# The Twenty Dollar Trick. Have you used it? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 23, 2011, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320 "2011-09-23T13:09:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/21 "2011-09-23T17:33:22Z")
Never heard of this trick before opening this thread, but will definitely try it at the next opportunity. It may be awhile, since we don’t stay in hotels very often, but I’ll keep it in mind. I expect that as long as the economy continues to stink, this will be an effective trick. Hotels will have a chronic surplus of better rooms that they can’t sell, so if you rent a cheap room but are willing to essentially bribe the desk clerk $20 for an upgrade, you can probably get some pretty good deals. Is this strictly a hotel thing, or are there other situations where this trick (or something like it) can work? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/22 "2011-09-23T17:46:55Z")
Order a burger but ask about complimentary lobsters? ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/23 "2011-09-23T17:53:49Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > That absolutely makes it sound worth a try. One thing worth noting about it, too: if they say no, they usually give you your $20 back. If I’m feeling charitable, I usually give it back because they tried (like if I saw them spend a second pecking away at the computer for me). ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/24 "2011-09-23T18:45:08Z")
I just recalled that when I worked at a decent hotel (in a smallish/medium city in E.WA) I had a guy slip me $10 (all about the Hamiltons, baby) w/ his credit card and asked for an upgrade. We weren’t very busy and I gave it to him. This would have been in 1998 or so, I think. I can say w/ certainty that if I hadn’t been able to help him out, I would have passed his sawbuck back to him. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/25 "2011-09-23T18:49:05Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > Totally not [the trick I thought you were talking about](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119256/combined). I immediately thought about _The Grifters_ were Roy would flash a $20 for a beer but slip the bartender a $10, getting an extra $10 in change. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/26 "2011-09-23T19:04:32Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I know lots of people who’ve done it, with better than moderate success. I’ve never bothered because our rooms are comped anyway, and our host knows our preferences: > > “I want to spend my time at this hotel the same way I spent college.” High as a kite and fucking coeds? Totally worth $20. ---
**Author:** ![Lare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/53a042/32.png) [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/27 "2011-09-23T19:20:42Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > At the Cosmopolitan, I booked their basic room for $80. With the $20 trick, the guy upgraded me to a one bedroom suite with a balcony overlooking the Bellagio fountains. I had what may actually have been [the greatest view in the entirety of Las Vegas](https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/248271_527870387745_139400322_30654642_7823417_n.jpg). That room usually goes for much more a night than I paid. How do you phrase your request? (That’s a great picture, btw.) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/28 "2011-09-23T19:23:34Z")
> [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > I understand what you are saying. It’s part of the “tip jar” mentality. I went to get a copy of a key made in a hardware store. The clerk starts telling me how they “depend” on their tips and pushes the tip jar forward as he is handing me my change. Every damn place you go, there is a tip jar. You know, I think that I’d find the manager and tell him/her about this. It’s one thing to tip a server, but clerks should be making at least minimum wage…and they certainly shouldn’t be hinting about tips. I really don’t like tip jars. If someone is doing me a personal service, and tips are part of the custom, yeah, I tip. I wish that the custom was otherwise. And I certainly don’t want tipping to creep into other areas. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/29 "2011-09-23T19:24:41Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You’re right. We’re not going to have trouble from the legal bribery of our politicians, but Las Vegas hotel clerks will definitely sink us. So the answer isn’t to start bribing desk clerks but to make it illegal to bribe politicians. 🙂 > [@LurkerInNJ](#): > > I understand what you are saying. It’s part of the “tip jar” mentality. I went to get a copy of a key made in a hardware store. The clerk starts telling me how they “depend” on their tips and pushes the tip jar forward as he is handing me my change. Every damn place you go, there is a tip jar. And I have yet to put a penny into one. Your JOB is taking my order and my money; you didn’t do anything extra for me today, and you don’t get extra money from me for doing your job. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/30 "2011-09-23T19:26:22Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I immediately thought about _The Grifters_ were Roy would flash a $20 for a beer but slip the bartender a $10, getting an extra $10 in change. And _that_ made me think about the short con the father and daughter run in _Paper Moon_. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/31 "2011-09-23T19:34:33Z")
Actually, thinking about it, I do something similar with fairly good results with my CAA membership; I ask if there is any discount for CAA members, and there often is, or they’ll respond with a different discount. One time I asked about the discount, and the clerk’s response was something like, “You’re already getting a $200 a night room for $100; isn’t that enough?” and we responded, “Yes, yes it is. Thank you very much.” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/32 "2011-09-23T19:49:05Z")
I’ve been to Vegas three times as an adult paying my own way and each time I asked for an upgrade and I was given one twice. No money involved. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/33 "2011-09-23T19:58:01Z")
I don’t care about hotel rooms, but does the $20 trick work for getting your seat upgraded on the airplane? Shucks I would pay $20 just for the promise that the seat next to me is the last one sold. Some airlines are actually offering to sell the middle seat to couples for half price. I think you get the money back if the plane sells out. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/34 "2011-09-23T19:58:55Z")
> [@Lare](#): > > How do you phrase your request? (That’s a great picture, btw.) Before I get to the check in counter, I take my ID and my credit card and slip a folded $20 between them. When I get to the counter, they usually ask if I’m checking in and then ask for my ID and CC. When they lay them out and see the $20, I sweetly say, “Oh, by the way, are there any upgrades available?” ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/35 "2011-09-23T19:59:11Z")
> [@Enderw24](#): > > High as a kite and fucking coeds? Totally worth $20. Got the first part right! I had to pass on the second because my wife thinks it’s tacky at my age. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/36 "2011-09-23T22:41:06Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > Maybe I’m coming out of left field here, but I don’t really want to see the country go this way. Too late–at least in Vegas. I started in the travel business in, I think, 1979, and this has been going on since then. I think it was more like $10 back then, though. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/37 "2011-09-23T23:10:35Z")
Makes me curious why the hotels haven’t cracked down on it. Why would anybody spend on an expensive suite if it seemed half-certain they could leverage their cheap room, and a $20 bribe, to get the expensive room? Or is this just part of the gimmick that is Vegas? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2011, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/38 "2011-09-23T23:21:10Z")
> [@Sal\_Ammoniac](#): > > Makes me curious why the hotels haven’t cracked down on it. Why would anybody spend on an expensive suite if it seemed half-certain they could leverage their cheap room, and a $20 bribe, to get the expensive room? Or is this just part of the gimmick that is Vegas? I think a lot of the people who would pay $700 a night for a room would be embarrassed to pay $70, if you know what I mean. So anyone who wants a $700/night room can and will get them but if the room hasn’t sold and you can get a guest to pay $70/night for it and endear them to your hotel for life, it’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/39 "2011-09-24T00:20:20Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Some airlines are actually offering to sell the middle seat to couples for half price. I think you get the money back if the plane sells out. AFAIK, half price of the full airline price is not \*that \*great of a deal. I seem to recall that you can even do better online than the bereavement price they give to passengers traveling to a funeral. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2011, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320/40 "2011-09-24T00:55:19Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > I seem to recall that you can even do better online than the bereavement price they give to passengers traveling to a funeral. The bereavement price isn’t anything special; it just waives the advance purchase discount, since (presumably) the death was unexpected. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-twenty-dollar-trick-have-you-used-it/597320.md?page=3)