A higher room category isn't a lottery — it's the sum of a few clear factors. Sometimes you can buy the upgrade in advance, sometimes it depends on the hotel's occupancy on arrival day, and sometimes it comes down to a loyalty programme and your reason for travelling. Let's walk through the practical options calmly, one by one.
An upgrade is possible in four ways: paying extra at booking, paying extra at reception, through the hotel's loyalty programme, and subject to availability at check-in (the last one isn't guaranteed). A polite request and a special occasion — a honeymoon or anniversary — can improve your odds. You can note your wish in the special requests for your booking under My bookings.
01 / WaysFour ways to get a higher-category room
Each way has its own reliability and its own price. A paid upgrade gives you a guarantee — you know the room category in advance. Loyalty and availability cost nothing but depend on your guest status and the hotel's occupancy. Here's a comparison to help you pick the right path for your trip.
02 / At bookingPaying for the upgrade at booking — the most reliable
If the room category matters and the trip loses its point without it — say you need a sea view or a separate living room — book it right away. That way the room is locked in for you and you won't have to rely on luck on arrival day.
Pick the hotel and dates
On the hotel page, compare the available room categories and their prices for the whole stay.
Choose the category you want
Pick an option above the base one — a suite, a view room or one with a lounge. The price already includes the upgrade, with nothing extra to pay at the desk.
Confirm and pay
Once paid, the category is fixed in your booking. You can check it under My bookings.
03 / On arrivalUpgrades at reception and by availability
At check-in you can pay extra for a higher category if any are free — the on-site rate is often lower than at booking. And sometimes the hotel offers an upgrade for free: when the base rooms are full and the higher ones sit empty. That's the "subject to availability" path — a pleasant bonus, but not something you can demand.
- Hotel loyalty programme. At chains, status guests often get an upgrade under their tier rules — check the terms within the programme itself.
- Hotel occupancy. On weekdays and in low season, more higher-category rooms tend to be free, so the chance of a free upgrade is higher.
- A polite request. Calmly ask at the desk whether it's possible — without demands or pressure.
04 / Your oddsHow to politely improve your odds
A free upgrade is always the hotel's goodwill gesture, and it's shaped by how you communicate and why you're travelling. A special occasion — a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday — can noticeably improve your odds. Note it in advance in the special requests for your booking, and mention it tactfully at check-in.
05 / FAQFrequently asked questions about upgrades
Can a free upgrade be guaranteed in advance?
No. A free upgrade is only possible subject to availability at check-in, or under the hotel's loyalty-programme rules. If the category matters, book the higher room with a paid upgrade — then it's locked in for you.
Where do I note that it's our honeymoon or anniversary?
Under My bookings, open the booking and add the occasion to the special requests. We'll pass it to the hotel — it raises the chance of a nice upgrade, though it doesn't oblige the hotel.
Which is cheaper — upgrading at booking or at reception?
It varies. The per-night rate at reception is often lower, but free rooms in the category you want aren't guaranteed. An upgrade at booking costs more per night but locks the category in. Compare the total for all nights before deciding.
Does my loyalty-programme status matter?
Yes. At chain hotels, status guests often get an upgrade under their tier rules. The terms are set by the hotel's own programme — check with the chain. You can also review your Sales.Travel Club status.