Tips for getting upgraded?

daveandchrissy · 06-06-2008

Hello everyone. We haven't been on here in a while due to very crazy times getting ready for the honeymoon, as I am sure some of you are well aware of...lol.. We are going to be staying at the RIU Palace Rivera Maya from june 23rd to the 29th. I have heard people say that they e-mail the hotel a week or two prior to going there asking for a possable upgrade. We are both new to the travel world and are not sure where to send the e-mail, and really not even sure what to say or ask for..lol...that is why we are asking for tips from you seasoned travelers. Thanks for any info, Dave and Chrissy

purpleprincesTX · 06-06-2008

Hi there and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials

What I have always done in the past if the trip was for our anniversary, etc, is that I would get on the official hotel website and find the "contact us" link and send an email telling them of the special occasion. Every time they have left us a treat or given a special ammenity,etc.

I am sure your travel agent marked this booking for you as a honeymoon so y'all could get any and all specail treatments.

But it would not hurt for you to email them and ask for the best possible view, or most private/quiet are of the resort....whatever it is that you are looking for. It is worth a shot anyway. Throughout our travels in Mexico, we have found them to be very accomodating for these type of special occasions.

What I did for our upcoming trip for our 10th anniversary (we are staying at the RPDC) was this-- we booked with our TA through Funjet into the only available suite type they had on the website, which was their "lowest", the Junior Suite.

Well I called them the other day, told them it was our 10th anniversary and what would the procedure be for upgrading to a room with a better view. They looked to see what was available on those dates and then did it over the phone for $80 for our 4 night stay

I have seen that level suite before on funjet and it was always $300-$400 more, so it really worked out for us! (well we haven't checked in yet.....Ha Ha)

I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon and trip to Paradise! Best Wishes.

Moxie · 06-06-2008

I've always found that being polite and overly gracious helps. I became friendly with a person at one of the resorts I frequented in Jamaica. She would say that people would e-mail her like they were entitled to an upgrade. Well, guess what, no upgrade for them. Sometimes upgrades really aren't available, and sometimes you just have to know how to talk your way into one.

actran · 06-06-2008

Last year at the Iberostar Grand I asked if an upgrade was possible and we were offered an Ocean View, I asked about an Ocean Front and it was an extra $100/night. It was my husband's 60th BD, so we decided to splurge.
This year I just sent them an email saying we were excited to be returning to celebrate our 29th anniversary. On check-in we were upgrade to an Ocean View. We couldn't afford to pay any extra, so we were happy with that. I know some people say they have gotten upgraded to an OF, but I don't know what the secret is

I think part of it may be timing and the hotel overbooking ROH rooms (aka:luck).

mbelec · 06-07-2008

From what I've read about this resort, it's popular with honeymooning couples, people going for special occasions and thus harder to get upgrades. However.

We'll be there June 10-20. We emailed in advance, telling them that it's our 20th anniversary, and asked for a room with a nice view (we booked reg. jr. suites, which will be fine if that's all we get), although I've read that the courtyard/fountainview rooms are nice. I also joined the Riu class card "club," which you can do on the Riu site. Told them our number (you can print out a provisional card) in our email. We mostly want a fountainview room on the first or second floor (read third floor has concrete balcony which you can't see out of), king bed (with mattress topper, which I've read makes it softer).

I haven't heard a reply, which is common, as they're often busy. Hope our request is logged somewhere when we check in.

I've also read that you should wait to check in until there are no crowds (they're stressed more then), see where they've put you, then politely and in a nice way, point to the map and ask if they have anything in that area (central area, oceanview, etc.). Wouldn't hurt at that time to mention that you're on your honeymoon.

Have fun!

matthelm · 06-12-2008

I am headed to the Grand, and I emailed them in advance. We have already booked an ocean front room, but are wanting these 'special' corner ocean front rooms with a jacuzzi tub on the balcony overlooking the beach. I emailed them and got a quick response...although it was the stock "upon availability at arrival" message.

Bottom line...it doesn't hurt any to ask. Most higher-end resorts have a dedicated concierge that handles all of that sort of thing.

