Tipping for an Upgrade

Originally posted by Matty
Your comments sound like you have undergone Corporate Brainwashing. Trying to stop mere mortals on Holiday trying to gain that little something extra through a thoroughly explored loophole. But people like you want to finish it off for good, for what purpose....so the fat cats get fatter???

Normally these sort of comments come from people that have everything paid for on bumped up expense accounts. Never having to dip in to thier own pockets. Chill out fella, you might get a free upgrade to a suite oneday, but there again if you develope some "jobsworth" software, you won't because it will show on the computer [V]

A few points, if I may, and I shall post no more on this subject;

1. My initial comment was made in the spirit that "I'm surprised they don't have these systems".

2. My subsequent comment was made in the spirit of "as if".

3. On holiday I am a mere mortal.

4. I don't have a "bumped up" expense account.

5. It is my pocket into which I dip for any upgrades (though see point 7) and "that little extra".

6. I am fairly well chilled as it is.

7. I have, on occasion, been upgraded in hotels and it undoubtedly showed on the computer. No money changed hands.

8. Finally, I made no judgement about your post or the behaviour. I will say it's not something I would do, but it's a big old world, it takes all sorts, worse things happen at sea and so on.


Paul

Matty

I think you're being a tad over-sensitive in your reactions (using words like "claptrap" & "corporate brainwashing" to describe postings of fellow members doesn't exactly help your cause of not wanting to flame anyone) and I don't think that anyone's posting of their opinions here is akin to thinking you want to go out and assinate {sic} the Pope! There are quite a few of us here that've been to Vegas numerous times and aren't blind to the way that the place works.

You've had replies from a Casino Shift Manager who works in a Vegas Casino that tells you exactly how a clerk doing a free upgrade like this would be viewed by his hotel's Management and what would likely happen to the clerk. That's a real good example of being "straight from the horse's mouth". Of course, you don't have to believe it, or have any empathy for an employee that take the risk & suffer the consequences - but that's what could happen, and you're right, it's down to the employee to decide whether the risk is worth it for your $20.

Paul & Decker were simply expressing their surprise that anybody managing such a business wouldn't already have the management tools in place to monitor such a process, and that if there wasn't the Business Intelligence to monitor it, then some companies would have a good marketing opportunity.

My personal opinion is that I book into the room standard that I'm happy with/can afford and if I get a comp'd upgrade so much the better (ooh, much like booking a plane ticket) - I wouldn't offer extra as a bribe, but might leave a tip if a comp'd room was offered. To sum up - if you want to try it, go ahead and good luck to you.

(PS - Dave, congrats on another promotion mate [y] - what's that, 500 in the last 2 years now? :D)

Cheers

Michael

My understanding is that the reason this 'trick' works is that hotel check-in clerks have a certain amount of discretion as part of their job to give 'free upgrades' based on vacancy and other factors I couldn't even imagine. I think they can offer these upgrades if you just ask nicely, but I'm sure they're are plenty that are willing to take the $20. I really don't think so many clerks would be risking their jobs for a mere $20 if what they were doing was a fireable offense.

JMO.

[Decker]

Tree DA. Welcome to V-Flyer. If you read the thread you'll see that someone in a position of authority in a LV casino tells you that management would fire clerks for this.

Regards

I'm guessing that some people also buy "cheap DVD players" at the local pub. After all it wasn't their house that was burgled so who loses? And anyway the insurance pays.

I'll ignore that remark as it's verging on something slightly more than a little light flaming.


Well at least one thing we could all probably agree on, is that it would be a pretty uninteresting world if we all agreed on the same things and had the same ethics and beliefs.

So I'll still stick to my belief that $20 may get me a decent upgrade or a Strip View and continue to try it.

[Decker]

ah Matty it's all relative. Have you ever wondered about E-Bayers who advertise 1st class postal delivery then say "allow 7 days". I (being a cynic) assume this means they are shoplifting to order. As for your $20 trick - I genuinely believe you stand a chance of getting a decent upgrade - so go for it if you're happy to! No one here will judge you for it - they may say "I wouldn't do it myself" but as you say the joys of a pluralistic society.

And some of my friends buy DVD players in pubs.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by Matty
So I'll still stick to my belief that $20 may get me a decent upgrade or a Strip View and continue to try it.

I'm pretty sure your "belief" was never in question. Your attack on others on this board, however, was not necessary and out of order.

Originally posted by preiffer: Your attack on others on this board, however, was not necessary and out of order.

I made a point, I made an apology, I made a strong defence of what I feel on the subject. The thread may have become mildly heated as when I have an opinion I feel strongly about it.

But at no point would I ever describe anything I typed as an"..... attack on others on this board"

But as you are a moderator I will respect your descision that I did attack another member and that I was "out of order"[:#]

........................


...and Dave (Jetwet) to show I'm not that "Trolling" sort, I'm in Vegas in December and meeting up with a few other members from LVTalk, you are welcome to come along and I'll buy you a beer.
(Friday 15 Dec 7.30pm: The Orleans, Mardi Gras Bar)[8D]

Edit: to correct date

Originally posted by Matty
I'll ignore that remark as it's verging on something slightly more than a little light flaming.


Well at least one thing we could all probably agree on, is that it would be a pretty uninteresting world if we all agreed on the same things and had the same ethics and beliefs.

So I'll still stick to my belief that $20 may get me a decent upgrade or a Strip View and continue to try it.

And to resist any flaming, light or otherwise again, if that's your belief, than you're more than welcome to it.

