This was the first time I was doing the whole “ask for complementary upgrade” thing, and seeing that it was Valentine’s Day weekend. I wasn’t expecting much. But to my surprise after I placed the $50 on the table she called the back a couple times but said they couldn’t do a one bedroom and I understood. But after another longer call she offered me an “Angled Suite with a Fountain View” with a minor upgrade fee of $35 per night so “she wouldn’t get in trouble”. She said that for Valentine’s day weekend that room was retailing for $600+ even though they don’t advertise it. It had two bathrooms and a Japanese Soaking tub with a fountain view, which was really why I wanted the one bedroom. It was probably one of the nicest stays and views I’ve ever had so event tipping $50 and spending $35 extra per night was well worth it!

Checked in on a Thursday as part of a 4 night stay. Asked about a wraparound even without a fountain view. Laughed at me and said she could get fired for that. But she thanked me for the $50 as she kept it. Bad way to start a trip but it’s Vegas and I was there to gamble.

It was busy so I was not able to target a particular attendant. The Raiders were playing their first home game on Monday so Vegas was pretty active. It was my birthday weekend. I checked in late around 10:00 PM. I did a $50 sandwich. I booked a Terrace Studio for 4 nights and asked if a Wraparound Suite was available. I also asked for food and beverage credit. I was advised that neither were available. The attendant offered me a Terrace One Bedroom which saved me $80 a night. He also threw in a $50 food and beverage credit and told me happy birthday. I’ll do it again next time I stay at The Cosmopolitan.

Already booked an upgraded room but figured I would try the trick to see if anything nicer was available. Checked in around 9:30 pm on a Monday. Couldn’t target a specific clerk. Only a single line of guests to alternating clerks. Clerk was pleasant but seemed somewhat indifferent. She saw the 50 I placed between my drivers licence and credit card and thanked me. I asked if any comp upgrades were available and she said only if you pay the additional room rate. Little disappointed but still ended up with a nice view of the Billagio fountains so not all bad.

Attempted with $100 bill. The receptionist immediately placed the $100 back on the counter and would not accept. Offered me to upgrade from basic room to Terrace Studio for $35/night, which was about the price difference between the two.

Checked in, didn’t even ask for an upgrade, was told we were getting upgraded to the wraparound terrace suite, didn’t take it too serious, but low and behold it was amazing, totally made our Vegas trip the talking point…..

It was around 2:30 pm when we checked in, I chose to line up at the front desk furthest away from the autograph lounge. I smiled and gave her the tip and she said, I have you booked in a wraparound terrace suite fountain view on the east tower

They just gave us a higher up room with a better view of the fountains. The staff was really nice. She knew right away with the $20

Checked in around 12:30 PM on Monday, and there was no queue . Couldn’t target a specific clerk, so we got a young and sweet lady. I went forward asking if it would be possible to get a complimentary upgrade, and she mentioned that the room we have is already quite nice, but she’ll still check for us. After checking, she told us that unfortunately there weren’t any complimentary rooms available, but we could spend $85 per night to get a terrace suite fountain view upgrade. We didn’t find that really appealing, so we stayed with our one bed room without paying the tip. However, the room we got was on the 58th floor at the Chelsea tower and had a stunning view of both the Bellagio fountains and Eiffel Tower! By the way, a couple next to us seemed to have got an upgrade with $50. Super awkward when our clerk told us that there weren’t any complimentary upgrades while the other clerk next to her was putting his $50 tip in his pocket.

No upgrade available, despite attempt to tip with $20 trick and having communicated with concierge pre-booking about three requests, none of which were available for check in. Concierge service gave us free buffet tickets for our trouble, which was nice. All in all $20trick does not work here.