I usually do the $20 sandwich every time I’m in Vegas. Since I went during a slow weekend and had a comped room, I figured I would try $40. I handed the 25-ish gentleman my card and ID with the money in between. He saw it, said ‘Thank you’ and asked me what I was looking for. I asked him if he had a room on a high floor with a large soaking tub in the Octavius or Augustus tower . He said he had the perfect room. He told us that we were one floor from the top (44th floor) of the Augustus Tower with a strip view. The room was incredible and had a view of the Bellagio fountains.

Did not have to say anything. The $40 is self explanatory. Asked if I could get an upgrade for a special occasion. Done

Got to the check-in desk around 2:00 pm. There was one huge line, so no one could be targeted. I ended up getting a young guy in his early to mid 20s. After giving my credit card and drivers license, I asked what possible rooms are available. I wanted either a suite or a strip view room in the Augustus tower. He eventually found a Studio Suite in the Palace Tower and a 2 queen strip view room in the Augustus tower. I mentioned the possibility of having an Augustus Executive Suite instead, and he returned to the back room to talk to inventory. He came out 5 minutes later saying that that it could only be had for $250 extra per night (down from $500/night). I declined and settled on the Augustus room. Almost right as we completed the paperwork, a lady from inventory came out and said that the suite was mine for free! Ended up being on the 41st floor, with only two rooms separating it from the strip end of the building!

There was a long line, so I had no idea which clerk I was going to get. I ended up getting a clerk around 2:45 p.m. He was a nice young man, and I was hopeful this was going to work! After exchanging greetings, I gave him my ID, $30, and my card all sandwiched together in a nice stack. I simply said, “I was wondering if I was eligible for any complimentary upgrades.” I made sure I didn’t say it too loudly, though. He saw the cash and said, “Gotcha. I’ll see what I can do.” After a few moments, he upgraded my room to a nicely renovated Palace Tower room. It really was that easy, and you should definitely try this!

Got there at around 10 AM the day after Christmas for a two-night stay. Went around the casino and forum shops for a few hours before checking in. Got in line at around 1:00 pm. There were quite a few people in line, so it was really first come, first served. When I got to the desk, and the clerk saw the bill, I mentioned that I’d like to be in the Augustus Tower or in a suite, but preferably both. The clerk showed me the book, and I pointed out the Augustus Executive Suite. After this, they went to the back room to talk to the inventory people. The clerk said that it can only be had for an extra $250/night (down from $500).
After going through the computer, the clerk found an Augustus Premium 2 Queen Room on a very high floor facing the south strip (ideal view) or a Palace Premium Studio. I settled for the Augustus Room, and we were halfway through finishing the paperwork when a lady came from inventory. She told the clerk that the Augustus Executive Suite could be released for free! I paid $70/night for the Octavius Room. This suite was going for $551/night. Probably the only good gamble I made on the trip!

Got into the regular line on a Sunday evening around 6. There wasn’t much line, and the front desk agent said I got in at the right time between convention arrivals. He returned the $20 and said he would accept it after room assignment.
I asked for a julius suite or laurel collection augustus, but he said a suite would only have a king, and I wanted two queens. Was able to get me a south facing augustus room toward the strip, which was a decent upgrade over my original booking at octavius.

We arrived around 12:30AM and there was a surprising number of people in line. They have one big line and when you get to the front you go to the next available clerk, so I really didn’t have the option to choose. Although I spotted a young girl who I wish could have checked me in. When I got to the front of the line guess what? Yup I got her. I had put $40 between my license and credit card and handed them both to her. She immediately saw it when she separated them and said, is this for me? I said yes and asked if they had any complimentary upgrades. She said she would see what she could do as she typed away on her computer. She said she needed to go to the back to get me taken care of, and came back shortly after. We laughed and talked about a bunch of things and she finally said that she had gotten me a larger room in the palace tower. She did say that if people would just be polite and nice like I was it would really go a long way when they asked for favors. I had booked a Julius Deluxe and waa upgraded to a Palace premium. Not a huge upgrade but the room is very nice. A wonderful bathroom and a very comfy bed that I’m typing this from now!

Noon. Random clerk. Booked 2 beds in Palace. Asked if she could find an Augustus upgrade. Only could find King smoking. Then I whipped out the $20 and asked if she could try again. After minutes of furious typing she gave us Augustus Laurel Collection stripview non-smoking 2 beds near tower end on Las Vegas Blvd. NEVER in my life have I tried this for a hotel. Thanks FDT.com!

I had a female clerk, when I went up she said hey are you checking in and I said yep the name is Barnes, she said great can I have your ID & credit card. I handed it over, with $20. She said right away, ok, let me check. Then we chatted about why I was in Vegas what shows I was seeing etc, and she said right I’ve upgraded you to a Palace Tower Premium Room, with a Jaccuzi bath tub, Jack and Jill shower and great view, up high so you can see and it’s over three times the size of the room you had booked. This took me no time at all and no effort, may be it would have been awkward if she said no, but actually, the fun of it was almost as good as the upgrade!

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!