Hotel perks can make a stay more comfortable, but they are often misunderstood. Some benefits are included in your rate, some depend on loyalty status, and others are discretionary requests that may or may not be available when you arrive.
The useful approach is to know which perks are realistic to ask for, when to ask, and what might cost extra. A polite request can help, but a request should never be treated as an entitlement.
Useful perks are the ones that improve your actual stay, not just the longest list of extras. Photo: Cory Bjork / Unsplash.
Hotel perks at a glance
| Perk | When it may be available | Guaranteed? |
|---|---|---|
| Early check-in | Room ready before normal check-in | No, unless purchased/included |
| Late checkout | Low occupancy, status benefit or paid option | Usually no |
| Room upgrade | Higher category available at arrival | No, unless booked |
| Better room location | Quiet floor, higher floor, away from lifts | No |
| Luggage storage | Before check-in or after checkout | Common but property-specific |
| Breakfast | Rate inclusion, status or package | Only when included |
1. Early check-in
If you arrive before the official check-in time, ask whether a room is already available. Hotels often cannot promise this because it depends on departures and housekeeping. If early access is essential, ask whether a paid guaranteed option exists instead of relying on a request.
2. Late checkout
Late checkout can be valuable when you have an evening flight or train. Ask the day before departure or early on checkout day. Availability depends on occupancy, housekeeping schedules and loyalty benefits. Some hotels charge by the hour or offer a half-day rate.
3. A room upgrade
An upgrade is one of the most requested hotel perks, but complimentary upgrades are never something to assume. They may be offered because of loyalty status, a package, operational needs or simply because a better room is available.
If the view, balcony or suite layout really matters to your trip, book that category instead of depending on an upgrade.
4. A better room location
Requests for a quiet room, a higher floor, a room away from lifts, or a particular bed configuration can be more realistic than asking for a full category upgrade. Add the request before arrival and confirm it politely at check-in.
5. Luggage storage
Many full-service hotels hold luggage before check-in or after checkout, sometimes free of charge. Policies vary, so confirm directly if you need storage for several hours, overnight, or for unusually large items.
6. Extra pillows, blankets or practical items
Hotels may have spare pillows, blankets, adapters, kettles, toiletries or other basic items available on request. Availability varies by property and country. Ask reception before buying something immediately.
7. Breakfast and food benefits
Breakfast may be included in a room package, loyalty status or club-level rate. Do not assume reception can simply add complimentary breakfast because you ask. Compare the breakfast-inclusive rate with the room-only rate before booking.
8. Parking, transfers and local transport
Some hotels include parking or airport transfers in specific packages. Others charge substantial fees. These are best checked before booking because they can materially change the total cost of the stay.
9. Family-related perks
Family properties may offer cots, high chairs, kids-club access, children’s menus or connecting-room options. Some are free and some are paid. Confirm age rules and availability in advance, especially during school holidays.
10. Special occasions
If you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon, it is reasonable to mention it when booking. A hotel may add a note or small welcome gesture, but nothing should be expected unless it is part of a paid package.
11. When should you ask?
- Before booking: guaranteed inclusions, parking, transfers, breakfast and family facilities.
- After booking: room-location preferences and special requests.
- At check-in: room availability, possible upgrade and late-checkout options.
- During the stay: practical items or help with a genuine problem.
12. Ask for the perk that actually improves your stay
A free upgrade sounds attractive, but a quiet room, late checkout or included breakfast can be more valuable in practice. Decide what matters before check-in and ask for one or two realistic things rather than a long list of extras.
13. Put important requests in writing
If a room location, cot, accessible feature or airport transfer matters to the trip, add it to the reservation and confirm it directly with the hotel. A note in an OTA booking is useful, but it is not always a guarantee that the property has confirmed the request.
14. Accessibility is not the same as a discretionary perk
If you require an accessible room feature, do not treat it like a casual request for a nicer view. Contact the property before arrival, explain the exact requirement and ask the hotel to confirm the room setup in writing where possible.
15. Booking direct can matter—but compare first
Some loyalty benefits and direct-booking perks only apply to eligible reservations made through the hotel or brand. That does not mean direct is always cheaper. Compare the same room, dates and cancellation conditions first.
See our Hotel Booking guide.
16. Do not confuse requests with entitlements
Staff may be unable to provide an upgrade, late checkout or early room because the hotel is full or because the benefit belongs to another paid rate or loyalty tier. Asking politely is reasonable; arguing that a discretionary perk was “promised” by a travel hack is not.
17. What can actually save money?
The perks with the clearest financial value are usually breakfast, parking, transport, resort credits, late checkout that replaces a day room, or a room setup that avoids booking a second room.
Compare their real value rather than adding up inflated retail prices.
18. Compare perk value, not marketing language
A “$50 resort credit” is only worth $50 if you would genuinely spend it. Breakfast for two can be valuable in an expensive city but almost irrelevant if you prefer local cafés.
A simple check-in script
You do not need a complicated “travel hack.” A clear request works better: “If you have any quieter rooms away from the lift available, I’d really appreciate one. If not, the booked room is absolutely fine.”
This makes the preference clear without pretending it is guaranteed.
More hotel-booking help
Use the Travel Booking Toolkit to compare the adjusted value of two hotel offers. For broader savings, see How to Find Cheap Hotels, Hotel Discounts Explained and Hotels.com Rewards Explained.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Hotel perks and loyalty benefits vary by property, brand, rate and occupancy.