clerk got finished first and called us over (not looking good). My wife had the $20 dollar sandwich ready as we approached the counter and the clerk asked us if we were checking in. OMG my wife froze up and started laughing as she was holding the all important sandwich!! Well i panicked and took the sandwich from her and gave it to the clerk. "Do you have any complimentary room upgrades" i asked. The clerk, who i am sure was thinking we were crazy, immediately located the $20 bill and put it to the side and said "let me check". She started typing away and said " yes we have a one bedroom suite ready for you". "Holy crap this actually worked" i thought. We got our keys walked up and loved our room. A basic room to a suite for three nights for only $20. Thanks Downtown Grand!!!
Read more about Fremont room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Superior Strip View  from  Classic 
arrived at Harrahs at around 12pm on a Monday and was asked to use the automated check in but refused stood in the Q, was taken by a girl , she took our details , asked what room we had been allocated , she advised classic Mardri Gras room , i asked if we could have one of the newly renovated Valley Tower rooms , and I slipped her $20 in passport , she said let me check and said they only had the double Queen strip view suite if that would be ok , to which i relied yes had a brilliant view of the Mirage and room was massive.
Read more about Harrahs room upgrades
Tipped:  $40 Upgraded to  Palace Tower Premium Room  from  Forum Tower Deluxe 
I checked in on Tuesday afternoon and had high expectations. I waited in line for about 30 minutes and was assigned to a young Asian guy. I asked if there were any complimentary upgrades available today and he said "we'll see" with a smile. I put two $20 bills between my AMEX and driver's license, then handed it to him. He saw it, thanked me and immediately put it next to the keyboard. I originally had a sub-par (comped) forum tower room, but was upgraded to Palace Premium Studio! I wanted the Augustus Strip View but they were completely booked out. However, I enjoyed my Palace tower room very much! Two shower heads, two bathrooms, a big jacuzzi tub, bidet, high floor, pool view and directly in front of the pool entrance. Just checked and these rooms can go for $4-500 a night!
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Two Bedroom Luxury Suite  from  Deluxe Strip View 
Slipped a $20 between id and credit card and gave it to the guy and asked if there were any 'complimentary upgrades available'. He took the $20 and gave it right back to me and said let me check with my manager. I was a bit confused and embarrassed. He came back and said that they would be able to upgrade me to the 2100 sq ft luxury king suite with two king rooms. I originally booked a basic room that was 500 sq ft. I was only staying one night, so I assume that has a lot to do with it. The guy mentioned that he couldn't take tips at the beginning, because of security cameras but if I felt that the service went above and beyond, I could tip him after he checked me in, so I gave him the $20 after he handed me the room key.
Read more about Red Rock room upgrades
Tipped:  $50 Upgraded to  Luxury Suite  from  Luxury Suite 
Checked in around 3PM and was quite busy. I was unable to select a clerk so got directed to one. I put $50 between my Amex and passport, she saw the $50 and pushed it up towards the desk. I ask if there are any piazza suite upgrades, she said none are available complimentary but at a reduced rate, which I declined. She then put me on the 33rd floor with a strip and mountain view. I also asked if she could come the retire fee which she happily did. So $50 saved me the $40 per day view upgrade and €309 in resort fees.
Read more about Venetian room upgrades
Tipped:  $50 Upgraded to  Luxury Suite  from  Luxury Suite 
I checked in at around 2pm and did not target a particular clerk. I asked if any complimentary upgrades were available. I had the $50 in my hand with my CC and DL but didn’t offer it to him until after he said “let me check”. I slid him the $50 and said “I would really appreciate anything he could do for me”. He said he could give me a higher floor with a better view that is normally $55 dollars more per night and I said sure, sounds good to me. It was a company trip and I had 3 colleagues check in at the same time without doing the trick and they got rooms on floors 6, 8, and 14 facing away from the strip. I ended up on 34 facing the TI with a great view.
Read more about Palazzo room upgrades
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Terrace One Bedroom  from  City Room 
I arrived around 12PM on a Monday. I did not target a clerk because they had us form a line and you had to go to the next available clerk. I walked up to the desk and said "I'm a little early, I was wondering if I could still check in?" She said sure. I handed her a $20 sandwich and said "I was curious if there are any upgrades available?". She put the $20 off to the side and said she needed to call someone. She called and then got off the phone and said she could upgrade us to a terrace one bedroom for free! :)
Read more about Cosmopolitan room upgrades
Tipped:  $40 Upgraded to  One Bedroom Balcony Suite  from  Signature Deluxe Suite 
First time in Vegas! Went to one of the clerks on the left. No line to check in. Made small talk for 30 seconds or so then slipped her the sandwich with 40 bucks and asked if she had any complimentary upgrades available at all. She said she'd see what she could do and upgraded us to the highest one bedroom balcony suite they had left with a strip view in tower 2. We paid originally with 35000 chase points and the room we got would've been closer to 90000 points so I'd say we made our pretty well.
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Unsure  from  Unsure 
I tried the trick when we check in at Westgate. I placed the 20$ with my ID and Credit Card. The clerk received and ask me if I need change I said no Its for her and she ask me if I would like to have a suite room instead of the two beds that I booked. I said yes !
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Madison Avenue Room  from  Unsure 
Check in was really busy but went up to the available clerk to check in. Sandwiched the 20 between id and credit card and politely asked. The clerk didn’t say anything so just thought he was being subtle with it being busy. Then I was told I was getting a Maddison Avenue room in the Chrysler building part of the hotel. Room did have views of the mountains/ red rock canyon in the distance
Tipped:  $20 Upgraded to  Terrance One Bedroom - Fountain View  from  City Room 
We checked in at around 7:00pm on Wednesday. There was a bit of wait and it was a female clerk that checked us in. She asked us if we had stayed with them before. It was our first time visiting Las Vegas and of course it was our first time staying at Cosmo. We were only staying for one night. We didn’t ask for anything. We just handed over $20 with the ID and credit card and the lady said she would check what she could do for us. She called somebody and said she was able to update us to a one bedroom King with fountain view. The view was awesome and the room was the best! The best stay during our whole trip! I would definitely stay at Cosmo again next time!
Read more about Cosmopolitan room upgrades
Tipped:  $40 Upgraded to  Premium Fountain View  from  Hollywood Hip Room 
We arrived at around 11 a.m. after getting off our flight. There was a decent queue of customers checking out so we really weren't able to target any specific clerk. We were directed forward to a youngish woman in her 30's, with two $20's sandwiched between the license and credit card. All we asked for is that our flight was early and we were hoping to check in early, if at all possible. Once she saw the money she immediately said, "let me see what I can do for you!" and proceeded to start typing away on the computer. Not only did she waive the early check in fee, but she upgraded us to a premium fountain view room that was considerably larger than the rest of the people in our group's rooms after they had checked in. Overall, a very painless process that led to some fantastic views and a more enjoyable stay!