How to Get an Upgrade at Any Hotel

If you’re planning on doing a lot of travelling over the summer, it’s to your benefit to be savvy about hotel, airline, and transportation upgrades. There are many deals and special offers to take advantage of, many of which may not be clearly advertised.

We’ve listed our best tips to secure an upgrade at any hotel – whether it’s at a boutique establishment or part of a large hotel chain.

Simply ask, and you shall receive: Small perks such as having a bigger room on a higher floor can make your stay that much more enjoyable. As well, you can ask for a room with a nicer view that has more windows. If you are afraid that noise will keep you up at night, ask to placed in a room that is farther from the elevators or on a different level than the pool, for example.

Strategize your stay: Scope out deals for hotels the weeks before and after major holidays and during non-peak periods– a lull in business might mean hotels are keen on selling off their rooms at a reduced price.

Do your homework: There are many sites and mobile apps dedicated to advertising cheap rates for hotels all over the world. This can be especially useful for last-minute travellers or those planning where to stay while on the go. Popular sites include: Travelocity.ca, Trivago.ca, and Hotwire.com. Our favourite Apple apps are Hotels Everywhere and Hotel Choose. For Android devices we recommend Hotel Finder and HotelsByMe Hotel Reservations.

Sign up to reap the benefits: Many hotels offer loyalty programs that reward frequent guests with free accommodations, discounted meals at restaurants and free spa or salon services. Hotels that do not provide complimentary wireless internet might also offer Wi-Fi free of charge or at a reduced price to members. Fees for breakfast, early check-in and late checkout and delivery of newspapers can also be waived for return clients.

Travel together to save together: Hotels offer discounted rates for multiple rooms booked at the same time. At the time of booking, you can negotiate a discounted rate for breakfast or parking.

At Willowdale Hotel North York, your loyalty pays off! When you book a stay at the hotel, you become a valued member of our Mary-am Rewards program. You can earn and collect points anytime and anywhere, leading to worthwhile and significant savings.