Does Mobile Check-In Hurt Your Chances of a Las Vegas Hotel Upgrade?
If there’s one hill I’ll happily die on when it comes to Las Vegas hotels, it’s this:
Skip mobile check-in.
I know that’s probably not what the casinos want to hear. Every major resort is pushing guests toward their mobile apps. They promise shorter lines, digital room keys, and a faster arrival.
But I’m not flying across the country to save five minutes.
I’m trying to get the best room possible.
Over more than ten trips to Las Vegas, I’ve turned basic complimentary rooms into Strip-view rooms, renovated rooms, tower upgrades, a one-bedroom suite, and even walked away with a $200 food credit simply by talking to the person behind the front desk.
None of those upgrades came from an app.
Every single one started with a conversation.
So does mobile check-in hurt your chances of getting a Las Vegas hotel upgrade?
In my experience, absolutely.
Does it make upgrades impossible? No.
Does it make them less likely? I believe so, and after years of staying everywhere from budget resorts to luxury casinos, I’ve got plenty of reasons why.
Table of Contents
Why I Never Use Mobile Check-In in Las Vegas
I’ve actually tried mobile check-in exactly once.
It didn’t even work.
I was staying at Paris Las Vegas and figured I’d skip the long front desk line by checking in through the app. Sounds easy enough, right?
Wrong.
The app wouldn’t accept my ID.
After wasting time trying to get it working, I ended up doing exactly what I was trying to avoid.
I got in line and checked in with a real person.
Looking back, I’m glad it happened.
Instead of getting whatever room the computer wanted to assign me, I walked away with an upgraded room overlooking both the Strip and the pool.
If the app had worked perfectly, I probably never would’ve had that conversation.
That experience reminded me why I’ve always preferred talking to a real person.
The Problem With Mobile Check-In
The biggest issue isn’t the technology.
It’s what you lose.
When you check in through an app, you’re removing the only person who can actually improve your stay before it even begins.
A computer isn’t going to smile because it’s your anniversary.
A kiosk isn’t going to hear you’re celebrating your wife’s birthday.
An app isn’t going to say,
“Let me see what I can do for you.”
That’s what front desk employees do.
They have options.
Sometimes it’s a higher floor.
Sometimes it’s a better view.
Sometimes it’s a renovated room.
Sometimes it’s a completely different tower.
Sometimes it’s something you never even considered asking for.
The app is designed to move people into rooms as quickly as possible.
The front desk is designed to help guests.
Those aren’t always the same thing.
My Experience Using the $20 Trick
People ask me all the time if the famous “$20 Trick” still works.
My answer is simple.
It has for me.
Over more than ten Las Vegas trips, I’ve booked the cheapest complimentary room my casino offers allowed and tried my luck at check-in.
My routine has stayed almost exactly the same.
I walk up to the desk.
I place a $20 bill between my ID and my credit card.
As the employee separates them, I smile and say something like,
“I was just wondering if there are any complimentary upgrades available. We’re celebrating my wife’s birthday.”
Sometimes it’s our anniversary.
Sometimes it’s another special occasion.
Sometimes we’re just excited to be back in Vegas.
Then I wait.
That’s it.
No pressure.
No demands.
No entitlement.
Just a polite request.
The Best Vegas Hotel Upgrades I’ve Received
People sometimes assume the $20 trick only works at luxury resorts.
That hasn’t been my experience.
I’ve received upgrades across all kinds of Las Vegas properties.
Here are some of my favorites.
Flamingo Las Vegas
This is still my favorite upgrade ever.
I booked a standard complimentary room.
After using the $20 trick, I was upgraded into a One Bedroom Suite.
That room completely changed the trip.
Instead of feeling like we had a place to sleep, it felt like we had somewhere to actually hang out.
To this day, it’s one of my favorite Vegas upgrades.
One of my biggest upgrade successes came at the Flamingo, where the $20 trick turned a basic complimentary room into a One Bedroom Suite. You can read the full experience in my Flamingo Las Vegas Review.
Luxor Las Vegas
Luxor has actually taken care of me more than once.
One trip, I booked a free Pyramid room.
After talking with the front desk, I was upgraded into a Tower Room with a wet bar.
That alone made the vacation feel more upscale.
Another visit produced one of my favorite Vegas stories ever.
I’ll get to that in a minute.
MGM Grand
A standard complimentary room became a renovated room.
That may not sound exciting until you’ve seen the difference between some of the older MGM rooms and the renovated ones.
It made a huge difference.
Paris Las Vegas
After my failed mobile check-in attempt, I checked in with an actual employee and received an upgraded room overlooking both the Las Vegas Strip and the pool.
That view alone was worth waiting in line.
Excalibur
A standard room turned into a Strip-view room.
Again, it wasn’t a suite.
But waking up and looking out over Las Vegas instead of a parking lot absolutely improved the trip.
Cosmopolitan
Another Strip-view upgrade.
Views matter.
You’re in Las Vegas.
Spend a few minutes at the desk if it means spending the next four nights looking out over one of the best skylines in America.
Fremont Hotel & Casino
Instead of a noisy room overlooking Fremont Street, I was moved higher up and farther away from the noise.
Not every upgrade has to be flashy.
Sometimes a better night’s sleep is the best upgrade of all.
My Favorite Upgrade Wasn’t Even a Room
One trip at Luxor taught me something I’ll never forget.
I walked up to the desk and did exactly what I always do.
Twenty dollars between my ID and credit card.
A smile.
A polite request.
