I was in town with inlaws for a 2 night stay. I booked both rooms with my registered malice account. I’m not a big gambler but I had stayed at Mandalay Bay previously. I had $49 run of the house rooms reserved.

When we went to check in I just pulled out a $20 and held it folded in my fingers and asked if they had any upgrades. Clerk was a 30ish year old looking white dude. He said let me check….yup…you guys want suites? Said sure ! We got suites in Delano with a view of an ac unit literally outside the window, but still a nice upgrade. I had $75 food and beverage credit with my reservation and he upped it to $100 per room, too. This was in Jan 2017

Standard sandwich, $20. Politely asked if any upgrades were avaialble, checked and upgraded to bay king suite. Very nice room.

Went in the mlife line and when I went to hand the sandwich she said no, just the ID. Thought my plan was foiled so I just left my card and cash on top by the edge of the counter on her side. After she read the room I had booked I asked about the upgrade she said let me check and offered a suite in Mandalay bay but it wasn’t ready or a suite right then in Delano. It was 10am and we didn’t expect to get a room that early so it was a nice surprise. Went from a mandalay resort king to a Delano king suite.

Got cheap last minute flight for the wife and I, got to MB late afternoon on my b-day, won $40 on a slot the moment I walked in. Feeling good, I’ll use the $40 to try the trick. Get to check in, no one in line…wow!!! Reading all the great stories, and my luck thus far, I thought upgrade for sure. Walk up to the clerk, and hand him the sandwich with the $40 between my ID and credit card and asked if there were any specials or upgrades available. He takes the ID and card, leaves the $40 on the counter. As he clicks away, he wishes me happy bday, makes a couple calls, jokes with us about spending time in Vegas with no kids…all great signs that an upgrade is coming. He takes the $40, gives us our room keys, and directs us to the elevator. I ask, “so was there an upgrade?” He simply says “sorry, no, were completely booked.” OK? Walking up to our room, I thought maybe a welcome basket or champagne will b waiting for us. Nope, nothing.
Didn’t work, but at least it wasn’t my own money.

I did the 20 dollar sandwich trick and was able to change/upgrade my 1 king bed to two queen beds and placed on the top floor facing Delano. It wasn’t much of an upgrade but helps a lot since my group and I was able to sleep comfortably and the room location was near the elevator.

Originally booked 7 nights in a standard King Room! Front desk lady noticed straight away our $20 inside our passport and asked if we were celebrating a special occasion!?? We notified her it was our wedding anniversary and she gave us a an Elite King suite on the 29th floor!! Amazing upgrade including a bigger floor plan, a double bath tub with an excellent views! Amazing hotel and worth every cent of the $20!!!

The money sandwich did not work for me. Made my attempt on 9-27-2019 for a complimentary upgrade. Tried to tip $50 but the receptionist shut me down pretty quickly and said that the hotel was pretty busy and no upgrade rooms were available. I did not even get the king room I had reserved but got a room with two queens on the 16th floor facing The Delano.

I asked the clerk if he had any upgrades. He asked if I was celebrating anything special and I mentioned it was my birthday. Upgraded me to a business suite close to the elevator with a great view of the strip. Didn’t even need the tip but I gave it anyways out of gratitude.

Prime rush, didn’t even have to ask. Made the sandwich and Got upgraded from a 5th floor room to a 27th floor room.