Rhiannon Hendricks
Planning a honeymoon can be an expensive affair, but there are ways to save money and get upgrades. From flight upgrades to hotel perks, there are many ways to increase the odds of getting an upgrade or two. It is important to be polite and ask for upgrades, and to be shameless about letting people know you are on your honeymoon. This can be done by mentioning it in casual conversation, wearing hubby and wifey shirts, or even just asking if there are any upgrades available for honeymooners. Some couples have been upgraded to first class, while others have received free drinks, flowers, chocolates, or a room upgrade. It is also possible to use credit card points or rewards programs to increase your chances of an upgrade. Planning your trip during the low season can also help increase your chances of scoring upgrades and other perks.
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What You'll Learn
Use a travel agent to scout for upgrades on your behalf
If you and your partner would rather have a travel agent plan your honeymoon, you can ask them to scout for upgrades on your behalf. Travel agents have working relationships with airlines and accommodations and can use these connections to find upgrades for you. They can also help you navigate the complexities of airline and hotel loyalty programs to increase your chances of an upgrade.
For example, if you have accrued credit card points, a travel agent can advise you on how to best redeem them. They may suggest using them for an expensive long-haul flight, such as New York to Honolulu, as this is often more worthwhile than spending them on shorter trips. Similarly, your points may have a higher cash value with a hotel loyalty program than an airline, which could mean a sweet room upgrade for your honeymoon.
Travel agents can also help you navigate the intricacies of airline policies. For instance, it is a security violation to upgrade passengers to first class or business class without prior screening. However, a travel agent may be able to secure you a better seat in economy or more legroom, especially if the plane is not full.
Additionally, travel agents can recommend destinations and times of the year when upgrades are more likely to be available. Travelling during the shoulder or low season can increase your chances of a room upgrade, dining freebies, and resort credits. They can also suggest hotels that are more likely to offer complimentary upgrades due to lower occupancy rates.
Finally, a travel agent can take care of the administrative tasks involved in securing upgrades. They can make special requests on your behalf when booking and follow up with the necessary parties to increase your chances of a positive response. This leaves you free to enjoy the excitement of your upcoming honeymoon.
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Book during the off-season for better availability
Planning a honeymoon can be an expensive affair, but there are ways to make it more affordable. One way to increase your chances of getting an upgrade is to book during the off-season.
Travelling during the shoulder or low season can increase your chances of getting a room upgrade, dining freebies, and resort credits. This is because hotels often have lower occupancy rates during these periods, which means they may have unsold rooms and suites available for complimentary upgrades. They use these upgrades as a way to boost customer loyalty and improve your experience.
Additionally, booking during the off-season can also help you secure better flight deals. Airlines are more likely to offer complimentary upgrades to fill up their seats, and they often choose passengers with the most airline points or rewards program memberships. So, if you have accrued credit card points or rewards, this could be a great way to redeem them and enjoy a more comfortable flight.
It's important to note that while booking during the off-season can increase your chances of getting an upgrade, it is not a guarantee. However, it is still worth considering as it can help you save money and potentially improve your overall honeymoon experience.
To further increase your chances of getting an upgrade, you can also try other strategies such as mentioning that you're on your honeymoon when booking or checking in, using a travel agent who has working relationships with airlines and accommodations, or taking advantage of rewards programs. Combining these strategies with off-season booking can improve your odds of a more luxurious honeymoon experience.
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Leverage credit card points for business-class tickets
Credit card points can be incredibly useful when it comes to booking business-class tickets. Here are some tips to leverage them effectively:
- Choose the Right Credit Card: Select a credit card that offers a generous rewards program, such as the Amex Gold card, Capital One Venture card, Chase Sapphire Preferred card, or Citi Premier card. These cards allow you to accumulate points or miles that can be redeemed for travel perks, including business-class tickets.
- Build Loyalty: It is beneficial to build loyalty with a specific airline. Airlines often choose passengers with the most airline points when they need to bump someone up to a higher class. Consider sticking to one or two airlines and accumulating points through their frequent flyer programs.
- Transfer Points Strategically: Instead of redeeming points through a credit card travel portal, which may offer a lower value, transfer your points to a partner airline. For example, point.me suggests transferring points to Air Canada's Aeroplan program to take advantage of their partnerships and book the same flight for fewer points. Similarly, you can transfer points to Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program, which has partnerships with various airlines, allowing you to book premium cabins for fewer points.
- Compare Values: Each credit card and loyalty program has its own points valuation. Compare the value you get from redeeming points for business-class tickets across different programs. For instance, American Express Membership Rewards points are often valued higher than some other loyalty program currencies.
