Get that Room with a View without Opening Your Wallet

Get that Room with a View without Opening Your Wallet

TFE Hotels Top Tips for a Room Upgrade

Kiwi and Australian travellers look for a free room upgrade first and foremost when booking a hotel room, according to a survey conducted by TFE Hotels of more than 17,000 travellers.

Somewhat surprisingly, free mini bar items were ranked as the least enticing offer.

Asking travellers what they most desired when booking a hotel stay, 29% of respondents said a free room upgrade while staying with a trusted hotel brand influences 20% of travellers to book. Travellers also sought dining or beverage credits and looked for free wifi options. Only 3% would be tempted by free mini bar items.

Emma Fraser, Group Marketing Director of TFE Hotels says she also looks for an upgraded room over other inclusions when she books a holiday. “A free upgrade to a more superior room means there’s generally more space, making my stay more comfortable and usually offers better views. An upgrade is always a nice touch and adds to a memorable experience, all at no extra cost.”

There are numerous ways to score a premium room without having to pay for the upgrade. However, it requires a mix of skill, emotional intelligence and a considerable amount of luck. For any traveller staying at a hotel with their sights set on a room with a view, here is some advice to consider from TFE Hotels, the ‘Ambassadors of Great Weekends’:

1. Book during the low season

Being smart about the date, time and room you purchase can entitle you to an upgrade, without doing any extra work. Choose to book a room during the off-peak season when rooms are likely to be available. Hotels are often fully booked over weekends; especially when there’s a big event or concert in town, so stick to off-peak dates.

Arrive late in the afternoon – between 3pm and 5pm is ideal - when Reception Teams will have a better idea of what rooms are likely to stay empty overnight. As a result, you may just be bumped up to a more superior room.

Try this line: “I’m so glad to get away for the weekend – hopefully everyone else hasn’t had the same idea. Are you very busy at the moment?”

2. Use your manners

Manners accompanied with a smile can go a long way to make someone feel happy to help. Greet hotel team members as soon as you arrive and use your charm to stand out from other guests. Hotel Receptionists deal with travellers on a day-to-day basis so being that ‘one’ person who made their day, with a compliment or witty line, could earn you some brownie points.

3. Join a loyalty programme

Flattery doesn’t always get you far, sometimes it comes down to customer status. Most hotels offer benefits for loyal customers. Joining a hotel’s loyalty program and e-news database, depending on the status you have attained, may entitle you to a room upgrade.

When signing-up to TFE Hotel’s eclub, subscribers instantly receive 10% off their stay and will also receive updates on prize giveaways and upcoming sales.

4. Advocate your special occasion

Drop a special occasion such as an ‘engagement’ or a ‘birthday’ into the conversation. But don’t just blurt it out of nowhere; casually talk about it mid-chat. This way hotel teams will feel you are a genuine customer and be more inclined to go above and beyond to make sure you have a special stay. Hotel Teams always want you to enjoy your stay so you can tell others about your positive experience via word of mouth or an online review.

“It’s our first weekend away together without the kids in five years – we’re really excited to be here, especially as it’s our tenth wedding anniversary. We are especially looking forward to our stay.”

5. Be a frequent visitor and review your stay

Sometimes it’s simply a case of who you know. The more times you stay at a hotel the more familiar you will become to hotel receptionists. Your details are often stored in the system too – so they can tell when you last visited.

To make sure you are acknowledged as a frequent stayer, be friendly and get to know one or two receptionists or better yet the hotel manager, so you are recognised on your return.

Let them know about how great the stay was and that you will be back. And most importantly - write a review!

Leaving a ‘happy guest’ review on the likes of Trip Advisor, is one of the best ways to ensure you become known to a hotel team and it also spreads positive feedback to other potential guests. You scratch their back and they’ll scratch yours.

“It’s great to be back. Am I in my usual room or is there something larger available?”

**Ends**

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