06-06-2008	#1 (permalink)
daveandchrissy sandflea Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: northwest Indiana Posts: 8	Tips for getting upgraded? Hello everyone. We haven't been on here in a while due to very crazy times getting ready for the honeymoon, as I am sure some of you are well aware of...lol.. We are going to be staying at the RIU Palace Rivera Maya from june 23rd to the 29th. I have heard people say that they e-mail the hotel a week or two prior to going there asking for a possable upgrade. We are both new to the travel world and are not sure where to send the e-mail, and really not even sure what to say or ask for..lol...that is why we are asking for tips from you seasoned travelers. Thanks for any info, Dave and Chrissy

06-06-2008	#2 (permalink)
purpleprincesTX way into it Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: La Porte, TX Posts: 131	Hi there and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials What I have always done in the past if the trip was for our anniversary, etc, is that I would get on the official hotel website and find the "contact us" link and send an email telling them of the special occasion. Every time they have left us a treat or given a special ammenity,etc. I am sure your travel agent marked this booking for you as a honeymoon so y'all could get any and all specail treatments. But it would not hurt for you to email them and ask for the best possible view, or most private/quiet are of the resort....whatever it is that you are looking for. It is worth a shot anyway. Throughout our travels in Mexico, we have found them to be very accomodating for these type of special occasions. What I did for our upcoming trip for our 10th anniversary (we are staying at the RPDC) was this-- we booked with our TA through Funjet into the only available suite type they had on the website, which was their "lowest", the Junior Suite. Well I called them the other day, told them it was our 10th anniversary and what would the procedure be for upgrading to a room with a better view. They looked to see what was available on those dates and then did it over the phone for $80 for our 4 night stay I have seen that level suite before on funjet and it was always $300-$400 more, so it really worked out for us! (well we haven't checked in yet.....Ha Ha) I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon and trip to Paradise! Best Wishes.

06-06-2008	#3 (permalink)
Moxie ruined Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 81	I've always found that being polite and overly gracious helps. I became friendly with a person at one of the resorts I frequented in Jamaica. She would say that people would e-mail her like they were entitled to an upgrade. Well, guess what, no upgrade for them. Sometimes upgrades really aren't available, and sometimes you just have to know how to talk your way into one.

06-06-2008	#4 (permalink)
actran life=playa Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 874	Last year at the Iberostar Grand I asked if an upgrade was possible and we were offered an Ocean View, I asked about an Ocean Front and it was an extra $100/night. It was my husband's 60th BD, so we decided to splurge. This year I just sent them an email saying we were excited to be returning to celebrate our 29th anniversary. On check-in we were upgrade to an Ocean View. We couldn't afford to pay any extra, so we were happy with that. I know some people say they have gotten upgraded to an OF, but I don't know what the secret is I think part of it may be timing and the hotel overbooking ROH rooms (aka:luck).

06-07-2008	#5 (permalink)
mbelec into ruins Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 67	From what I've read about this resort, it's popular with honeymooning couples, people going for special occasions and thus harder to get upgrades. However. We'll be there June 10-20. We emailed in advance, telling them that it's our 20th anniversary, and asked for a room with a nice view (we booked reg. jr. suites, which will be fine if that's all we get), although I've read that the courtyard/fountainview rooms are nice. I also joined the Riu class card "club," which you can do on the Riu site. Told them our number (you can print out a provisional card) in our email. We mostly want a fountainview room on the first or second floor (read third floor has concrete balcony which you can't see out of), king bed (with mattress topper, which I've read makes it softer). I haven't heard a reply, which is common, as they're often busy. Hope our request is logged somewhere when we check in. I've also read that you should wait to check in until there are no crowds (they're stressed more then), see where they've put you, then politely and in a nice way, point to the map and ask if they have anything in that area (central area, oceanview, etc.). Wouldn't hurt at that time to mention that you're on your honeymoon. Have fun!

06-12-2008	#6 (permalink)
matthelm sandflea Join Date: May 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 5	I am headed to the Grand, and I emailed them in advance. We have already booked an ocean front room, but are wanting these 'special' corner ocean front rooms with a jacuzzi tub on the balcony overlooking the beach. I emailed them and got a quick response...although it was the stock "upon availability at arrival" message. Bottom line...it doesn't hurt any to ask. Most higher-end resorts have a dedicated concierge that handles all of that sort of thing.

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