Offered the $20 sandwich. 1 box of chocolates. We love the Mirage and its a real shame to hear you did not have a good experience. Mangers would much rather fill the suites with already paying guests than to have suites and club level going unoccupied or having to discount suites bc that just makes the hotel look bad. Bellagio is one of the most popular hotels on The Strip for a reason it has everything you could want in a vacation. I had my preferred person picked out, since they let you choose who to line up in front of. If they can't upgrade your room (they usually will), they'll give you spa passes or drinks to your room or late checkout or something worth more than $20. Good luck, email me at lacollins529@excite.com if you have any further questions. Thats the only time Ive ever received anything beyond a room upgrade though. For $100 per night I can upgrade you to [I forgot the room type]. Thats a fantastic upgrade, we have only ever received Room Upgrades not dining comps, maybe that is something to do with getting the VIP Clerk? Many on social media espouse the effectiveness of the $20 sandwich trick. If you are polite, humble, and not expectant then it cant hurt to ask for specifics, assuming you are being realistic, you are not going to get several levels of upgrade. and we are booked into a "Grand King" room. Hi, is this wise to try 20 usd trick in Vegas during early 2017 trip? ), Rialto suite Venetian or Bella Suite Palazzo, Superbowl - Big Game 2013 Parties and Info, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino. Agent: I probably shouldnt do this, but Ill give you this upgrade because I like you. I gave her my ID, cc, and a $20 bill in the middle. Always important to remember your manners. We are returning to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Just by asking nicely and being a decent human being about it. It removes the Awkwardness of them handing back the cash if they cannot help. Does the $20 trick work at Mandalay Bay? - idswater.com Its an accepted way of doing things, both you and the clerks know this, as does the management. Helpful information: Where is a low fee ATM? Stay connected with the latest travel, aviation, and credit card news. Your chances of a room upgrade vary with the hotel and the clerk who serves you. When I check into a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Ivan Y- As Fog Horn Leg Horn used to say, "You probably think a Mexican boarder pays rent.". And if so inclined would provide you with a free room upgrade. The gist of the trick is to sandwich a $20 bill between your ID and credit card when checking in as a tip for the check-in agent to get you a better room. On the flip side I spend heavily during my stay on Food and beverage primarily within the MGM group of hotels not that many others don't do the same thing Best value? Planet Hollywood Westgate Tower - now Hilton Elara, US holiday dates 2012 (including spring break? I don't get it. The only way it is funnier is if you actually got downgraded. There is also the added notion from the hotels perspective that guests that save on one aspect usually spend heavier on others. As such we stick to the traditional $20, if the clerk is unusually helpful, nice, or just fun, we may give an additional tip just for that. Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Las Vegas Right Now, Solo Traveler Looking for Cool Group to Hang With in May, Old Man Trip Report April 24-28..no wait the 29th, Las Vegas Airport Passport control wait times. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Yes, steps are below! Not that $60 gets you far either, but hopefully it gets you further. So the amount of money one offers is typically going into the toilet essentially at MGM group properties My first thought at seeing the headline was that Ben better be careful not to catch anything from a $20 trick. To be honest with you, it's probably the best use of $20 you can get in Vegas. David Copperfield: lawsuit reveals secret of disappearing magic trick The so-called "grand bargain" bill will ultimately raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, implement a guaranteed paid family and medical leave program, and establishes a permanent sales . They said they did not have any better rooms available and simply kept the money. Also, you can tell them that upgrade isn't good enough and they'll give you the tip back proactively. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form. Don't be demanding. hah! Coupons! We have had success at Caesars before, moving up a couple of tiers and into the fancier towers on a high floor. While the $20 Trick might seem like a great deal, there are some things to consider before making the attempt. Or is this still 20? Buffet recommendations for lobster night? Yes. one complaint though was it was very noisy, i dunno if that's just MGM or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? in Vegas, the few hotel interactions I remember, was this nice man who was a waiter at NYNY. (and no construction) I have also encountered success with the $20 at Bally's and the Stratosphere. How to Maximize the Hyatt-MGM Partnership - NerdWallet If it's a small upgrade, or room selection with a category, that's probably within the desk agent's power and discretion. She worked very hard to find us an upgrade and I was willing to let her keep the tip, but she gave it back and said she didnt feel she helped me and refused the tip. front desk agents have a lot of leeway in choosing your room (so comparisons to upgrading on a flight don't really work