We arrived at Rio around 2am on a Monday night, we had 3 nights booked for a deluxe suite and it was already comped. There was no one in line at registration and 3 representatives available. We chose the Asian male late 20s-30s and did the $20 in between id and credit card. He took the $20 bill and placed it on top of the counter on his side, he asked if we had an preferences (up high, view, close to elevator) and informed us that they had alot of rooms available, but no upgrade. He was however very nice and we also had a couple friends who checked into another room earlier before us so he put us next to each other near the elevator.

Long line so I got who I got. Arrived around 5pm. I didn’t even ask to upgrade. Had my ID and CC ready (Disney VISA). I don’t think it had to do with the card. Got upgraded to huge suite with pool/strip views and whirlpool tub. I booked on Vegas.com for $80 and paid $32 resort fee on the trip. Maybe they could tell I had penn and teller tix and a reservation for dinner already?

No upgrade at all.
No comp, no nothing.
Wasted $40 for two rooms.

Gave clerk two $20 dollar bills.
Folded in half at the beginning of our check-in.

Was happy to accept but just checked us in.

Advise before you give tip to learn if you are getting upgrade or nothing. Studied this website before going. Live and learn. This does not work for everyone.

[Editors Note: Make sure you ask “if there are any complimentary upgrades available” when using the $20 dollar trick.]

Got a middle aged male clerk who instantly told me he can’t do upgrades but I can pay $100 a night for the upgrade. I informed him it was my bachelor party week and he just laughed. We got a room in the original tower which is old stuff. It was on the third floor over lookin a roof

We arrived after 6pm. The desk was empty. A young Hispanic girl and a African America were talking at counter. We decide to approach female. When she asked for ID and cc I had the $20 already set up. I asked her were there any complimentary upgrades she fumbled threw some screens and offered us 30th floor with strip view. She said its normally $20 per night but wouldn’t charge us. So I guess it worked, although we were not that impressed with actual room. Masquerade Tower. We should have picked other clerk he seemed very social with the person he was checking in where she was dry and had very little conversation.

I just asked – and she gave us a great room with a coffee maker too! We stayed 7 nights, which was at least $50 worth of coffee at starbucks!

I came in the middle of the afternoon and the queue was empty. There was a male and a female clerck, I opted for her ^^.

I used the usual trick, asking for an upgrade while presenting my credit card. She verified in her computer and upgraded me to a room on 32th floor with a view strip.

Be carefull: the 32 floor is 5 floor below the roof nighclub. Don’t plan to sleep before 1am.

que in line 7pm checked in there during rodeo. valet said 100% occcupancy so i thought probably no hope on upgrade. 20 dollar sandwich …oops, would i accept a smoking room on a high floor with a strip view. super plush suite large floor plan refrigerator one floor below 51st dual sinks and mini bar only downside voodoo lounge doesnt stop music till 4am on saturday. and a can of fabreeze worked great for the smoke smell…worked like a charm sandwich and asked for comp upgrade before he took id/cc

Checked in about 6 PM on a Sunday. Rather than do the sandwich, I asked discreetly if I could get an upgraded suite in exchange for a $20 tip. Clerk said that a corner suite was available in the Ipanema Tower, 16th floor. It was an awesome upgrade. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall glass facing the entirety of the strip from two walls. A panoramic, view from downtown all the way to Mandalay Bay. We enjoyed watching the traffic on the freeway and also saw the railroad. The view from the bed was fantastic. Similar to the view we enjoy at the Voodoo Lounge, just a bit lower. Really the best room view we have ever had in Vegas. Suite was very roomy, with a decent couch which folded out into a bed if need be. TV was not a flat screen, however. Bathroom was clean and large with two sink areas. Also had a very cool refrigerator. Room was probably a bit larger than the standard suite, certainly with more glass, having two walls to look out and only a corner piece to block the view.

Very tall Black gentleman

1PM( Early Checkin on SOLD OUT WEEKEND)

“I hope you can make my weekend, much better”
Never said anything about the cash,
he said “I’ll be right back, let me go check on something for you”

I had the lowest level room that was comped, and the upgraded suites were sold out the dates I was checked in.

This guy pulled a miracle, the room was around $100-150 a night above my comp level. With a strip view.

Waved the early checkin fee

Reduces my cash deposit fee in half

I saved $220-350ish, and got a sold out room

I was switching hotels and the refund of unused nights at the old crappy hotel, paid for the tip at the new hotel.