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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

To request an upgrade?

22 replies

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 19:29

I have said I would treat my cousin to an overnight spa stay next week. Have had problems getting through to reservations, including an online chat where I ended up chatting to myself - the member of staff I was chatting to just disappeared!
Went to book online, having confirmed dates just now with my cousin - and having tried several times, have phoned them, to be told that they don't have any standard twin rooms available. I could upgrade to a club twin room - I think you get slippers - but I have just emailed them and asked if they can give me that room for the same price. What do you think my chances are?
Anything I can say to persuade them?

OP posts:

VodkaValiumLattePlease · 10/08/2015 19:33

I highly doubt it

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 19:34

Oh why? They get to fill the room is my reasoning - surely better than an empty room? I watch The Hotel Inspector and I know these things.

OP posts:

WeAreEternal · 10/08/2015 19:37

I would say your chances are slim to none.

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 19:37

Oh well I tight it was worth a try!

OP posts:

Binkybix · 10/08/2015 19:38

You never know your luck. Worth a try. My DH tries things like this sometimes and had a surprisingly high success rate.

MoralityPlay · 10/08/2015 19:39

Of course it is worth a try. I would have asked too. Good luck.

ChristmasZombie · 10/08/2015 19:39

Definitely worth a try, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

PurpleSwift · 10/08/2015 19:40

I'm not sure you have a leg to stand on really.
You could always try but it seems to me they aren't short of customers and probably wouldn't have trouble otherwise selling the room at it's normal rate.

VodkaValiumLattePlease · 10/08/2015 19:41

How far in advance are you booking?

PrettyObvious · 10/08/2015 19:56

Are you booking directly with the hotel. Have you tried other sites like Trivado, Momodo or Destinia?

duffcake · 10/08/2015 20:01

I'd write an email to the reservations manager.

You were saddened and disappointed with your booking experience, both using the online chat and attempting to 'phone and would welcome their comments.

Bet you a alcoholic free cocktail it works.

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 20:04

Thanks I have emailed guest relations, I have found out that an upgrade is £15 but I don't really feel like paying that for a pair of slippers. It also says wine and treats - am guessing a mini bottle of wine and a bag of pork scratchings. We shall see!i
I should have learned because I stayed in a hotel on Thursday and had to pay a tenner more than I wanted because I left it late!
This wasn't my fault though, honest!

OP posts:

TwinkieTwinkle · 10/08/2015 20:06

I watch The Hotel Inspector and I know these things

Sorry op but this made me

In answer to your post though, there's no harm in trying!

trufflehunterthebadger · 10/08/2015 20:06

Do not ask. If you ask you most definitely won't get.

I used to be a duty manager in a 5* hotel with the power to upgrade people at my desire so I definitely know these things ! If you had asked me for an upgrade it would be a guarantee that you did not get one, even if you were the onky people in house !

Binkybix · 10/08/2015 20:21

To be fair truffle I've just asked a couple of times for no particular, including a relatively fancy place, and have been upgraded.

If it's discretionary then worth a go surely?

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 20:51

But how else would we get an upgrade if I don't request it? It is only because the room I want isn't available and I hadn't budgeted to spend more!
Anyway rid asked for now.
In all the times I have visited this hotel I have never actually met a manager so I don't know why they would upgrade me for nothing.
Twinkle i am glad I made you laugh even though I am quietly crying inside < look!

OP posts:

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 20:54

Rid = it is
Thanks for all the advice.
Truffle, out of interest - when would you upgrade someone then? Did you do a certain number of people every day? If you fancied them? What were your criteria? Sounds a bit shitty to say you would never give an upgrade if people requested one.

OP posts:

PrettyObvious · 10/08/2015 21:28

Over the past 12 years or so I have spent about 85% of my working time living in hotels. These ranged from a "flea pit" to 5*.
Rule 1, never just book via the hotel's own website. They do sometimes have special offers, but mostly not.
Rule 2, always look at at lots of comparison sites, you can then see who prefers whom in the booking stakes.
Rule 3, if you stay somewhere a lot, find out about long-term rates or rates that only apply for the company you work for.
For a one-off trip, comparison sites are your friend.

CalleighDoodle · 10/08/2015 21:35

i think you get slippers

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 10/08/2015 21:54

Snot funny, don't laugh at meeeeee.

OP posts:

Original poster

Flossyfloof · 11/08/2015 21:04

Well an update for those who so kindly contributed to this yesterday.
I emailed asking for upgrade, telling them it is a birthday celebration (true) and that if they can do that for me it means they fill a room which they would not otherwise.
I had a reply saying that if there are no twin rooms online that is that and that an upgrade is £40. Seems a bit steep so I phoned my cousin to say we would have to go another time.
After that I had an email saying that it was the last chance to book one of these packages, so I had a quick look online - only to find that there was a twin room and that in fact, if I had wanted to upgrade, the cost would be £15.
I couldn't book online using the iPad so I phoned them. Instead of cheerily saying they would take the booking over the phone they told me to use a laptop.
I have booked but honestly feel at this is pretty poor service and feel very messed around.
Anyway - sure we will have a lovely time. I still want to know why the person who was a manager would not upgrade someone who asked on principle! Please come back and tell me!

OP posts:

MrsCs · 11/08/2015 21:10

Even if they had experienced bad service truffle? Seems a poor attitude

Flip