- Book During Off-Peak Seasons: The demand for business-class seats can vary depending on the season. By booking during the off-peak or shoulder seasons, you may find saver-level business class seats, which offer a great value for redeeming your rewards.
- Be Flexible: The cost of business-class tickets in points is usually tied to their cash price. Expensive flights will generally be costly whether you're using cash or points. Therefore, be flexible with your destination choices and consider opting for long-haul flights, as they often provide a better value for your points.
- Accumulate Points: Make regular purchases using your credit card, especially in bonus categories like travel and dining, to accumulate points or miles. This will ensure you have a healthy balance when you're ready to book your business-class tickets.
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Call the hotel and tell the concierge about your honeymoon
Calling the hotel and speaking to the concierge directly is a great way to increase your chances of getting an upgrade. It is a good idea to do this once you have confirmed your reservation. When you call, be sure to mention that you are celebrating your honeymoon and how excited you are to be staying at their property. You could say something like, "We are so excited to be celebrating our honeymoon at your hotel. We were wondering if there is any chance of a room upgrade to make our stay even more special?". The concierge will likely make a note of your request, and you may be gifted perks such as flowers, chocolates, champagne, or a complimentary dinner.
It is worth noting that some sources suggest that it can be challenging to get a hotel upgrade, especially in popular honeymoon destinations where a large proportion of guests may also be on their honeymoon. However, it is still worth asking politely, and you may be pleasantly surprised. If a room upgrade is not available, the concierge may be able to offer other perks or assist with booking hard-to-get reservations or local travel tips.
To further increase your chances of an upgrade, consider booking your stay during the hotel's low or shoulder season, as this is when hotels are more likely to have unsold rooms and suites available for complimentary upgrades. Additionally, building loyalty with the hotel brand can also increase your chances of an upgrade, so consider joining their rewards program if they have one.
Finally, don't forget to tag the hotel on social media and use their hashtags when posting photos from your honeymoon. This can be a great way to show your appreciation for any upgrades or perks they provided and may even result in additional surprises during your stay.
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Be excited and bubbly when interacting with customer service
Being excited and bubbly when interacting with customer service representatives can go a long way in creating a positive customer experience and building customer loyalty. Here are some tips to achieve this:
Be Friendly and Bubbly: When interacting with customer service, it's important to be friendly and bubbly. A smile can go a long way in making customers feel welcomed and valued. Even if you're speaking to a customer over the phone, a smile can be heard in your voice. Let your excitement and happiness shine through in your interactions. Ask them how their day has been or how their drive was. This creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, making customers feel at home and more likely to return.
Display Positive Body Language: Whether it's face-to-face or over the phone, displaying positive and open body language is crucial. Relax your body, smile, and subtly mirror the customer's body language to make them feel more at ease. This helps build trust and familiarity, fostering a positive customer experience.
Go Above and Beyond: Delight your customers by exceeding their expectations. Understand their needs and preferences and see if there's anything extra you can do to make their experience special. For example, if a couple is on their honeymoon, a simple room upgrade, complimentary champagne, or a special dinner can make their stay more memorable. These gestures create long-lasting positive impressions and strengthen customer relationships.
Communicate Clearly: Clear and effective communication is key. Ensure your diction and emphasis are clear, whether in person or over the phone. Let your excitement shine through in your voice, making customers curious and excited about what you have to offer. Use positive language and be responsive to their inquiries.
Be Responsive and Available: Customers value quick and easy communication. Be available when your customers need you and provide solutions in real-time. Implement tools and procedures to automate customer issue handling, but don't forget the power of personal interaction. A responsive and user-friendly website is also essential, ensuring it loads quickly and is free of excessive pop-ups.
Build Personal Relationships: Focus on building personal relationships with your customers. Make them feel valued and important, so they choose your business over others. This can be achieved through friendly conversations, understanding their needs, and providing excellent customer service.
By following these tips, you can create exciting and bubbly interactions with your customers, leaving them with a positive impression of your brand.
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Frequently asked questions
You can try to be selected for an upgrade by standing out as a newlywed couple when checking in for a flight. You could also try to build loyalty with an airline in advance of your honeymoon.
You can ask for upgrades by mentioning that you're celebrating your honeymoon when booking or checking in. You can also try asking for upgrades directly, such as by asking "Are there upgrades available for honeymooners?"
You can try asking for an upgrade at the flight desk before your flight. It's rare to get an airline upgrade by asking, but it's always worth a shot.
You can try calling the hotel and telling the concierge that you're celebrating your honeymoon. You can also try booking through a travel agent, who may be able to scout for upgrades on your behalf.
You can try telling restaurant staff that you're celebrating your honeymoon. They may offer you a free meal, dessert, or drinks.
