MGM Grand Hotel Room Upgrades

Jackpot! Kent McHenry Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade

Checked in at airport, there were no other customers at the desk. It was about 7:30 PM and I chatted up the lady at the counter about how dead it was. She appeared to be in her mid 20's and she said that the crowd had just left, and that they had just been swamped a few minutes earlier.
I commented that I must have come at just the right time and handed her my ID and credit card with a $50 "sandwiched" in between.
I went for the $50, because honestly I don't think $20 will get you where it used to. Plus the 50% success rate that MGM has on this site made me go for the bigger bucks in hopes of a return. In addition, we were staying for six nights.
I gave the old: "Do you have any complimentary upgrades available?" as I handed her the sandwich.
She smiled noticeably and raised her eyebrows a bit as she deftly placed the $50 next to the keyboard, also setting my ID and credit card down and began typing away.
After a couple of minutes, she apologized for not having any suites available to upgrade me to, and then walked over to who I assumed was her supervisor and wrote a few things on a pad of paper, because her supervisor was on the phone.
Her supervisor looked it over and nodded.
She returned to the computer and told me that she could upgrade my room to a strip view, which was $25 more according to her.
She then pulled out two cards (I was visiting with a guest), and told me that we could have a free buffet (breakfast, brunch or lunch only) at any of the M-Life casinos for every day that we were there.
This buffet pass included the MGM, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excaliber, Mirage, Aria, Monte Carlo & Circus Circus.
She then also handed me two complimentary admission cards to their two night clubs, Tabu and Studio 54. These were good only Mon-Fri.
She also said something about discounts to all shows at the MGM, but I didn't plan on attending any and honestly don't know if there is already a discount for anyone staying at the hotel anyway.
She was handing me all my things and asked if there was anything else that she could do for me today.
I decided to push for a refrigerator for the room, saying something on the order of: "Is there any way I could get a refrigerator for the room?"
She nodded immediately and told me that there would be one waiting for me in the room, comped for "medical reasons".
I thanked her and left.
All in all, it was the best $50 I spent in Vegas and would do it again in a heartbeat.
Although I didn't get a significant room upgrade (are you really there to spend time in your hotel room anyway?), the buffet comps made it a sound investment.
We ate at a different buffet everyday for nothing but the cost of a tip. We would have spent an estimated $200-$300 on those meals.
Also, the refrigerator was a nice option. This is normally a $35 a night charge at MGM. So that boiled down to $210 freebie. We kept our bottled water and booze nice and cold at no charge.
I did not use the club passes, as that's really not my scene anymore. But all in all, I estimate that I spent $50 for services that I took advantage of that totaled $410-$510.
For those that cringe at the idea of handing over a $50 instead of a $20, I can say I don't think I would've gotten what I did with a $20.
It was a great start in my first night in Vegas, winning on my $50 check-in bet! :)

Jackpot! Phil Got A MGM Grand Room Upgrade
Booked Via Priceline

Just came back from my weekend stay at MGM-grand/"target="_blank">MGM Grand. Came to the check-in desk and looked at the workers helping guests and found a young lady in her mid 20's. Started conversation off asking her how she was doing, has it been a busy weekend for them, blah blah. I was going to do the sandwich but there were so many other staff around that i thought it would be inappropriate and ruin any chance of an upgrade. instead i kindly asked if there were any comp upgrades available and she quickly began looking. found a room and spoke to her manager for a second and they were able to give me a Hollywood suite (the suite above the Celebrity suite). I gladly took it and thanked her. I dont remember her name but she was very sweet and helpful.

IMO its better to start a conversation that will make the worker comfortable with helping you if you ask. the $20 sandwich can give the wrong idea (bribe?) and blow any chance of an upgrade.

No Dice For Eric at MGM Grand...

Received a couple of comped rooms from MGM-grand/"target="_blank">MGM Grand. They told me via email that they were a Grand Tower Room. Arrived about 4:30 on a Sunday and got put in a line by a MGM employee. Got moved to 2 other lines and finally got to a human. I pretty much knew I was doomed as it appeared the manager was standing right behind her. I tried anyways and was told they had no "complementary" upgrades, but could upgrade me for a fee. I told her no thank you. He did not take my $20, and the room they provided was a nice room. In my opinion, it is always worth a shot.

No Dice For Matt W at MGM Grand...

Me and my friend approached a new counter which had only opened for a few moments. 2 Couples infront of me got checked in then I approached the desk. The lady seemed nice, I\'d say around late 20\'s, Black, 5\"5ft, Curly shoulder length hair. I said we are here to check in and gave both my passport, credit card, booking information and $40.00 in my passport sticking out. She bagan typing away and looked and smiled at me, I thought yes I\'m in! I asked if there was a chance of a complimentary upgrade to which she said yes there would be, she typed away and said there is a suite for only $27.00 extra per night, I again said again any complimentary upgrades to which she said no she could not do that and handed by my $40.00.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!