here) - i've given clerks more like 30 euros, and said i would appreciate anything they can do to make my stay more special - sometimes they say with a smile that i've already been upgraded (and make sure i take my money back), sometimes they take the money and i get a front desk agents have a lot of leeway in choosing your room (so comparisons to upgrading on a flight don't really work here) - i've given clerks more like 30 euros, and said i would appreciate anything they can do to make my stay more special - sometimes they say with a smile that i've already been upgraded (and make sure i take my money back), sometimes they take the money and i get a better room than last time, but nothing specific is said - remarks re: management getting pissed off about this don't really obtain here, since again, part of a front desk clerk's job is to assign rooms and they have a lot of discretion. The $20 trick is a technique in which you slip a twenty-dollar bill into a hotel room folio (the folder with your summary of charges) along with your credit card when checking into a hotel. @Taylor - If it's a big upgrade, they often have to check with their manager on duty and get it approved. hahaha You have no reason to keep your mouth shut now. So have things changed? Fresh towels, chocolates, ocean views and room upgrades, go along way, when you travel. Read how to do the $20 Trick so you have the best chance of success. I know, because I speak from Experience. I always make a comment about the people before me who demanded better service and telling the agent "we always get (blank). for $60 you can get a real trick into your room. I wanted the Hollywood Suite for a specific reason, so that is what I asked for. Thank youuuuuu. She eventually got us a high floor mountain view in the tower in the back - not exactly the upgrade I was looking for - possibly not an upgrade at all - except when you're able to obtain an obvious great upgrade, there's no guarantee your $20 did anything - like in this case - so, as befits Vegas, it's always a bit of a gamble. You took it with the best attitude too :-). Regarding your story, I think you did it all wrong, you shouldn't be asking if they want it paid official or unofficial way and making that sound like something slightly illegal, also you seemed Hi, is this wise to try 20 usd trick in Vegas during early 2017 trip? It's still a upgrade from standard rooms !! Its very common and most front desk people have a lot of leeway to upgrade people. Save your money. Federal law has established a maximum tip credit of $5.12, which means tipped employees can earn an hourly wage as low as $2.13. I asked the check-in lady if she had any complimentary upgrades available for my wifes birthday. Improving the odds of getting a better available room or suite isn't. We had just returned from LA, after the bus tour. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-33723', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Vegas on November 12th and I was wondering if the $20 trick really works. ;-). Dining (UPDATED 2017) - Las Vegas Dining 101 - all dining needs in 1 resource, Dining: Dinner & breakfast buffets? Not sure what shenanigans youre really referring to or why thatd be a reason not to visit Las Vegas.". MGM Grand is a great resort for those who want to be in the action. READ ALSO: Is it easier to lose weight by exercising or eating less? I think we made the right choice, at least for this trip. The $20 trick is a great way to get free upgraded rooms, complimentary food and drink, and other perks. we are staying at Caesars Palace and we booked a pretty good room already. But we would have loved it more without the Resort Fees! Invite and play with your friends. I'm holding the 1% chance back for slow weekdays when the occupancy rate drops below 60%. And for the people screaming about morals, get off your soap box and go fight the battle on drugs, Ponzi schemes or any of the actual ILLEGAL things in the world. She got me a nice room on a high floor. I don't know how you can hahaha You suck. The $20 trick is executed by discreetly passing a $20 bill to the check-in employee sandwiched between your ID and credit card while simultaneously asking for a complimentary room upgrade. Going for our anniversary and hotel hopping for the first time in our 20 or so visits to Las Vegas. Noise won't bother me as long as the room is clean and doesn't smell. I actually didnt think of trying for an upgrade until she asked me if I had a preferred room type or if I cared if I were on a high floor or low floor. Assuming you have earned the comps through play, they will be really eager to keep you happy and gambling! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Ireland. Our users suggest that its unreliable! IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Review: Worth Will Americans New York To Doha Route Survive? $20 got us dessert facing to city facing on 28th floor. High end to budget; Outlet Malls; Liquor stores, Shows: When, where and how to buy tickets? How? We are going in September for my 50th birthday. Yes and no. on the Mallicon Yeah, team alexander $60 is crazy money. @ Barry -- Highly doubt it. I did this back in 2010 at The Hotel at Mandalay Bay (the Delano now) and they offered me a corner suite for no extra cost. I was once given a suite with 3 bathrooms (one with a bidet), sauna, an over sized shower with three shower heads, living room with fireplace , dining room, full bar, and jacuzzi over looking the Las Vegas strip. @snic: Considering the sheer number of rooms most of these hotels have, it really costs the hotels very little. Theres merit to both ways of doing things, and based on where you are its interesting to observe how results differ. