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.

Chose clerk furthest from manager.
It was 5pm.
Gave her the 50 sandwich and asked if there were any upgrades available. Told me that for 80 dollars I could upgrade. It usually cost 100.
I declined. She kept the 50 and said thank you.

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.

Showed up at about 8am on a Saturday. Only 3 clerks working and a lot of disgruntled guests checking out. Was called by the desk clerk, 30ish male, and gave him the sandwich and asked for a view upgrade because of it being my wife and I’s anniversary. Clerk upgraded us before he even noticed the $20! Then I couldn’t take it back. Got a beautiful studio overlooking the fountains and strip! And got to check into our room at 8am!! The $20 tip was well deserved by the clerk because of so many unnecessarily rude and grumpy guests and his automatic good attitude toward us.

Went to the Cosmopolitan twice and tried the $20 trick both times. The first time the front desk guy said i left my $20 at the desk. Because he didn’t even check for available rooms for an additional fee, i took my $20 back. I went back a year later and thought i can try again. This time she called someone for them to say the hotel is overbooked. I just took my room key, thanked her and walked away. Dont waste your money on the tip trick.

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.

Didn’t say anything, guy knew what was up and appreciated it. Went from standard 2 queen to a 1 king and pullout couch. The upgraded room was much bigger and came with a balcony.

Handed the $20 “sandwich” to the check in lady and asked if there were any complementary upgrades available. She made a call and said we can give you a wraparound terrace suite. We happily accepted! Check in was around 11 pm on a Friday and there was no one else checking in when we there.

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

Didn’t target any clerk. Check in on 12/24 Christmas Eve. Arrived at about 8pm. There was a huge line in front of the reception desk. Even thought the web site mark everything sold out, we still gave a try. Hading over a 20 dollars sandwich, we asked whether there was a complimentary upgrade available. She was very polite and offer us an upgrade immediately.
Great experience here at Cosmopolitan.