Most Travelers Don't Know That These 6 Hotel Upgrades Are Actually Worth The Cost

If you've ever been on the phone with a hotel reservationist (you know, like back in 1999) or have dealt with the sales pitch people at mega-resorts, you're probably in the group of people who turn down a hotel room upgrade no questions asked -- and understandably so. More often than not, these "upgrades" involve a lot of extra cash and not a lot of additional perks. However, a real deal can be found in the occasional gem of an upgrade. We plugged in August dates and found six hotel rooms where the upgrade from one room type to the one directly above it is well worth the indulgence.

-- Jane Reynolds, Oyster.com

Standard Double Room at The Tophams Hotel, London

Though a luxury hotel, London's The Tophams offers various budget-friendly room categories, the most standard being the Single Room with a Shared Bathroom. This option will certainly save you some cash, but -- for just about $40/night extra -- the Standard Double Room comes with more space, a comfier bed and an en-suite bathroom.

Ocean View Prime Room at the Four Seasons Maui

A stay at the Four Seasons Maui does not come cheap, so it makes sense that guests try to save money where they can. But when you're already paying hundreds upon hundreds of dollars a night for your lavish digs, 50 extra doesn't seem so bad -- and that's what an upgrade from the Ocean View Room to the Ocean View Prime Room will cost you. These rooms not only offer better views (thanks to positions on higher floors), but they also are generally quieter as they overlook the hotel's gardens.

Collection Room at Tivoli Sao Paulo Mofarrej

At Tivoli Sao Paulo Mofarrej, you pay an extra $30/night for less square footage -- bear with us. Though the Collection Rooms are indeed smaller than the Superior Rooms (the category below), their amenities are far superior (ironic, we know). These rooms come with iPods, Nespresso coffeemakers, and bathrooms with slippers, robes, and separate bathtubs and showers -- all of which Superior Rooms lack.

One Bedroom Beach Front Suite at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort, St. Lucia

Upgrading from the Deluxe Beach Front Room to the One Bedroom Beach Front Suite at St. Lucia's Bay Gardens Beach Resort may hike up the nightly rate by $100, but we say it's worth it. Opting for the higher-tiered suite means an additional 250 square feet, as well as a full kitchen, separate living room with a queen pullout bed, dining area, powder room, and master bathroom outfitted with his and hers sinks. After all, you can't put a price on having your own space in front of the mirror!

The Deluxe Room at the Shangri-La Hotel Paris

When you're dropping thousands on some of the chicest accommodations in Paris, what's an extra $55/night? That's what you pay when you switch from the Superior Room at the Shangri-La to the Deluxe Room, which offers more space and a separate soaking tub in the bathroom. Be sure to ask for a Deluxe Room with a balcony.

Junior Suite at Hotel Saratoga, Majorca

For about $40/night, guests can upgrade from a Deluxe Room at Hotel Saratoga to a Junior Suite. We saved the best upgrade for last: Opting for this higher-category room means the addition of a top-notch speaker system as well as a ton more space -- which includes a large sitting area with leather couches and a desk, and a wraparound balcony.

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Travelore Tips: 10 Smart Ways To Get A Free Upgrade On Any Trip

After a long day of travel woes, nothing calms and excites the soul like a free upgrade.

And whether on a flight or at your hotel, there are smart ways to secure a free upgrade beyond the typical "it's my anniversary" ploy. So we turned to air travel expert George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog and other HuffPost/Travelore Report bloggers for some tips.

Get a little savvy, and...

Use your miles for an upgrade. 
Remember that airline miles aren't just for booking flights -- on many airlines, they can be used to upgrade an existing ticket as well. It's best to check online for available upgrades three or four days before your flight, says Hobica. Calling the airline to ask in realtime helps, too.

Book with a site that monitors price dips.
Websites like tingo.com will "monitor your hotel reservation, and if a better room becomes available at the same price, they will alert you and offer to upgrade you," says Hobica. THAT'S a sweet deal.

Check in late at your hotel.
Later in the day, hotels usually have a better idea of precisely which rooms are booked for the night. That means they'll be in a better position to dish out an upgrade if you ask for one.

Volunteer to swap flights before they call volunteers.
When flights are overbooked, airlines will sometimes offer vouchers to passengers who volunteer to switch to a later flight. The value of these vouchers will often rise as the need for volunteers becomes more desperate. However, it may be most lucrative to approach the gate agent before this whole process starts and tell them you'd be happy to volunteer in exchange for the best voucher deal of the day.

Just ASK.
Whether at an airline or hotel check-in, the boldness of simply asking for an upgradecan pay off. If there's a last-minute suite or first-class seat, there's no reason it can't be yours.

Be really nice.
When you do approach the airline desk or hotel check-in to ask for an upgrade, being nice dramatically increases your chances of getting an offer. According to Hobica, the logic is simple: "Most people are NOT really nice at check in... Try being nice, and ask. If the hotel isn’t full, they may give you a better room. I do this all the time."

Dress really nicely.
Likewise, looking the part of an upgraded client can earn you the status of an upgraded client. When airlines have a last-minute spot in first class, Hobica says, "Who do you think they'll upgrade? The slob, or the guy in the suit?"

Become a frequent flier (or a frequent hotel stay-er).
Many times, an airline will offer available upgrades to members of its elite programbefore it offers them to other passengers. Stay in the same hotel chain frequently to reap the perks (not just upgraded rooms, but manicures and late checkout, too!) that come with being a loyal guest.

Tip, just a little.
So it's not really a "free" upgrade if you offer a tip, but just a little bit of cash can go a long way. That's because it's not about the money -- it's about the gesture. "Tipping is kindness," explains hotel veteran Jacob Tomsky. "It's hard to express kindness in today's lightning-fast world."

Celebrate an "un-special" occasion.
When desk agents hear about birthdays and anniversaries all the time, you can imagine they don't find them very "special" or worthy of an upgrade anymore, explains Tomsky. He says he would most likely dole out an upgrade to a guest who is "celebrating" a divorce... do with that information what you will.

The Huffington Post  | By Suzy Strutner

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