Honeymoon upgrades - is this a thing?
Discussion
What I did was, I went on trip advisor to read reviews of the hotels I was staying out, and usually the general manager replies to comments on trip advisor, usually a thank you etc, which he usually leaves his email address directly. I then emailed his with a general query like transfers to hotel etc whilst slipping in a comment about being on my honeymoon. I'm on my honeymoon in May in Indonesia, (Bali/Lombok/Gili islands etc) and managed to get an upgrade on most the hotels. Emailing the general manager is where its at!
You got to play the game!
Call/email the hotel directly and explain it's your honeymoon, but always give them an incentive to give you an upgrade...
For example, explain it's your honeymoon, say you want to organise a special surprise dinner and a few other things. Then casually drop in that as you're organising and spending a lot of money with them, maybe they could help complete the surprise by giving you an upgrade? They'll want to see your marriage certificate too so bring it along (as proof).
They'll then say it's down to availability but if you keep checking up on them, sometimes they'll help you. I've always found bigger hotels to be a pain to deal with, it's the smaller hotels that like to help.
Secondly, try the same with customer relations with your airline - you'll probably have less luck with them, unless you have status with them.
Remember to try on the desk on check-in as well as sometimes they help out too.
Good luck and congratulations!
Call/email the hotel directly and explain it's your honeymoon, but always give them an incentive to give you an upgrade...
For example, explain it's your honeymoon, say you want to organise a special surprise dinner and a few other things. Then casually drop in that as you're organising and spending a lot of money with them, maybe they could help complete the surprise by giving you an upgrade? They'll want to see your marriage certificate too so bring it along (as proof).
They'll then say it's down to availability but if you keep checking up on them, sometimes they'll help you. I've always found bigger hotels to be a pain to deal with, it's the smaller hotels that like to help.
Secondly, try the same with customer relations with your airline - you'll probably have less luck with them, unless you have status with them.
Remember to try on the desk on check-in as well as sometimes they help out too.
Good luck and congratulations!
Only thing we blagged was being given the best table in the restaurant at paris, las vegas, which overlooks the belagio fountains. Completely off chance and unplanned, ambling through the casino when the concierge/receptionist lady just stops us and asks where we're dining and if we'd like to have a look upstairs. Amazing food, spectacular view.
Highly recommend it over the french version of paris.
Highly recommend it over the french version of paris.
I emailed all the hotels we were staying at to say I wanted a little surprise for my wife in the room such as some bubbles, at the Hilton they upgraded us to an executive suite and gave access to their business lounge where we could eat and drink for free!
At the second hotel we did not get upgraded but there was a platter of fruit and some cold champers.
Don't ask, don't get I reckon!
At the second hotel we did not get upgraded but there was a platter of fruit and some cold champers.
Don't ask, don't get I reckon!
We booked our honeymoon through Kuoni and they popped a note on every check in document at every hotel and excursion etc.
We got an upgraded room in all but one hotel (out of 8) and had at least a bottle of champagne a night, sometimes chocolates and other bits and pieces. No upgrade on flights, we were flying Emirates Business so we weren't too bothered, but the suites in First Class looked amazing!
We didn't ask, it just happened, and it was nice.
I wonder how long I can make our annual holidays our 'honeymoon'!?
We got an upgraded room in all but one hotel (out of 8) and had at least a bottle of champagne a night, sometimes chocolates and other bits and pieces. No upgrade on flights, we were flying Emirates Business so we weren't too bothered, but the suites in First Class looked amazing!
We didn't ask, it just happened, and it was nice.
I wonder how long I can make our annual holidays our 'honeymoon'!?
Bottle of champagne in most places, flights were in First courtesy of avios. No room upgrades but every place in the itinerary was basically giving us 25-50% off normal rates by virtue of some honeymoon offer. Op - I assume you got that too?
I wonder if they get a kickback from all the suppliers who overcharge for the big day itself..
I wonder if they get a kickback from all the suppliers who overcharge for the big day itself..
AB said:
We booked our honeymoon through Kuoni and they popped a note on every check in document at every hotel and excursion etc.
We got an upgraded room in all but one hotel (out of 8) and had at least a bottle of champagne a night, sometimes chocolates and other bits and pieces. No upgrade on flights, we were flying Emirates Business so we weren't too bothered, but the suites in First Class looked amazing!
We didn't ask, it just happened, and it was nice.
I wonder how long I can make our annual holidays our 'honeymoon'!?
Likewise, Kuoni told everyone for us and it seemed remarkably effective.We got an upgraded room in all but one hotel (out of 8) and had at least a bottle of champagne a night, sometimes chocolates and other bits and pieces. No upgrade on flights, we were flying Emirates Business so we weren't too bothered, but the suites in First Class looked amazing!
We didn't ask, it just happened, and it was nice.
I wonder how long I can make our annual holidays our 'honeymoon'!?
0000 said:
Likewise, Kuoni told everyone for us and it seemed remarkably effective.
Indeed, mentions of honeymoon were all done ahead of schedule by Kuoni for us- forget about flight upgrades though- seemingly a thing of the past.I dropped a vague hint about going on our honeymoon at the check-in desk (Emirates) that didn't even register with the staff- wasn't expecting an upgrade to be honest)- but they did bring us a massive cake on the flight- about 30 minutes after the meal- which was a nice surprise.
However, the hotels were a different matter- usually you'll see in the brochures that there are special offers/treats available for honeymoons etc., so we did get a number of free champagne fuelled private dinners on various Seychelles beaches, the odd manky fruit bowl, your standard fare really.
Then in Dubai we got upgraded massively to a suite which was fantastic (also came with a private gazebo by the pool and at the beach)...
The best upgrade of the lot was from a hotel we hated the instant we arrived, to a private island resort- all free of charge. Never have I felt so smug whilst lounging by the pool sipping frozen mango smoothies!
oyster said:
What an odd subject.
Why would a commercial organisation give you extra special treatment just because you're on honeymoon? Unless you're already a loyal customer or they feel repeat business may be coming, there's no reason for them to offer it or for you to expect it.
Well, duh.Why would a commercial organisation give you extra special treatment just because you're on honeymoon? Unless you're already a loyal customer or they feel repeat business may be coming, there's no reason for them to offer it or for you to expect it.
oyster said:
What an odd subject.
Why would a commercial organisation give you extra special treatment just because you're on honeymoon? Unless you're already a loyal customer or they feel repeat business may be coming, there's no reason for them to offer it or for you to expect it.
point is, they do... it's just not as common as some people assume. Evidently not you though; it's more common than you assume.Why would a commercial organisation give you extra special treatment just because you're on honeymoon? Unless you're already a loyal customer or they feel repeat business may be coming, there's no reason for them to offer it or for you to expect it.
We did quite well on our honeymoon although we weren't expecting it, as someone points out what is the financial advantage to hotels/airlines etc doing this.
We got a discount for a place in Mauritius, and an upgraded room bottle of champagne, chocolates etc on arrival.
The best was when on Safari in a small camp of about 12 villas we were upgraded to the honeymoon lodge, it was bigger than our house, set away from the rest of the accommodation, private pool, deck over looking a watering hall so all sorts of wildlife would congregate there. It was an expensive part of the holiday but this place was a couple of grand a night.
We got a discount for a place in Mauritius, and an upgraded room bottle of champagne, chocolates etc on arrival.
The best was when on Safari in a small camp of about 12 villas we were upgraded to the honeymoon lodge, it was bigger than our house, set away from the rest of the accommodation, private pool, deck over looking a watering hall so all sorts of wildlife would congregate there. It was an expensive part of the holiday but this place was a couple of grand a night.
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