Checked in about 4pm on Saturday, there was a very short line, maybe 2 people in front of us. I didn’t target a clerk, just figured it was worth trying with anyone. Handed the sandwich to a female clerk in her early 40’s. She moved the license and the bill fell out in front of her. She said in a surprised voice “oh, is that for me?” I said yes and asked for an upgrade, she checked the computer and offered a spa suite if we were ok with a smoking room. Well worth the $20 and made up for the crummy weather this weekend since we could more or less hit the pool in our room.

This front desk clerk literally popped up from behind the counter. it was weird. Anyways, he was about 5′ 10 ish, i’d say about 35, dark hair going gray, glasses. Very nice gentleman. Anyways, we didnt have a choice on which clerk to approach as there was a line. right when i saw him, i knew i could get an upgrade out of him. I handed over the sandwich and asked if there were any complimentary upgrades. Once he noticed the cash, he smiled, handed it back and said “Welcome to Las Vegas”. He advised he would be able to accept the tip if he as able to get us the upgrade… he typed for a while in the computer, and got us a room on the 15th floor with a strip view, close to everything but in the quiet part of the hotel,( all at no additional cost). I then discretely handed him back the $20 and thanked him for his efforts and the upgrade.

Checked in late 11 pm – waited in line 90 minutes – only one clerk having a bad night – asked for complimentary upgrade none available – used the 50 trick – just looked at me and said no upgrades available – will not be staying at NYNY again – won’t even gamble here – had better luck at TI last trip

Handed the sandwich over. Clerk immediately pushed the twenty back and said thanks. Asked for any available upgrades, he said they were available, but I would have to pay. He made me feel like I farted in church. I’m not doing this again here.

I gave the $20 between my CC and DL and asked for the complimentry upgrade. The lady slipped back the $20 and told me there was nothing available (it was a Friday at 1200). My room was on the 30th floor looking out at the MGM. I was very satisfied with the view. I am not sure if this was an upgrade, but I was happy with what I got.

I slipped a fifty between the cards. She immediately agreed to upgrade and slid the fifty back with a smile. Because of the bad economy now is a perfect time to visit Las Vegas if you can. There are no crowds at all and the hotels have fantastic deals. I have already booked another trip for March.

Slipped $20 in the passport and since I stayed once before, I was able to make conversation saying how different it was while being checked in, and being very polite. I simply asked if there were any complimentary upgrades available, and she typed away, and got upgraded to a nice view of the Strip and got the $20 back as well!

checked in sunday @ 3pm. quite a few people in line.

slipped a $20 on my photopage of my passport. reservation was booked via travelocity sale @ ~25$/night (83 inc tax for 3 nights), so no need for credit card. told i could upgrade to broadway suite for $20/night or spa suite for $55. no complimentary upgrades avail.

ignored the 20 and handed it with my passport back to me.

clerk looked v official, placed passport and $20 asked for upgrade to higher floor and strip view.Said strip view would be $7.50 a night but could get us a higher floor. declined $7.50 a night as staying a long time after checking in clerk curious why $20 on top asked did i want change. embarressed left got room already booked.

We checked in around 8:30pm and there was a longish line. The woman checking us in was pretty young but very serious, all business, so I had a bad feeling about our odds of success. When she asked for id I placed the credit card, id, and $20 bill all on the counter together. She didn’t bat an eye at the $20. At some point I told her it was my friend’s first time in Las Vegas (which was true), and I asked if there might be any room upgrades available to make the experience more memorable. She immediately said the hotel was full, so all she could do was upgrade us from the lowest room (skyline) to one class higher (park avenue). However we had booked with an internet promotion on their website that was already supposed to get us the park avenue room, so this was not actually an upgrade. I took the $20 back. The eventual room was not that high and had a nice view of the construction next door. Oh well.