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. And I had paid $30 per day to upgrade to a room that goes for $20 more per day. Again assuming hotels are quiet and rooms available then they should hook you up, so as long as there are no big events or conferences on, then yeah midweek should be better. $20 Dollar Trick for Aria Las Vegas Hotel Room Upgrades - Front Desk Tip My husband has done it also for one of the shows we watched in Vegas, gave $20 to the usher, and we got great seats.. 5 rows back from the stage and center. The MGM Grand lawyer said Copperfield would have alerted stagehands if he noticed any problems along the way. Ben..dude! Vegetarian options, Dining: Special occasion/ celebration/ fine dining/ great views/ Sunday Brunch. Most of the time if you're just nice, smile, ask them how they are, etc.you know, just be a nice, normal, decent person.that gets you pretty far in life. Things have tightened up a bit since then but still bargins to be had. BTW, it didn't work at (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, and besides, we should just all be nicer to each other. Did you still have to pay resort fees? Transportation: Airport- International arrivals- how long is the arrival process? In Vegas it's the norm. What about touring the Grand Canyon from LV? I am one of those that doesn't consider room location (upper floor, near elevator, view, etc) an upgrade. When checking in to MGM Grand, simply slip the $20 bill to the desk attendant while asking if there are any complimentary upgrades available such as bigger rooms with a nicer view and then wait to see what they offer you in return. Tried the smooth version, but it was pretty akward as the $20 sat there between us the whole time we are discussing everything else. Clerk tried instead to offer a paid upgrade which I declined. In Nassau Bahamas, I was so charming to the nice lady check in clerk, that she gave us a nice partial ocean view room on an upper room, above the pool. If you received this room on a high floor with a strip view then it worked. The Trick originated in the form of a $20 sandwich. Any idea if this would work on Maui and the Hyatt for getting resort and/or parking fees waived? Put the $20 sandwiched between ID as suggested, clerk immediately put $20 back on counter (bad sign). Are you looking to save some money on your next Vegas trip? $20 - MGM Grand | Vegas Message Board People watching; 3. We tend to time our trips to quiet times (cheaper and quieter) and as such the trick almost always works, in one way or another. Asked for a comp. Smile, talk, let theme dom their thing. It is policy to simply accommodate the guests wishes based on availability. Your a dork man but you crack me up with some of your antiques, I mean that in a good way. This Trick, similar in nature to a Jedi Mind Trick, renders the clerk unable to resist upgrading your room to the best available at no extra cost. However, keep in mind that MGM Grand is also one of the busiest and most crowded hotels in Vegasespecially on weekendsso it might not be worth risking it if youre looking for peace and quiet during your stay. Yes, there are plenty of examples of this in the movies, but I doubt it happens that much in reality. $56.00 in resort fee's credited back The legendary $20 Dollar Trick. Birthday freebies! Would you fly an airline that lets flight attendants accept $20 to let passengers self-upgrade? This thread is to discuss the $20 Trick at MGM Grand. We all need to know to keep up with the hotels policies. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. LasVegasTrip Vallarta Trip. Does the $20 trick still work with comped rooms? Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. New York CityPASS Review Is The New York CityPASS Worth It In 2023? A Credit Cardand some form of ID. Jump Ahead What to Eat at Universal Studios, Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois Visitors Guide Basics. I am MLife Platinum (courtesy of Hyatt) which may have helped. I didn't even try the $20 trick last time I was in LV, the lady at the desk at the MGM grand had no interest in me as a guest whatsoever. 7 years ago Save We are returning to Vegas next week staying in MGM Grand for the first time.I wondered if the "$20 sandwich" trick works there. Does the $20 Trick work at Mirage? I just got back last night. All you need is a $20 bill, some confidence, and a little bit of luck. On check-in discretely put $20 between ID and Credit Card Ask the clerk for any "complimentary upgrades" Regarding your story, I think you did it all wrong, you shouldn't be asking if they want it paid official or unofficial way and making that sound like something slightly illegal, also you seemed to give too much money and you made it into an awkward situation altogether. How To Do The $20 Dollar Trick for Las Vegas Room Upgrades - Front Desk Tip Based on what our users have shared with us, the $20 Trick at MGM Grand works about 58% of the time, similar to its sister-property The Signature. Money saving tips! You catch more flys with honey than vinegar as they say! Not be in a hurry or fear you will report them.. And they tend to give me or my party a very nice upgrade just for being helpful and courteous. Essentially, when checking in to a Las Vegas Hotel you need 2 things. Did it work? