The two-second question you can ask to get a better hotel room - for free
Everyone wants to get free upgrades on holiday.
In fact, many travellers have admitted to telling a little white lie about being on their honeymoon, or to heaping praise on the front desk worker in the hope of preferential treatment.
But in fact, if you want a nicer hotel room, all you need to do is ask. You just have to know how.
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Corner hotel rooms often have a lot more space. Crowne Plaza
Jamie Fraser, owner of Wedderlie House, an exclusive-use private estate in Scotland, says it's not actually that tricky to get a better room without paying anything extra.
All you have to do is ask for a corner room at check-in.
Most of us assume that room allocations are set when you book, but they're often not assigned until you actually check in at the hotel.
"Corner rooms are often slightly larger than standard rooms because of the building layout, and they usually only share one wall with another guest," Jamie explains.
"That means they can be noticeably quieter, which many travellers really appreciate after a long journey."
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Rooms aren't assigned until you check in. Getty
Sometimes you'll see hotels separating rooms into categories that will see you paying a higher rate for lodging on upper-level floors.
But hotels don't typically advertise corner rooms as a separate category. And if one is available when you check in, staff may be happy to allocate it if you ask politely.
Jaime says it works best if you're travelling during quieter periods, when the hotel isn't at full capacity.
"Simply asking if any corner rooms are available can sometimes result in a small upgrade without any additional charge."
He adds that you shouldn't feel self-conscious about asking, as reception staff are very used to guests making preferences for things like higher floors, rooms away from elevators, or windows with a view.
If you really want to maximise your chances of getting that coveted corner room, arrive earlier in the day, before most rooms have been allocated.
Just be polite. Getty
As reported by 9Travel in the past, the best way to get a hotel upgrade is to be polite.
Check your ego at the (revolving) door and remember that the front desk worker is a human being just like you.
"A lot of people assume confidence is the key to persuasion – but when it comes to service staff, likeability trumps dominance every time," senior Psychologist John Eastman explained.
"Hotel staff are trained to clock your mood and motives in seconds. If you come across as difficult, pushy, or transactional, they're far less likely to bend the rules for you."
That's a lot better than being caught lying about your birthday - remember, hotel workers often have a copy of your ID.
Use soft, open-ended language. Try: "Any chance there might be an upgrade available today?" rather than "Can I get an upgrade?".
