I arrived at the Sahara at around 3 PM. There were about three people in front of me and I was trying to avoid the clerk lady who had two managers around her. Lucky enough I got an Asian guy maybe in his mid 40s.

I showed him my reservation I printed out from Travelocity. He then asked for my Drivers License and Credit Card. I had the pre-made sandwich in my pocket. I handed it to him. I was “swinging for the fence” and asked “are there any complimentary suite upgrades you can do for me buddy?” the 20 was clearly displayed. he told me that since it was the weekend that there was no way he could give me a suite. I guess I understood that. He then told me he could see what he could do. He typed away on the computer. He then told me that he could give me a room with two beds in the newly renovated tower. he said that he would have to “ask the manager tho”…he never did ask the manager. the room had a flat screen TV and a coffee maker. it was on the 26th floor of the tangiers tower. Not bad at all. The view was okay. it was away from the strip.

As i was walking away from the counter after the check in, he stopped me and gave me a coupon book…it was very useful. He also gave me two free passes to go on the roller coaster ride. what a nice guy. 20 bux gets u a long way.

I was swinging for the fence and i got a double instead. cant get too greedy tho. i barely slept in the hotel cuz i was always out. I would definately try this again…espcially at a different hotel.

I had a special rate of $15.00 a nite anytime in April at the Sahara. Being I was checking in on a weekend, I figured I would be getting a far away whatever room. I thought what could I lose by trying? Offered the sandwich and he put it aside and said he would looki. Asked me what I would like, and not wanting to be really greedy, asked for a balcony room. He did give it to me. It was a lower floor balcony room, but still it was nice to be able to open the doors to fresh air. It was in the Alexandria tower which was a very short walk to the casino and coffee shop…….in my eyes, a huge plus. My last visit there I was in a tower that was quite a hike to the casino and restaurants. So I had success!!

It worked like a charm. I did the sandwich trick. Clerk was happy and asked me what can she do for me…I asked her if a suite is possible…She upgraded me to a deluxe first…printed the receipt..and before i left…i guess she still wanted to help..she went out of her way..spoke to her manager and gave me suite upgrade..very nice of her! just rember to smile and be nice…

Arrived at the Sahara just before check-in on a Thursday afternoon. Nobody was in line, I walked up to the first clerk. HIs name was Bill and we was from Texas. I tried the $20 sandwich trick with my license and credit card. He put the $20 to the side walked to another computer, came back and gave me my room key along with the $20 back. Walked up to my room and…….Standard room, bone stock, nothing fancy. Oh well, @ $30/night cant complain.

Arrived around 3.45 PM to a line that moved quickly as there were several clerks working. Requested a balcony room in Alexandria Tower. Was told all balcony rooms were gone. I had not done the sandwich because I can usually get a balcony room just by asking nicely. So I said to the clerk, “If I were to give you a really nice tip, like twenty dollars, could you get me a suite or something really nice?” The clerk said yes, if I could come back in 30 minutes. I agreed, and the clerk gave me a $10 food credit coupon so I could go get a snack and wait. I came back and got the keys to a mini-suite in the Alexandria. This is a room ending in 24 at the south corner with a great strip view. Btw, the big one bedroom suite on each floor is the room ending in 44 at the north corner. The mini-suite was the size of one-and-a-half regular rooms but no separate bedroom, just one big roomy room. It had a tile entry area, dressing area, recessed wet bar, refrigerator, couch, glass coffee table on wheels, and of course an awesome balcony with floor to ceiling sliding glass doors. The bed was a new pillow top mattress with upgraded luxury bedding, like you would find at a Westin, Sheraton, or Hyatt. The elevators in the Alex are terrible but otherwise its 1966-era vegas luxury. My corner mini-suite with balcony was on floor 23, almost at the top. It was like a high rise apartment for a few days. totally worth the $10 net tip.

I booked a standard non-smoking room for 5 nights at a rate from $24-65 depending on the day. Passed the clerk $20 who joked that I was causing trouble right from the start. She mentioned that there were Deluxe rooms available, but went off to inquire on a suite. Came back a minute later and we got a suite in the Alexandria Tower over halfway up overlooking the pool. Everyone at the Sahara was very friendly. Would stay there again.

Clerk left the $20 exposed on the counter, and didn’t take it until after I reinforced that it was for her, after everything was completed. Got a $10 food credit coupon, and an upgrade to a worn 24th floor room in the Tangiers tower with a view of the north strip construction. I have no basis for comparison, but I expect they have worse rooms.

Booked a premium king (they use to call it a deluxe) for 6 nights. Had already received a price brake over the phone but tried the 20 anyway. Told the nice young girl at the desk it was my 45th and asked if she could find us a nice room. She smiled, took the 20 and went right to work. We were give a suite on the top floor for our week stay and show tickets. Granted this is not the Wynn but a great stay none the less!

She said there were no complimentary upgrades and returned my 20. Got a room with a nice view, though.