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MGM Grand Hotel Room Upgrades

How Do Vegas Insiders Get $1,000+ Room Upgrades for $20?

 
We'll tell you how to master the 'front desk tip' - AKA the '$20 sandwich trick' - to get MGM Grand room upgrades in Vegas for a fraction of the hotel's regular price.

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184 Reports From the MGM Grand Hotel Front Desk

Book MGM Grand Now at: Hotels.com | Expedia | Orbitz | Travelocity


Recent Room Upgrades: 100% (2/2)

'All Time' Upgrades: 54% (99/184)


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  • Room Booked: Standard Deluxe Room (Comped)
  • Room Upgrade: City View Deluxe Room 29th FL
  • Hotel Clerk: Female / 31
  • Check-In: 2010-08-27

Jackpot! Matt B. Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

 
 

*** ARIA - NOT MGM-grand/"target="_blank">MGM Grand***

Based on my previous MGM Players Club play, I got 3 days comp’d at Aria in my offers list. I reserved the free room using the Players Club website.

Even though I wasn't a "paying" customer, I decided to try the $20 tip sandwich. Last time, I had success with this at MB and got upgraded to a suite at THE hotel for 10 days for $20!

What was interesting about Aria was the afro-american girl took my license, credit card and I could tell she saw the $20 bill, but she simply placed it on her keyboard and started typing. I asked her if there were any comp upgrades (even though my room was also being comp'd by the casino) and she said she gave me a free upgrade to a City View Deluxe Room.

She booked the upgrade, but then proceeded to give my back the entire sandwich...I figured she wasn't allowed to take the money while she was choosing the room type...but then I gave her the $20 bill, which then was glad to have it.

So, it would seem that the clerks at Aria aren't allowed to take the tip until after the room is upgraded, but having the $20 in the sandwich is a good indicatort for them to know that you'll still make good on the tip if she upgrades you before officially taking the tip.

 
   
  • Room Booked: MGM West Wing
  • Room Upgrade: Celebrity Spa Suite
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 18
  • Check-In: 2010-03-23
  • Booked at: Travelocity

Jackpot! mdp Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade
Booked Via Travelocity

 
 

Arrived at the hotel around 3:30 pm on a Thursday afternoon. All of the check-in lines were 4-5 people deep. Couldn't help but hear all of the chaos and confusion with everyone in front of us trying to check-in. It seemed no ones reservations were correct. When I finally reached the counter, I was greeted by the desk clerk who was in his early 20's. He was very friendly and we began to chit- chat about his day. My reservation was correct but I proceeded to ask him if there were any upgrades available as I handed him my ID and credit card with my folded $20. There wasn't any complimentary upgrades but he got a book out that listed all of their rooms/suites and proceeded to tell me what I could upgrade to for a small, nightly fee. I had booked my 5 night stay for under $200 so I did not mind paying an additional $100-$150 for a Celebrity Spa Suite. Those rooms are very nice. The bathroom itself is almost as large as the entire West Wing room. I was very pleased even though I didn't get it for free. I still only paid about $70/night, tax included. The entire check-in process was about an hour but ended up being worth it to me.

 
   
  • Room Booked: standard room
  • Room Upgrade: n/a
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 18
  • Check-In: 2010-03-05

No Dice For C-Dawg at MGM Grand...

 
 

As i rolled into the lobby around 2pm on a Friday afternoon, i was observing the possible clerks that would be able to hook me up. Since i'm asian, i figure a fellow asian guy would be able to help me out. the guy was in his mid 20's. As i sandwiched the $20, he takes both DL and CC and leaves the $20 on the counter near his keyboard. I asked him if there were any complementary upgrades. He straight said "no, we dont offer complementary upgrades". I'm thinking in my head, WTF! After he hands up the keys, he takes the money leaves. Oh man, i was furious that, it didnt go my way, and in addition he didn't give me back my $20. i wanted to jump behind the counter and knock him out but held my composure. I was thinking of talking to a general mananger but i'm sure it will be my word verse his so i didnt bother. Now i see why MGM was rated a 50% of getting upgraded. Horrible!

