I often bag free hotel upgrades – it only takes one polite email – Bundlezy

I often bag free hotel upgrades – it only takes one polite email

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
I decided to email the hotel and tell them how excited we were to stay (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

Pulling up outside our accommodation, I felt confused.

The building in front of me was too small to house a lobby but far too big to be a private room, and yet, a woman holding a tray of welcome drinks indicated that we were in fact in the right place.

Having placed a phuang malai – a traditional flower necklace – around our necks, my boyfriend James and I followed her down the path and through a huge wooden door, which revealed a day bed overlooking a pool. That’s when it hit me…

This was the pool villa. As in the £400 a night, private pool villa I’d seen online.

We’d officially been upgraded. And all it had taken was one polite email.

The first time I was successful in getting an upgrade it only happened because I told a little white lie.

Sign up to The Getaway newsletter

Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.

It was 2015 and I’d won a competition that bagged me a four-night trip to Barbados for just £50 per person. It was undoubtedly the deal of a lifetime.

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
I decided to email the hotel and tell them how excited we were to stay (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

Not content enough, it would seem, I emailed the hotel saying that my partner and I had just got engaged and so we were in the market for beach wedding venues, if there was anything they could do to make our stay more special. 

I hadn’t told James what I’d done, so when he spotted me swapping my ring onto my left hand at the check-in desk and clocked what was going on, he was mortified, looking at me with obvious disapproval. 

On arrival at the room, I noticed we had a sitting area and kitchen – and a strange door. Upon opening, the door revealed a hidden staircase, which led up to a private rooftop pool and terrace.

That’s when it hit home – we had been upgraded to the honeymoon suite.

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
I didn’t need to be a celebrity, newlywed or influencer in order to get the best room (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

Even though I thoroughly enjoyed cosplaying the life of a wealthy newlywed for a few days, I have to admit, I didn’t love that I’d had to lie to get it. So I promised both myself and James not to do it again.

Then, in 2016, I was at a talk with co-founder of boutique hotel website Mr & Mrs Smith, Tamara Lohan, when she uttered a phrase that has stuck with me: ‘going on holiday is a special occasion.’ 

In that moment I realised I didn’t need to be a celebrity, newlywed or influencer in order to get the best room or be treated well – I just needed to ask. I’ve stuck to her advice (and honesty) ever since and, not only does it still work, I’ve even had better luck.

That’s how, in 2019, James and I wound up in that pool villa in Thailand.

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
The first time I was successful in getting an upgrade it only happened because I told a little white lie (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

Having spent most of our two-week trip travelling frugally in places that cost about £25 a night, we’d decided to end our trip on a high by booking a five-star hotel on the island of Koh Lanta

At around £130 a night for the cheapest room it already felt like a massive treat, but I couldn’t stop myself from taking a lustful look at their fancier rooms – some of which included a lounge, two bathrooms, and a plunge pool costing around £400 a night (well out of my price range).

Rather than be left wondering ‘what if’ however, I decided to email the hotel and tell them how excited we were to stay and ask, very nicely, if they happened to have any upgrades available.

I never expected to be bumped up to their most expensive villa, though.

Chelsea’s free hotel upgrade email template

Hi there,

I hope you’re well.

After reading some amazing reviews, I’ve just booked a stay at your hotel for me and my boyfriend and we are both so excited! I cannot wait to try the spicy margarita from your library bar.

This will be our first getaway in a while and so would love to be considered for an upgrade to help us celebrate if you have the availability.

Upgrade or not, we are really looking forward to staying with you.

All the best,

Chelsea

Find out more here

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
I’ve sent many messages to hotels in the hope of a cheeky upgrade (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

As I cast a glance around at the spacious lounge – complete with its own front deck to watch the sunset – I tried my best to play it cool – like staying in this level of opulence was something I did all the time, but inside I was losing my mind.

From that trip on, I’ve sent many messages to hotels in the hope of a cheeky upgrade, and while it’s not always guaranteed, I’ve had a pretty decent hit rate.

Sometimes we just get upgraded to rooms a few tiers higher than what I’ve paid for – which is still a win, I might add – other times we’ve been lucky enough to get bumped up to suites with rooftop pools or received prosecco on arrival and generally just better treatment.

My point is: If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
Finding the name of the hotel guest manager often helps too (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)

Some people feel awkward asking for an upgrade, which I understand, but think of it as giving the hotel an opportunity to show how great their customer service can be. 

I generally find it helps if you say why you’re excited to stay and are as kind and as complimentary as possible, all the while making it clear you don’t expect anything and are just thrilled to visit.

Finding the name of the hotel guest manager often helps too, and I’d recommend sending your email around three or four days before arrival for a short break, or a week before if you’re staying for longer. 

(Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
And remember, if they say no, that’s ok too! (Picture: Chelsea Dickenson)
Comment nowHave you ever received a hotel upgrade? Have your say in the comments belowComment Now

It will change from place to place, but too far out, and the hotel may still be waiting to see if they can sell the best rooms. Too close to the booking, and they may have allocated the rooms already.

Sometimes, they might offer you a paid upgrade instead. In that case, you can simply thank them for the information and confirm you’ll stick to your booked room for now. 

And remember, if they say no, that’s OK too! As long as you’ve been polite, then nothing changes. This is always just a bonus to your stay, and not something you should expect. 

That said, since sharing my email template on my website, I’ve had numerous messages from people who’ve landed upgrades worth hundreds, even thousands. One person even got bumped up to a £1,000-a-night suite – something I’m still waiting on myself! 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all this, it’s that asking nicely can go a very long way.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk

Share your views in the comments below.

About admin