How to Get Hotel Upgrades: Practical Tips That Actually Work

January 5, 2026By maverickbirdPosted in Top Experiences, Travel Extras, Travel Tips

Hotel upgrades are one of those travel perks that feel mysterious from the outside. Sometimes you book the cheapest room and end up with a better view or more space, while other times even polite requests go nowhere. The truth is, hotel upgrades aren’t random as they’re usually the result of a few predictable factors that travellers can influence with the right strategy.

Whether you stay at hotels a few times a year or travel frequently, there are several reliable ways to improve your chances of getting upgraded. From timing and booking strategy to loyalty status and credit card benefits, here’s how to stack the odds in your favour and enjoy better hotel rooms on your next vacation without paying more.

What a “Hotel Room Upgrade” Really Means

Before chasing upgrades, it helps to set expectations. In most cases, an upgrade doesn’t mean jumping from a basic room to a massive suite. More often, it’s a move to a better view, a higher floor, a larger room layout, or a junior suite. Think incremental improvements. True suite upgrades do happen, but they depend heavily on availability, occupancy, and your relationship with the hotel or brand.

Hotels use upgrades as a way to reward loyalty, manage inventory, and improve guest satisfaction. If a better room would otherwise go unsold, upgrading a guest who’s likely to appreciate it is a win for the property. But hotel upgrades are far from guaranteed, and should always be treated as a nice win if you end up receiving one.

Timing Your Stay Can Make a Big Difference

One of the simplest ways to increase your chances of an upgrade is by choosing the right dates. Hotels are far more generous when occupancy is lower. Midweek stays, shoulder seasons, and non-holiday periods are your best bet. If the hotel is full, there’s nothing to upgrade you into.

Arriving later in the day can also help. By the time you check in, the hotel has a clearer picture of which rooms are still available. Early arrivals often get assigned whatever is ready, while later arrivals benefit from last-minute inventory adjustments.

Book Directly With the Hotel

Booking directly through the hotel’s own website is another underrated factor. Direct bookings generally cost the hotel less than third-party reservations, which makes them more willing to offer flexibility and perks.

Many hotel loyalty benefits, including upgrades, are only guaranteed or prioritized when you book directly. If upgrades matter to you, avoid online travel agencies whenever possible, even if the price looks similar.

Ask Politely (and Know When to Ask)

This one sounds obvious, but it still matters: politely asking for an upgrade works more often than people think. The key is how and when you ask. Front desk agents have limited flexibility, and a friendly, respectful approach goes a long way.

A simple line like, “If there are any complimentary upgrades available today, I’d really appreciate it,” is usually better than demanding something specific. Checking in during quieter periods and being flexible about room types also helps. While there are no guarantees, asking ensures you won’t miss out on an upgrade that might otherwise go unused.

Benefit From Hotel Loyalty Program Status

Hotel loyalty status significantly improves your odds of getting upgraded. Most major hotel programs explicitly list complimentary upgrades as a benefit for mid- and top-tier members, subject to availability.

Even a lower-tier level of status can help. Hotels often have upgrade hierarchies, and status holders are considered first when better rooms are available. Over time, consistent loyalty to one or two hotel brands increases recognition and upgrade frequency.

This is where credit cards become a powerful shortcut. Many travel-focused credit cards, including several of the best hotel credit cards in Canada, automatically grant elite status in hotel loyalty programs or provide elite night credits that count toward earning that status. This allows travellers to enjoy upgrade eligibility without needing dozens of nights per year.

For example, holding a credit card that confers entry-level or mid-tier hotel status can make you eligible for preferred rooms, better views, or late checkout, and sometimes even suite upgrades when availability allows. While top-tier upgrades are usually reserved for higher-status members, credit card–granted status still meaningfully improves your position compared to having no status at all.

Brand Loyalty: The Value of Staying With One Hotel Loyalty Program

Spreading your stays across many hotel brands might seem flexible, but it reduces your upgrade odds. Hotels reward repeat customers. Even if you’re not staying frequently, concentrating your stays with one brand increases recognition and upgrade potential.

Over time, the system works in your favour. Loyalty within a hotel program will help you work towards status and even receive points for your stays, which can be used to receive free stays.

If you are frequenting the same property, staff begin to see your name more often, your status improves, and upgrades become more common, even on shorter or cheaper stays.

Use Special Occasions Strategically

Hotels are far more likely to offer upgrades when there’s a clear reason to do so. Celebrations like anniversaries, birthdays, or honeymoons don’t guarantee an upgrade, but they can help, especially if mentioned politely in advance or at check-in.

This works best when paired with loyalty status or direct bookings. Hotels want to create positive experiences, and special occasions give them an opportunity to do so in a memorable way.

Hotel Upgrades Aren’t That Out Of Reach As You Think

Hotel upgrades don’t require insider connections or special treatment, just a bit of strategy and consistency. By understanding how hotels allocate upgrades and using tools like loyalty status and credit card benefits, you can significantly improve your chances of enjoying better rooms without paying more.

Even with perfect timing, loyalty status, and polite requests, upgrades are never guaranteed. Occupancy, room maintenance, and operational constraints all play a role. The goal isn’t to expect an upgrade every time; it’s to consistently improve your odds.

The travellers who get upgraded most often aren’t lucky; they’re systematic. They book direct, stay loyal, hold the right credit cards, and choose their dates carefully. Over time, these small advantages add up.

For the average traveller, credit cards that grant hotel loyalty status are one of the easiest ways to get into the upgrade conversation. Combine that with smart booking habits and polite communication, and you’ll find that better rooms aren’t as out of reach as they once seemed.

Photo by Sara Dubler on Unsplash

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