I asked if there were any complimentary room upgrades available because I was hoping to get another Tower Room with a wet bar.
The employee spent nearly ten minutes looking.
Finally he looked up and apologized.
Nothing was available.
He started handing my $20 back.
I pushed it back toward him.
“No, you keep it. You tried.”
A few seconds later he smiled.
“Well…you just earned yourself $200 in food credits.”
I couldn’t believe it.
No room upgrade.
No suite.
No better view.
Instead, we received $200 worth of food.
That’s exactly why I always tip.
Sometimes people are so focused on getting something that they forget there’s another human standing on the other side of the counter.
Being kind matters.
Does the $20 Trick Always Work?
No.
And anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.
You’re already in Las Vegas.
The $20 trick is simply your first gamble of the trip.
Worst case?
You’re out twenty bucks.
Best case?
You end up with a room worth hundreds of dollars more than the one you booked.
Sometimes you’ll get a suite.
Sometimes you’ll get a better tower.
Sometimes you’ll get a nicer view.
Sometimes you’ll get food credit.
Sometimes you’ll get nothing.
That’s Vegas.
Does the Hotel Matter?
People always ask me which hotel is easiest.
Honestly?
I don’t think that’s the right question.
I’ve received upgrades at budget resorts.
I’ve received upgrades at mid-tier properties.
I’ve received upgrades at premium casinos.
From my experience, your attitude matters a lot more than the logo on the building.
Every front desk employee knows people ask for upgrades.
You’re not the first.
You won’t be the last.
They also deal with rude people all day long.
If you walk up smiling, have your documents ready, say please and thank you, and genuinely seem excited to be there, you’re already making their job easier.
That goes a long way.
My Biggest Tips for Getting a Las Vegas Hotel Upgrade
After more than ten Vegas trips, here’s what I’d tell any friend visiting Las Vegas.
Skip Mobile Check-In
If your goal is getting the best possible room, don’t let a computer assign it.
Talk to a person.
Be Nice
Seriously.
Kindness works.
Entitlement usually doesn’t.
Keep Your Expectations Realistic
Don’t demand the presidential suite.
Ask whether any complimentary upgrades are available.
There’s a huge difference.
Have Everything Ready
Have your ID.
Have your credit card.
Don’t waste the employee’s time.
Mention Your Celebration
Birthday.
Anniversary.
First Vegas trip.
Whatever it is, let them know.
They’re in the hospitality business.
If you’re celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion during your trip, don’t be afraid to mention it at check-in. It certainly didn’t hurt on the trip where Nikki and I got married in Las Vegas—read the full story in What Happens When Two Degens Get Married?.
Don’t Get Weird About the $20 Trick
The employees know what’s happening.
You’re not fooling anyone.
Just be respectful.
If they can’t help you, they can’t help you.
Don’t argue.
Don’t complain.
Move on and enjoy Vegas.
Timing Matters Too
I’ve noticed something else over the years.
I almost always arrive between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM because that’s when my direct flights from Michigan usually land.
I’ve never paid for early check-in.
I’ve also noticed my upgrades seem easier during the week than on busy weekends.
That makes sense.
When occupancy is lower, hotels have more flexibility.
If you’re arriving during a huge convention, a holiday weekend, or a major sporting event, don’t expect miracles.
Inventory is inventory.
A Quick Side Note About Mobile Check-In
This isn’t the main reason I avoid it, but it’s something I think about.
Every time we replace a front desk employee with a phone app or kiosk, that’s one less job being done by a real person.
I’d rather spend a few extra minutes talking to someone than let another machine replace another employee.
If that conversation also gets me a better room, that’s just an added bonus.
Final Verdict
So…
Does mobile check-in hurt your chances of getting a Las Vegas hotel upgrade?
In my opinion, yes.
Could you still receive an upgrade?
Absolutely.
But you’re giving up your biggest advantage before your vacation even starts.
Over more than ten trips to Las Vegas, I’ve upgraded basic complimentary rooms into Strip-view rooms, renovated rooms, better towers, a one-bedroom suite at Flamingo, and even received a $200 food credit simply because I walked up to the desk and treated the employee with respect.
None of those moments happened through an app.
Every one of them started with a conversation.
If you ask me, that’s reason enough to skip mobile check-in every single time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does mobile check-in prevent hotel upgrades in Las Vegas?
Not completely, but it can reduce your chances. Mobile check-in often assigns your room before you ever speak with a front desk employee, eliminating one of your best opportunities to request a complimentary upgrade.
Does the $20 trick still work?
In my experience, yes. Over more than ten Las Vegas trips, I’ve received everything from better views and renovated rooms to a one-bedroom suite and even a $200 food credit. It isn’t guaranteed, but it’s worked often enough that I’ll keep doing it.
How much should you tip for the $20 trick?
Traditionally, most people use a $20 bill. Whether you receive an upgrade or not, remember you’re asking someone to go above and beyond. Always be respectful and appreciative of their effort.
Should I use mobile check-in if I don’t care about my room?
Sure. If your only goal is getting into your room as quickly as possible, mobile check-in can be convenient. But if room location, views, tower upgrades, or complimentary upgrades matter to you, I recommend speaking with a front desk agent instead.
What’s the biggest mistake people make when asking for a room upgrade?
Being demanding. A polite attitude, realistic expectations, and genuine appreciation will usually get you much further than acting like you’re entitled to a free upgrade.
MGM Resorts actively promotes app-based arrival through its official mobile check-in and digital key system, but convenience does not always give you the best chance at a better room.