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-72139246', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Las Vegas hotel, I almost always have specific room requests. We dont stay there anymore. The $20 to $100 trick definitely plays by the rule of YMMV. $60?!? It is also VERY important to prepare for this NOT to work. hahaha You have no reason to keep your mouth shut now. Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas is an iconic hotel and casino filled with glitz and glamour, perfect for a celebrity-like vacation on the famous Las Vegas Strip. Another time, we booked into the Fairmont, I got tanked, drank all the booze in the hotel mini bar, and when we checked out the next day, I innocently assured the hotel clerk, nice lady, that I thought it was complimentary? Parking; Walking tours; Arts District, Leisure: Pools; Pool Parties; which hotel? Golden Nugget Las Vegas Hotel Room Upgrades & Discounts - Front Desk Tip Would you patronize a movie theater in which all you have to do to get to the front of a long line is give an employee $20? Helpful information: SIM Card and SIM Phones at LAS airport, Helpful information: ESTA visa waiver applications, Online USA Customs form for foreign visitors, Touring the Grand Canyon - West Rim and South Rim - a tour guide's comments - 2017. And service was good too.this is what happened. How do you do the $20 trick at MGM Grand? Massachusetts has passed legislation to provide paid family and medical leave and make changes to state wage and hour provisions. @Pavel: Agreed, which is why its typically specifically called the Las Vegas $20 Trick. I booked via priceline a pretty good price, knowing they have free parking is a plus to keep in mind as well. Really it's pretty simple. 20 Dollar Trick in Vegas: Does it Still Work - Vegas Food & Fun Just being kind, respectful, and genuine, while others act like typical asshole tourist pricks, makes the magic happen. Its actually sometimes more likely on comped rooms! $20 Trick at MGM Grand & Free Hotel Upgrades In 2023 Based on what our users have shared with us, the $20 Trick at MGM Grand works about 58% of the time, similar to its sister-property The Signature. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. It is also a place where everyone wants an upgrade to live like a high roller. We always suggest people book at least the room they want and then just use the trick to get even better, we dont risk booking the most basic rooms and hoping for an upgrade as if it fails you can be stuck with no view in a tiny boxroom. Complained following day and was switched to similar room but quieter location. We had just returned from LA, after the bus tour. Sounds to me like yet another reason to avoid LV, as if I needed one. Visitor 'gifts' will roughly be calculated based on factors including how much you bet, how long for or how frequently, how much you lose, and what games you play. Naturally, the Clerks are the ones checkingpeople in and they are naturallygoing to reward those who will tip them highly. As we said, these are people, just like youwho would you be more likely to give an upgrade to? Meet the crew at MGM Grand Las Vegas! Lets find out. Great insight, we totally agree! If you see the same check-in agent and she isn't busy you may want to pay him/her a visit and ask if there are any perks associated with your room. Often Yes. Sometimes using these trick can get you other things than just room upgrades (drink coupons, resort credit, etc). Lets call it travel insurance, while others wait in line for their favorite eggs done right, or the nicest piece of fish, i get served first. What we dont have is that View, a High Floor at the Paris is a mindblower! And what room did you book? She recommended I keep the view if wed never experienced it before. $20 Dollar Trick for Room Upgrades at Las Vegas Hotels in 2023 The $20 trick is a technique in which you slip a twenty-dollar bill into a hotel room folio (the folder with your summary of charges) along with your credit card when checking into a hotel. They also offered me a penthouse suite for an extra $100 a night. Yes. When I checked into MGM grand a few days ago I tried and she handed it back to me saying they are at limited capacity and had nothing available. Arrived at hotel around noon, went to check in and when asked for ID and Credit Card, I stuck $20 in between and asked if there was any complimentary upgrades, clerk said let me look at what's available. My wife asked me why I'm laughing out loud. Thanks for feeding back, although this is not what we like to hear at all! Your story of the trick is just too funny. (and no construction) I have also encountered success with the $20 at Bally's and the Stratosphere. I know with my CET app, if I have a reservation booked it will still allow me to see current discounted/comped rates but won't let me book at said discounted rate if the dates overlap. Tipping to get upgraded room - does it work? - Las Vegas Forum As Gary stated you have to know somewhat in advance what you are after and then the right individual can even exceed your expectations Throughout the Carribean, I tip often, and with a smile. Its a very common and accepted practice in Las Vegas and helps the Hotel out in a number of ways. Thought I'd test the waters here. It is likely the hotel is really full and there is just nothing they can do. When we checked in this past January for 4 nights I'd already booked a King Executive Suite and gotten a pretty good rate from an offer they'd emailed me (a few weeks after I'd booked) so when I checked in I wasn't sure what I'd get when I slipped the $20!