Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Sneaky Vegas - The $20 Hotel Suite Trick

One of the best deals you can pull in Las Vegas is the $20 trick while checking into your hotel. It's a very simple procedure... if you aren't afraid of hearing the word "no". Here is how it works....

Las Vegas hotels are huge! Some having more than 5,000 rooms. With that said, a lot of times the "suites" at these hotels are often empty and ripe for the taking. These upgrades and sometimes lavish (depending which hotel you book) suites could be yours for a small "donation" to the clerk working the counter upon arrival.

Once the check-in process begins, slide an Andrew Jackson onto the counter and ask nicely..."Any chance I can get a suite?" The clerk will often check the computer to see what is available. Usually, if there is an upgrade vacant, they will allow it. If by chance a suite is unavailable during your stay, you may be able to score a room with a better view, or in one of the newer towers. Either way, this trick works frequently and could make your Las Vegas visit even more enjoyable.


Tips for Scoring the Upgrade
1. Do Research - Be Specific - each hotel has different categories and naming systems for their suites. I have had the most success with the $20 trick when I ask for a specific suite. I usually aim high (Corner Suite, Penthouse Suite :) and then get offered a smaller, but still way to damn nice for me, suite.

2. Be Confident - this trick is commonplace and 99% of the hotel clerks have seen it. They are not going to reject your reservation for asking, so don't be nervous. The worse they can say is no... and you go to your already reserved room.

3. Go During the Week - Since it is a weekend town, Las Vegas hotels can be had for highly discounted prices during the week. If you are traveling to Sin City Monday-Friday, your chance for upgrade success highly improves.

Rhino Nights's Success Stories
The actual savings can add up extremely fast. During a bachelor party we stayed in a huge 1,700 square ft. suite at Bally's for $800 a night. On our next trip, we booked a regular room at Bally's for $79 a night. Using the $20 trick, we were able to get the exact same 1,700 square ft. room! It was absolutely unreal. Below is a list of places we have successfully scored a suite or upgrade using the $20 trick.

Caesars Palace
Harrahs
Flamingo
Imperial Palace
Bally's
Palazzo
Venetian
Mirage
Stardust (R.I.P)

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at rhinonights@gmail.com

10 comments:

  1. This is almost reason enough to go to Vegas! good info!
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  2. Have you tried this trick and they said, "No" and kept the $20?
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  3. Thanks for your question young Gabriel... this has not occured to the Rhino Nights staff... however I once received the upgrade, left the $20 on the counter.... got to my room and received a phone call from the front desk. It was the clerk asking if I had left the $20 on purpose! He must have been new :)
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  4. Did you score a GO room at the Flamingo?
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  5. Yes, we actually did score a "Go Room"... they have really nice beds and amenities, however they aren't very large...at least the one we got. We did have a great view of the beautiful Flamingo pool though... thanks for commenting!
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  6. Just in Vegas this past weekend. Tried the $20 trick on thursday night at the Mirage (we had a basic king deluxe room and tried to get the tower deluxe room. They said no, but there was a room with double beds on a higher floor. We said no, but for some reason still got put in the room. So the trick didn't work out to well for us. FYI - we checked in around 1am on Thursday night.
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  7. p.s. - they kept the 20
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  8. cgb... sorry it didn't work out for you. We have actually had success at the Mirage. I think it is very hit/miss, depending where you stay, what time of year it is and how busy the hotel is .... them keeping the $20 is unacceptable and would make me want to look elsewhere for a hotel.
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  9. I'm heading to Caesars Palace this Sunday, for 4 nights, what do you think my chances are of the $20 trick working then?

    BLW
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  10. think this would work at the wynn/encore? i feel like they're more higher class and therefore wouldn't give up suites as easily.
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