Sandwich trick upgrades possible for MGM Grand?

[adamk]

My buddy and I currently have an Executive Queen Suite booked at the end of May (weekend after MDW) and, having never tried the sandwich trick in my past adventures in Las Vegas, figured it would be worth a shot.

Only problem is, is I don't think there are any room upgrades possible (beyond some stupidly huge suite; fat chance at that) beyond a higher floor.

Any idea what kind of upgrades would be possible? Is it just rooms, or is there possibility of food/beverage comps or free spa/gym passes, etc?

[SelfMade]

When you're at that level there's not much upward movement available.

Doesn't hurt to try though. I'd just be nice at check in and do the sandwich. If they say they cna't do anything you can always ask for he possibility for a paid upgrade. Shouldn't be much at MGM, like $50/night.

[JustinG]

Just did it, got 6 free buffet passes (which ended up totaling $250), a free bottle of champagne sent to the room, and a mini refrigerator to use for the weekend. Just be specific with what you want. I already had a suite so they couldn't really upgrade my room. And also; we had a spa suite and complained about a few things, ended up paying an extra 300$ to upgrade to the skyline marquee suite. Was WELL worth it.

[tony67]

Thanks for the success story Justin. I tried it last year in June. I had the petite king room and asked for an upgrade. They said nothing was available. Maybe i was denied because I didn't have a 20 in my hand????

Anyways i let him know i was there celebrating my 1 year anniversary with my wife and they had champagne sent to our room, which we never got.( may not have heard the knock on the door. )

I am heading back in July and booked the executive king suite. Im wanna try the upgrade again, but i doubt i could get anything else.

Justin, how did you get the buffet passes? did you just ask straight out? We hit the buffet 3 times last year, wouldn't mind saving some money this year on it.

[JustinG]

I always have the money out when i ask and i hand it over to them. He said since we already had a suite there wasn't much to upgrade to so i asked for buffet passes, the bottle of champagne, and a mini fridge to use for the weekend. And it was actually kind of a hassle to get the champagne we had to call down like 2-3 times before they actually sent it up.

[tony67]

cool man I'm gonna give it a shot on my next trip. Thanks for the info.

[kman90]

This probably works better at the front desk vs. MGM's airport check in desk...I've learned that the hard way.

[JohnPayne]

Just did it, got 6 free buffet passes (which ended up totaling $250), a free bottle of champagne sent to the room, and a mini refrigerator to use for the weekend. Just be specific with what you want. I already had a suite so they couldn't really upgrade my room. And also; we had a spa suite and complained about a few things, ended up paying an extra 300$ to upgrade to the skyline marquee suite. Was WELL worth it.

Sounds awesome. So it's definitely worth a try I guess.

[ERich]

This probably works better at the front desk vs. MGM's airport check in desk...I've learned that the hard way.

no worries about that anymore, MGM closed their airport check in desk a few months ago!

[Godzuki]

Just be specific with what you want.

This.

Otherwise your upgrade ends up being a room closer to the elevator and a complimentary Gideon bible.

[zed65]

Here's what I'd do:

Go to the check in counter, and greet the clerk. give her your ID and credit card, but not your $. When she looks you up in your computer, confirm the room with her and ask what room options they have that are better. Hold you $50 in your hand on the counter so she can see it. Tell her you're interested in an upgrade if its possible and that you'll give her / him a nice tip if she can make it work.

[zed65]

Here's what I'd do:

Go to the check in counter, and greet the clerk. give her your ID and credit card, but not your $. When she looks you up in your computer, confirm the room with her and ask what room options they have that are better. Hold you $50 in your hand on the counter so she can see it. Tell her you're interested in an upgrade if its possible and that you'll give her / him a nice tip if she can make it work.

[tony67]

Is this not bribery? lol Do they pocket that money or include it in the bill?

[chrisbru]

Is this not bribery? lol Do they pocket that money or include it in the bill?

No, its tipping. That's why you hand the money to them right at the start, rather than as a "if you get me this, then I'll tip you." If they feel they didn't earn the tip (by not finding any upgrades) 9/10 give it back to you.

This is an accepted practice in Vegas. There are always unused rooms, and everyone benefits... The customer, because they get a better room than they had planned on; the desk clerk, by making some extra money; and the hotel, by making it more likely you will return to stay with their hotel on the next visit.

[HeySuburbia]

No, its tipping. That's why you hand the money to them right at the start, rather than as a "if you get me this, then I'll tip you." If they feel they didn't earn the tip (by not finding any upgrades) 9/10 give it back to you.

This is an accepted practice in Vegas. There are always unused rooms, and everyone benefits... The customer, because they get a better room than they had planned on; the desk clerk, by making some extra money; and the hotel, by making it more likely you will return to stay with their hotel on the next visit.

Yeah, this. Any time they can't help you they'll hand the money back anyway, so you might as well just hand it to them when you hand them your license and credit card. As other people have said too, it definitely helps to know what you want ahead of time.