Last updated on October 22, 2022
Las Vegas is a city that receives hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, which means it works on tips. It's also a place where everyone wants to upgrade to living like a high roller. Tips for getting a basic room upgrade are known. That's why the $20 trick has been popular for years.
Let's take a look at what the $20 trick is and whether it still works today.
What's the $20 trick?

The $20 trick, sometimes called the sandwich trick, is a $20 tip sandwiched between the ID required and the credit card required at the front desk. In the past, this was a great way to get a free upgrade. The theory is that the front desk agent would give you a free room upgrade because you tipped them extra.
Of course, free room upgrades are never guaranteed, but tipping the receptionist between your driver's license and credit card has always been a good way to snag room upgrades or maybe a few restaurant coupons.
Does the $20 trick work?


While the $20 Vegas-style front desk check-in gimmick has provided free room upgrades over the years, most front desk agents have seen it a million times. Because they've seen it so often, the receptionist is now less likely to offer free upgrades with just a $20 bill between their ID and credit card.
Some guests have resorted to giving the hostess anything more than a twenty dollar bill. More money might help, but an upgraded room isn't a guarantee. There's no definitive answer as to whether it will work, but you can always try.
Get free upgrades to Las Vegas
So if the $20 check-in trick doesn't often work anymore, how are you supposed to get a room upgrade? Well, if you're looking for a better room on a higher floor or perhaps one with a view of the Strip, it doesn't hurt to ask the desk clerk. Sometimes they can offer a nice upgrade, resort credit, strip views, or even some waivers.resort fees.
While standard rooms in Las Vegas are fine on their own, many of them lack stunning views, a huge stone fireplace, or in-suite amenities. Your best bet for getting a free upgrade to a larger room is to ask if there's anything available on a higher floor. Worst case scenario, you can try the $20 trick after ordering first.
common questions
Does the $20 Las Vegas Trick Still Work?
The $20 gimmick is unlikely to work in Las Vegas because they've seen it so many times in recent years. Try requesting any available free room upgrades.
Or $20 gimmick works doesn't Caesars Palace Las Vegas?
Sometimes. It depends on how full the hotel is, the mood of the hotel employee, and a variety of other factors. I was able to see the Bellagio fountains from my room at Caesars for a $20 tip, which is better than just a view of the Strip.
In short
If you're looking for a room upgrade on your first trip to Las Vegas, you might want to consider trying the $20 hack. These days, though, you're probably better off asking for an upgrade to better rooms with a great view on a very high. high. Just make sure you ask nicely! Good luck!
FAQs
Can you refuse to pay resort fees in Las Vegas? ›
You legally can and should refuse to pay any hotel resort fee. For more information on how to do that, visit here. So what to do if I go on a trip to Las Vegas?
How does the $20 trick work? ›The $20 trick is executed by sandwiching a $20 bill between your driver's license and credit card when checking into the hotel. While handing over the $20 sandwich, most guests also ask if there are any complimentary room upgrades available.
Does the Vegas sandwich trick work? ›Yes and no. Just like anything else, the sandwich trick is successful on a case-by-case basis. Some hotel clerks are more receptive to it than others, and some hotels have more flexible upgrade policies than others.
Does the $20 trick work at Paris Las Vegas? ›Yes, the $20 Trick at Paris Las Vegas is a great way to get free upgraded rooms, complimentary food and drink, and other perks. According to our users, the $20 Trick works 82% of the time at Paris Las Vegas. All you need is a $20 bill, confidence, and a willingness to try it out.
How do I get rid of resort fees in Las Vegas? ›- Stay at a hotel that doesn't charge resort fees. ...
- Use points to book your room. ...
- Use your elite hotel status. ...
- See if you can get resort fees comped. ...
- Ask the desk clerk or manager to waive the fee. ...
- Dispute the charge with your credit card.
The cheapest time to visit Las Vegas is during the off-seasons. Those are mid-November through the end of February and mid-May through mid-September. Most casinos run specials on rooms during this time and several promotional programs to get people to visit.
What is the cheapest way to get around in Las Vegas? ›The cheapest way of getting around Las Vegas is via public transportation. For the most convenient way of getting around the Strip, take advantage of the Las Vegas Monorail. The 4-mile air-conditioned, elevated system runs along the Las Vegas Strip from 07:00 and stops between 00:00–03:00, daily.
