I finally tried that 'secret' hotel booking trick in Barcelona and it backfired

I read online that you could call a hotel directly after booking a cheap third-party rate to get a free upgrade. I tried it at a place near Las Ramblas, and the front desk guy basically laughed and said they flag those bookings. Ended up in a tiny room facing the alley for 3 nights. Has anyone actually had this work, or is it just a myth that makes things worse?

3 comments

3 Comments

julia_fisher282mo ago

Ever actually seen that trick work? Hotels hate those third party bookings now, they have zero reason to give you anything extra. You're better off just booking direct if you want a chance at an upgrade.

the_jennifer2mo ago

Nah I got a suite upgrade last month through one of those sites lol. Ryanprice maybe just got unlucky that time, but I've had it work more than once.

ryanprice2mo ago

I used to always book through those discount sites for years. Then a front desk guy in Vegas told me they literally can't upgrade my room type from a third party reservation. Now I just check the hotel's own website first.