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand Tower Room
  • Room Upgrade:
  • Hotel Clerk: Female / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-12-20
  • Booked at: Orbitz

No Dice For Russell Johnson at MGM Grand...
Booked Via Orbitz

 
 

Checked in around 3-4PM on a Sunday. Booked 2 rooms so I decided to tip $40. Walked up to a young female clerk. She asked for my ID and credit card. I handed it to her and asked if there were any complementary upgrades. She saw the $40 and started typing away. About a minute passes and she told me that they were low on the suites so she couldn't offer it complimentary. I asked her if there was anything she could do such as a higher floor with better view. She gave me a room on the 26th/28 floor with a south-west strip view. She handed me my money back. Didn't get an upgrade but wasn't expecting much from MGM.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand Tower Room
  • Room Upgrade: Grand Tower Room with strip view
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-10-29

No Dice For Nam at MGM Grand...

 
 

As I was checking in, I did the $20 sandwich and asked if any complimentary upgrades were available. I was already receiving my 3 night stay comped, but wanted to see if I could get it upgraded. Right away as soon as the clerk saw the $20 he thanked me and apologized for not being able to take the tip. He explained to me that he greatly appreciated the tip, but they have policies at MGM where they are not allowed to accept tips at registration. I did manage to get a strip view though.

 
   
  • Room Booked: DELUXE TWO QUEEN BED ROOM
  • Room Upgrade: NOT UPGRADED
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-08-15

No Dice For DAVE at MGM Grand...

 
 

This should have been a slam dunk. We signed on for the hotels "PRIMA" Package (you pay $500 upfront for hotel services you will use and get a free upgrade to a suite ++SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY++ and other perks) I slipped a young man with brown hair and blond high lighting who seemed to be moving his line quickly and sending people away happy $20 with my credit card and ID and asked for a high floor with a good view. He asked what the $20 was for and I told him to thank him for helping to get us a suite with a good view, He then advised us t hat while we got a room on the 19th Floor with a strip view, the upgrade we were entitled to was subject to availability and none were available and therefore we would not be upgraded, even as a PRIMA member. He further advised that even though we were staying for a week, that we could not upgrade when a suite became available since in was not available when we checked in but could upgrade at our own expense later on in our stay. The view we received was minimally strip view with mostly roof top view. We were told by every PRIMA member we met that they were told the same line on check-in that the promised upgrade was not available at check in and there for not given. The PRIMA membership was still a good deal if your were going to spend $500 on premises anyway but don't expect it to get you the promised upgrade. The $20 tip was money thrown out.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard
  • Room Upgrade: None
  • Hotel Clerk: Female / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-08-04

No Dice For Kris at MGM Grand...

 
 

Checked in at 3:00 on Tues, Aug.4. Tried the $20 trick with young Asian female clerk. Asked for a complimentary upgrade. She said none available and returned the $20 with my card and ID. We did get a high floor, but overlooked the airport runway and Hooters.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard
  • Room Upgrade: Higher Floor
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 25
  • Check-In: 2009-07-17

No Dice For Eric at MGM Grand...

 
 

I chose the shortest line. In retrospect maybe I should have chosen a line with a young female or with someone who looked like they needed money. Did the entire routine here (as I had read). Had never done it before, but it figured I may as well try. He saw the money sandwich and still said there were no upgrades. Then handed it all back to me. Afterward, just asked if there were higher floors available and the next night was able to change rooms to a floor 20 stories up with a much improved view. Probably could have gotten the same room with just asking. Overall, worth the try!

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand Tower
  • Room Upgrade:
  • Hotel Clerk: Female / 31
  • Check-In: 2009-07-01

No Dice For Mike at MGM Grand...

 
 

I attempted the sandwich on a Wednesday afternoon, for a Wednesday and Thursday night stay. I offered $20, to the 30 something female, and asked if there were any free upgrades. She politely, but immediately, said no and gave me the $20 back. With the state of the economy, and Vegas, I know plenty of upgrades were available for a midweek stay. I need to mention that my room was comped, but that shouldn't have entered into it.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand Tower Room
  • Room Upgrade: West Wing Room
  • Hotel Clerk: Male / 36
  • Check-In: 2009-05-24

No Dice For steff at MGM Grand...

 
 

checked in on a sunday on memorial day weekend, it was packed but we tried anyway. clerk immediately returned the 20 then offered "free upgrade" to the more contemporary West Wing room (not a suite, so technically not an upgrade, smaller but newer, "quieter and for singles/couples")

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand Tower Room
  • Room Upgrade: West Wing Room
  • Hotel Clerk: Female / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-05-12

Jackpot! Lukas Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

 
 

Arrived at the MGM around 6pm. A 20 to 25 year old asian girl just started her shift and I gave her the 20$ asking for a complimentary upgrade. She said she will have a look what's available and gave us an upgrade to a West Wing room for free!