How much do you tip for room upgrades? ›Ask for directions for anywhere, after the agent shows you, compliment their service and tip them. $20-$50 will get you very very far as of these upgrades are $100+/night, $20 is fraction of the cost. Either that or just give it to them. So from an agent at a luxury hotel, yes it works and will for every hotel.
How much money should I bring to Vegas? ›So, How Much Money Should I Bring to Vegas? The average visitor spent $1,461 per trip when you add up each category above from the 2021 LVCVA profile survey. That total breaks down to about $318 per day, based on the average 4.6-day trip.
Who has the loosest slot machines in Las Vegas? ›Circus Circus Has the Loosest Slots on the Strip
It's the casino's win percentage depending on the likelihood that a player will win at their slot machines—a statistic that all casinos are required to report to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
How do you win big slots in Vegas? ›
- 1.) ALWAYS INSERT YOUR SLOT CLUB CARD. ...
- 2.) PLAY ONLY WHAT YOUR BANKROLL CAN HANDLE. ...
- 3.) BE CERTAIN YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. ...
- 4.) ONLY PLAY ONE MACHINE AT A TIME. ...
- 5.) NEVER PLAY NEXT TO SOMEONE WHO IS WINNING. ...
- 6.) STAY WITH A HOT MACHINE. ...
- 7.) OBSERVE OTHER PLAYERS WHO ARE WINNING. ...
- 8.) ABANDON A COLD MACHINE.
As evidenced above, the best places around Las Vegas to play slots are the Boulder Area (6.28% casino win percentage) and North Las Vegas (7.46% win percentage). What is this? As tends to be the case year after year, Reno is an outlier boasting a player-friendly 5.49% casino win percentage.
What is the best way to get a complimentary room upgrade at a Las Vegas hotel? ›Simply ask politely for a hotel room upgrade
Instead, I recommend simply asking for a complimentary room upgrade at check-in. Usually, if the hotel isn't running at capacity, you'll receive it if available.
Do you offer an airport shuttle? We do not offer shuttle service, however commercial shuttle busses are available 24 hours daily outside of baggage claim and depart the airport every 15-20 minutes. The ticket price is $15 per person one way and discounted round trip fair is $18 (price subject to change).
Does the $20 trick work at Caesars Palace? ›For the budget-minded traveler, you've likely heard of the “$20 trick.” This is a strategy in which you slip the front desk clerk a $20 bill when checking in and ask for an upgrade to your room or suite. Does it work? According to our users, Caesars Palace has a 90% success rate for this tactic.
Can you decline resort fee at hotel? ›You cannot simply refuse to pay resort fees, but — just as some hotel employees are occasionally empowered to compensate you — the employee might have authority to remove your resort fee. Just understand that this is the exception, not the norm. And while it doesn't hurt to ask, it helps to ask nicely.
Do hotels ever waive resort fees? ›Many hotels will waive the resort fees on stays booked with points. Hyatt and Hilton always waive resort fees when you book a room with points. Wyndham will also waive resort fees, although there is a good amount of crowdsourced data that suggests their implementation of this policy is spotty.
Can I get my resort fee back? ›Is a resort fee refundable? No, resort fees typically aren't refundable. These are a required cost at many hotels and resorts, which means you'd have to pay these fees when making your booking online or paying for your stay at the hotel.
What is the cheapest day of the week to fly to Vegas? ›After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that the cheapest date to fly to Las Vegas is Wednesday, March 15, 2023.
What is the slowest week in Las Vegas? ›Hotel prices also skyrocket when big conventions and special events are taking place. The slowest times of year are parts of January and February; late June through August; the week before Christmas; and the week after New Year's. If a major convention is to be held during your trip, you might want to change your date.
How many days in Vegas is enough? ›
Five days is ideal for a first-time Vegas itinerary. This way, you can see the best attractions on and off the Strip and have plenty of time to take in all the sights. Start with a tour on the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus, which will take you down the Boulevard and through downtown.
Does Las Vegas have free shuttles from the airport? ›Yes, there are free shuttles that go to the Las Vegas Strip. They operate on a first come, first served basis, so you should plan accordingly.
How much is a shuttle from Las Vegas airport to the Strip? ›Cost of Las Vegas taxi and private shuttle from the airport to the Strip. Las Vegas airport taxis and private shuttle services offer a flat-rate fee of around $23 USD (€18.50) to get to the Las Vegas strip from McCarran International Airport.
