Just booked a hotel, resort or cruise? This insider travel hack can land you VIP treatment, a room upgrade and more perks on your existing reservation. For free.
Last updated: September 2024
Already have a hotel, resort or cruise booked for your upcoming trip? I’m about to let you in on a little-known travel hack: it’s entirely possible to score fabulous perks, upgrades and VIP treatment on your existing reservation. For free. No loyalty points or credit card status needed, and you don’t even have to ask for anything yourself.
Welcome to a travel industry secret called hotel & cruise takeovers, one of the powers wielded by luxury travel advisors (a.k.a. magical modern day travel agents) with insider access and connections. I’m one of those travel advisors.
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How to Get a Free Upgrade & Perks on Your Upcoming Hotel Stay or Cruise: The Reservation
If you’ve booked directly through the hotel’s website, or are within 60 days of reserving your cruise, there’s a good chance a travel advisor like me can takeover and level up your stay or sailing. To find out, you simply need to forward me your confirmation email so I can check what VIP amenities I may be able to add to your reservation. This comes at absolutely no additional cost to you – on my end or the hotel’s end.
Did you book your hotel through an OTA (online travel agency like Expedia, Hotels, Booking, HotelTonight or Amex FHR)? It’s still possible – but only by canceling your original reservation and rebooking through me. This, of course, will only be worth it for you if you a) have free cancellation b) my new quote ends up being a better deal than your original reservation.
How to Get a Free Upgrade & Perks on Your Upcoming Hotel Stay or Cruise: The Glow-up
Typical perks that travel advisors like me can add to your existing hotel reservation include: a priority room upgrade, VIP welcome amenities, complimentary daily breakfast for two, resort credits ranging from $50.00 – $200+ (covering things like food, beverages and/or spa treatments) and priority early check-in and late check-out. For cruises, think extra onboard credits, priority embarking and disembarking, complimentary experiences and exclusive ship access.
Typical hotels that I can takeover and glow-up include (but aren’t limited to): Auberge to Accor, Omni to One & Only, Marriott to Mandarin Oriental, Nobu to Belmond, Four Seasons to Firmdale, Hilton to Hyatt, Design Hotels to IHG and Rosewood to Relais & Châteaux. Plus, countless boutique stays. Typical luxury cruise lines that I can takeover and glow-up include Silversea, Seabourn, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Viking Cruises, Windstar and more. There is no geographic restriction on takeovers – my capabilities extend worldwide.
Amex Platinum cardholders, if you’re thinking that these perks sound awfully similar to the perks you receive when booking through Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR), you’re not wrong. This said, there are some things you should know. Not only do my perks oftentimes exceed Amex perks, travel advisor bookings rank higher in the hotel guest hierarchy vs. Amex bookings. Meaning when you book through me, you’re first in line for that room upgrade. Plus, my inventory is nearly double that of Amex FHR’s.
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How to Get a Free Upgrade & Perks on Your Upcoming Hotel Stay or Cruise: The Details
You already know there’s no additional cost to you, but what’s in it for me, the advisor? I’ll earn a commission paid directly to me from your hotel or cruise line, plus help you do what I love – have the best getaway possible. It’s a win-win.
What about the hotel? Why would a hotel, resort or cruise offer free upgrades and perks to a reservation that’s already booked – let alone pay out commission? Because hotels and cruise lines value working with TA’s (travel advisors) and the quality guests we continually bring them. They’re willing to scratch our back so we scratch theirs – as in, bring them more quality guests like you in the future.
It’s important to note that not all hotels or cruise lines offer booking takeovers (or perks), but many do. To find out if your upcoming, already-booked hotel stay or sailing qualifies for an instant glow-up, find out more and contact me here.
Don’t have your hotel or cruise booked yet? This makes it even easier for me to level up your reservation. Find out more about booking your next hotel stay or cruise through me, a luxury travel advisor, here.
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