 
   
  • Room Booked: Basic (Expedia deal)
  • Room Upgrade: Strip View, High Floor
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 18
  • Check-In: 2009-04-10

Jackpot! Ryan Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

 
 

Booked a super cheap room deal for 3 nights. Gave the sandwich and she seperated the bill and paused and I said the 20 was for her, she smiled and kept it. Since I have tried this before and it has worked for me, I went for the end zone and asked if there were any complimentary upgrades to suites. The associate said no for the suite, although in my opinion she didn't really check too hard, but would be able to assign a room high up, 23rd floor with a strip view. All in all for 20 bucks, it was worth it as I had some friends who booked the same deal with Expedia complain about their room on the 4th floor!!

 
   
  • Room Booked: Regular 2 queen beds
  • Room Upgrade: same
  • Hotel Clerk: male / 25
  • Check-In: 2009-03-27

Jackpot! Rich Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

 
 

Didn't ask for an up-grade. Just handed him the $20 bill and asked for anything he could do for us. He gave us a room on the 26th floor 26-101 very near the elevator. Also gave us a 'line pass' and 2 extra buffet meals.
Also, on check out day asked for a later check out and handed the clerk a $20. She allowed for a 3 p.m. check out which helped a lot because our flight out was late afternoon.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard Tower
  • Room Upgrade: N/A
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 31
  • Check-In: 2009-02-19

No Dice For Anon at MGM Grand...

 
 

Checked in on Thursday afternoon at approximately 4:00PM. Front Desk was not busy. She asked for DL and gave it to her. I then asked if there were any comp upgrades available with a $20 showing under my CC. Don't know if she saw it or not, but she seemed like she already made up her mind as soon as we asked about the upgrade. Stayed for 4 nights and Saturday was apparently all sold-out, which may have had something to do with it.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Grand room
  • Room Upgrade: nothing
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 31
  • Check-In: 2009-01-18

No Dice For Aaron at MGM Grand...

 
 

Gave my credit card and drivers license and put a $20 on the counter and asked if there were any comp upgrades available. She didnt even think about it, and said no, the hotel was full. I checked prior if there was any big conventions going on an there wasnt. I also check in on a Sunday afternoon staying for the weekdays. This is the 3rd time within a year that I have been denied. Dont think MGM is allowing this anymore.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard
  • Room Upgrade:
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 18
  • Check-In: 2008-12-20

No Dice For Larry at MGM Grand...

 
 

Comped 3 nights...receptionist saw the $20 and pushed it back saying all their suites were booked...which I kind of doubt since it was really a slow time of year....

 
   
  • Room Booked: standard room
  • Room Upgrade: strip view corner room
  • Hotel Clerk: male / 25
  • Check-In: 2008-10-26

Jackpot! Lindsay Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

 
 

the guy was extremely helpful and friendly, i've never seen anyone transfer 20 dollars so fast into their pocket!!! it was well worth it.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Regular room
  • Room Upgrade: Paid for SPA Room
  • Hotel Clerk: male / 36
  • Check-In: 2008-10-11

No Dice For JASON at MGM Grand...

 
 

Did the trick, and the staff member pushed the $20 aside, and offered an upgrade for $29 to a spa room. I later heard that all of the regular rooms were full and everyone who came late got upgraded... and she didn't give me back the $20 either.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard King (casino rate)
  • Room Upgrade: was offered West Wing King
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 25
  • Check-In: 2008-10-07

No Dice For "James" at MGM Grand...

 
 

Did the usual, handed the clerk 'the sandwich' and asked about any complimentary upgrades and she replied "let me see what I can find" so she knew the drill. She offered me a West Wing King room but I politely declined. While the West Wing rooms are nice (I've stayed in one before) they are not really much of an upgrade from the standard rooms. She then said "sorry I couldn't do better" and gave me back my 20. I thanked her kindly for trying.

 
   
  • Room Booked: Standard Room (casino rate)
  • Room Upgrade: Was offered West Wing King Room
  • Hotel Clerk: female / 25
  • Check-In: 2008-10-07

No Dice For "James" at MGM Grand...

 
 

Did the usual. Handed the clerk the 'sandwich' and asked if there were any complimentary upgrades available. She then replied "Let me check and see" so she knew the drill. Then she said that the best that she could give me was a West Wing King Room which I politely declined. I've stayed in one of the West Wing Rooms before and it is not really that much of an upgrade. I thanked her kindly for trying and she gave me back my $20.

 




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