Is there a free shuttle in Las Vegas? ›The Downtown Loop is a free shuttle servicing the exciting attractions in downtown Las Vegas including: Bonneville Transit Center - First Street, South of Bonneville Avenue. The Arts District - Art Way and Boulder Avenue.
Should I tip the front desk at a hotel? ›Pro tip: Tip everyone: While most travelers know to tip a bellman or valet, few leave anything for the front-desk agent—despite their enormous power to influence the quality of your stay. “The front desk isn't a tipped position, so when you do tip, it makes them beholden to you,” Tomsky said.
How do hotels decide which room you get? ›"The front desk agents are the ones who choose a room for you when you check in, choosing from the available inventory. If you call beforehand, you can talk to a front desk clerk and ask about the best rooms, like corner rooms, a room on a higher floor, away from the elevators and ice machines."
Are higher floors better in hotels? ›Next time you are booking a hotel room, you should make sure it isn't any higher than the fourth floor. A travel risk expert has revealed the best way to stay safe at a hotel – and rooms below the second floor are advised against as well.
How many outfits should I bring to Vegas? ›Add to your Vegas packing list one fancy outfit for each night of your stay. These outfits should work for an upscale dinner, gambling night, or even a wild night at the club.
How much cash can you bring back Vegas? ›You might be surprised to learn that there is no limit on how much cash you can cross the border with. However, if you travel with more than $10,000 USD then you must declare it. You can find the official statement on this at the US Customs and Border Protection website.
How much does the average person spend gambling in Las Vegas? ›People who came to Las Vegas gambled an average of $717.51 in 2021 — about $126 more than in 2020, according to the Las Vegas visitor profile released last week. They spent an average of three hours a day gambling in casinos, and stayed an average of 3.6 days and 4.6 nights. About 75% of all visitors gambled.
What are the luckiest slot machines in Vegas? ›
- Wheel of Fortune. ...
- MegaBucks. ...
- The Monte Carlo. ...
- Triple Red Hot 7s. ...
- Double Jackpot. ...
- Mega Moolah. ...
- Diamond Queen. ...
- Piggy Bankin.
- Ugga Bugga 99.07% RTP - Playtech. This curious offering is unlike other slots. ...
- Mega Joker, 99% RTP - NetEnt. This NetEnt classic is beloved by slots fans. ...
- Jackpot 6000, RTP 98.8% - Netent. ...
- Blood Suckers, 98% RTP - NetEnt. ...
- White Rabbit Megaways, 97.77 RTP - Big Time Gaming.
Well, mathematically speaking, there is no difference whether or not you are playing one slot or moving around the casino. Due to the fact that slots are built around RNGs, and the consequence of every spin is totally arbitrary, you'll get the same fate whether you play at one slot the entire day, or move around.
What time is best to play slots in Vegas? ›Many gamblers prefer hitting the casino after midnight or around 2 a.m when there's less traffic and increased chances of betting against high rollers. Con of evening gambling: Like going to the casino on weekends, expect more packed tables and slots during peak evening hours and fewer games available to play.
What casino has the loosest slots? ›- Circus Circus Las Vegas. Source: @circusvegas. What is this? ...
- Luxor Hotel and Casino. RTP: Average 91.92% Location: 3900 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas. ...
- Paris Las Vegas. What is this? ...
- New York New York. RTP: Average 90.99% ...
- Mohegan Sun at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Source: @mohegansunlasvegas.
So, the best way to win at the casino with $20 is to implement a stop-loss limit. This limit can make your $20 feel like $200. Basically, a stop-loss limit is an amount you predetermine that you are allowed to lose before you stop playing.
Is it rude to ask for a room upgrade? ›The short answer is that it isn't considered particularly rude to ask for a room upgrade. Most of the time, when a superior room is available, you may get a free upgrade just by asking the receptionist. Usually, just being friendly and polite can do the trick.
Is it easy to get comped rooms in Vegas? ›For those interested in getting a comped suite in Las Vegas, this is something that should always be pre-arranged. Often times, the suites on the Las Vegas Strip are only available to casino players how are receiving them as a comp. That's right, some hotels do not even offer the suites at retail to paying guests.
Do Vegas hotel rooms get cheaper closer to date? ›Despite what you may see and think, there are no “last minute reservation” discount prices. However, you don't want to be too far out either, since the hotels will be pricing things at an average expected rate that may later turn out to be higher than what they settle on based on how busy they get near your stay dates.