Good luck for all that you seek - this thread doesn't have long to go before being locked down.

Cheers

Michael

[honey lamb]

...and Dave (Jetwet) to show I'm not that "Trolling" sort, I'm in Vegas in December and meeting up with a few other members from LVTalk, you are welcome to come along and I'll buy you a beer.
(Friday 13 Dec 7.30pm: The Orleans, Mardi Gras Bar)

Erm, 13 Dec is a Wednesday. I know! It's my birthday

Blimey - when you read some of the rants and arguments on other sites we are all pretty polite and civilised on here!! But I can see both points of view!!

I think as has been said we are all entitled to our own views and can disagree or agree with someone else as long as its not done in a rude or agressive way. When does disagreeing with someone become "flaming" anyway??

With regard to the tipping point - I checked this out with a friend of mine who is a Regional Manager for Hilton in the UK and he told me that at certain times their reception staff could use their "discretion" to provide upgraded rooms to customers - there were no set rules for this providing the rooms were avaialble.

I asked if "tipping" went on and he said he knew it did but that a "blind eye" was turned to it and provided the receptionist did not give upgrades when the rooms were needed then they would let it go!!

I guess it depends on the rules of the hotel and the policies therein!!

Were it my hotel, I think I would do some research into the spend patterns of guests who have been comp'd a room upgrade, in order to establish whether there is merit in the practice. As a non-owner my guess is that such research has been completed and it has been found to be beneficial to the hotel.
Therefore, a check-in clerk who accepts a bill proffered for an upgrade might be doing him/herself, the guest and the hotel a favour.

Originally posted by MarkJ

An excellent post, great to see another perspective on it.

(...and I sure agree that "heated" discusssions here are very tame compared to some other sites)

Been reading this thread with interest, last time I stayed at the Luxor, I was upgraded from a standard room to a tower junior suite upon arrival, no charge, no money changed hands and I didn't ask.
Why would that happen?

I have actually found something in Black & White!

Whilst reading a copy of "What's ON....The Guide" I found the following extract. What's On is a magazine that is freely available all over LV and more importantly something that is put in most major Las Vegas hotel rooms by the Hotels themselves!!!

In the section "Welcome to Las Vegas" under the tipping info this is what it says:

.........When you check into a hotel, the first person who greets you is the front desk clerk. It's amazing how you can get that great view room or special request granted much easier by remembering to tip them. Although it's their job to make your stay wonderful, it never hurts to say thank you.

Interpret that as you wish but to me that spells out that toking the clerk some $'s gets you more than someone who might not. If the tip wasn't offered first, how the heck can that statement be true???

So is tipping to get a high floor with strip view or a "special request", illegal, a firing offence....me thinks not. If you disagree, then please feel free to email the editor of the said mag' and get them to change their stance on this.


and "easygoinggeezer" you got a big upgrade and you never thought to "give the clerk a drink" ????[:0]

[preiffer]

My god - enough is enough, Matty, surely?

Please let's put this whole thread to bed now.



Off now to find some schoolkids in a playground to discuss life with. I have a feeling they'll be less petty...

Originally posted by preiffer
My god - enough is enough, Matty, surely?

Please let's put this whole thread to bed now.



Off now to find some schoolkids in a playground to discuss life with. I have a feeling they'll be less petty...

What?? Please feel free to post on this site, as long as it's an opinion shared with a moderator. Is that how it goes here??

I have actually come back to you with a written statement that this activity is actively encouraged and yet you shout me down. My last reply had no malice yet you still try and weild the heavy hand of moderation.

Do you have some inferiority complex that you have to shout down any post I make, as I noted you made a sarcasticly blunt reply in another thread. Your statement at the end of your post "Off now to find some schoolkids in a playground", yes you may find them less petty than me, but at least you will be conversing with people of your own age. Or will you moderate them too if you disagree with what they say???

[preiffer]

Originally posted by Matty
What?? Please feel free to post on this site, as long as it's an opinion shared with a moderator. Is that how it goes here??

I have actually come back to you with a written statement that this activity is actively encouraged and yet you shout me down. My last reply had no malice yet you still try and weild the heavy hand of moderation.

Do you have some inferiority complex that you have to shout down any post I make, as I noted you made a sarcasticly blunt reply in another thread. Your statement at the end of your post "Off now to find some schoolkids in a playground", yes you may find them less petty than me, but at least you will be conversing with people of your own age. Or will you moderate them too if you disagree with what they say???

Matty,

The "heavy hand of moderation" was/is due to the fact that what had become a relatively "personal" thread in terms of argument had finally started to calm down.

Threads can, and do, go on forever with "he said / she said" statements, and your last post did nothing but re-ignite any previous argument that had begun to disappear.

We do actively encourage all members to share their opinions - something which you have done repeatedly during the course of this thread, lately adding no further value. You have your opinion, others have theirs - all of these seem to have been aired already.


For reference, after taking the decision to attempt to discredit the OPINIONS of members of this forum on another site, are you really surprised that you've received a slightly less "warm welcome" with your comments since?

To quote someone even on that forum, where you've posted the same info:

Don't you think this subject has been beat to death? You have the same people with the same opinions every time it comes up. I think we already know where everyone stands.
Let it go and move on.

As I said above - enough is enough.

Originally posted by Decker


And some of my friends buy DVD players in pubs.

Cool - can you PM me the pubs in question - I may find my old car radio.

And just in the interests of clarity, Sailor53 is an impostor. I am the real and original sailor, me, me, me.....