What is the cheapest way to get around Vegas? ›The cheapest way of getting around Las Vegas is via public transportation. For the most convenient way of getting around the Strip, take advantage of the Las Vegas Monorail. The 4-mile air-conditioned, elevated system runs along the Las Vegas Strip from 07:00 and stops between 00:00–03:00, daily.
Is the monorail free in Las Vegas? ›
Each tram is free for riders and independently operated by the various hotels and casinos they service.
What is the room fee for Caesars Palace? ›Resort Fee and Other Mandatory Fees
Guests may be required to pay the following mandatory fees: Resort fee: $52.10 per room, nightly. Deposit (cash or card): $100 per room, daily.
You legally can and should refuse to pay any hotel resort fee. For more information on how to do that, visit here. So what to do if I go on a trip to Las Vegas?
What month is the cheapest to visit Las Vegas? ›The cheapest time to visit Las Vegas is during the off-seasons. Those are mid-November through the end of February and mid-May through mid-September. Most casinos run specials on rooms during this time and several promotional programs to get people to visit.
Does the 20 trick work at Bellagio? ›Does the $20 trick work at Bellagio? According to our user reviews, Bellagio has a 80% success rate, however don't expect big room upgrades. Most often the $20 Trick at Bellagio will provide an upgraded view-that's it.
Is a resort fee optional? ›Resort fees are usually charged to cover amenities like wifi and gym access, but they're not optional and you have no choice but to pay them even if you choose not to use the amenities they cover.
Why do resort fees exist? ›The American Hotel and Lodging Association said that resort fees pay for a range of hotel amenities, such as pool use, gym access, towel services, Wi-Fi, newspapers, shuttle service, daily parking. They state that the resort fee is a payment for a group of services.
Do hotels know how much water you use? ›“Hotels consume a significant amount of water in the U.S. and around the world,” an EPA grant to the University of Tulsa reads. “Most hotels do not monitor individual guest water usage and as a result, millions of gallons of potable water are wasted every year by hotel guests.”
What happens if you don't finish paying at hotel? ›First, if you fall behind in your payments, the hotel owner must give you a written notice demanding full payment within 14 days. If you do not pay what you owe by the time the 14 day period ends, the landlord may start an eviction against you. The hotel or motel owner can also ask you to leave by giving you a notice.
How much is the resort fee at Caesars Palace? ›Advisory A minimum mandatory hotel-imposed resort fee of $52.10 (tax included) per room, per night, will be charged and collected by the hotel at check-in or check-out. This fee is subject to change without prior notice.
What is included in a resort fee? ›
What the resort fee covers. Resort fees are mandatory daily charges—typically ranging from $25 to $35—tacked onto the room rate that cover access to on-site facilities and amenities such as pools, gyms, beach chairs, Wi-Fi and more.
How much is the resort fee at the Westin Times Square? ›Standard room rates do not include the hotel's Destination Fee charge of $25 per room per night, plus local and state taxes.
How much is Mirage resort fee 2023? ›...
Las Vegas Resort Fees – Strip Hotels.
Resort | Resort Fee | Tax Included? |
---|---|---|
Mandalay Bay | $39 | No |
MGM Grand | $39 | No |
Mirage | $39 | No |
New York New York | $37 | No |
Many hotels now charge mandatory "resort fees" that can cost as much as $45 per room per night. These fees include items and privileges, ranging from local telephone calls to internet access to the coffee maker in your room. Parking may or may not be included in this daily resort fee.
When did resort fees start? ›Resort fees existed as early as 1997. 1 After hotels began charging resort fees, consumers complained that they were surprised by the fees and often did not learn about them until arriving at the hotel.
Do resort fees cover tips? ›While resort fees may include certain hotel services, amenities, and access to different areas, they do not include tips or gratuity for hotel staff.
Why does Vegas charge a resort fee? ›By charging this separate fee, Las Vegas resorts are able to make their properties look less expensive on online travel agency websites (OTA's) like Hotels.com, Orbitz, Travelocity, etc. As an added bonus, resorts avoid paying OTA's a commission on that part of the rate as it's billed directly to the customer.
Is a resort fee per person? ›No, the resort fee is one fee for the entire room, not per person. It is per night of your stay. Was this article helpful?