How to get honeymoon upgrades, according to travel experts

When it comes to a honeymoon, everything feels special – and with clever requests it can be even more spectacular. Think everything from free room upgrades and champagne to bigger offers like free meals or unique experiences. Hotels, airlines and restaurants often do their best to make your honeymoon unforgettable. All it takes is a little planning and knowing when to ask. Here’s an insider’s guide to all the honeymoon benefits.

Experts from this article

Rabia Malik is a Fora travel advisor specialized in honeymoons and couples trips.

Doug Chant is a catering professional and director of Fairmont Gold at the Fairmont Royal York in Toronto.

Jason Marcus is co-owner of Hotel Lilien, located in the Catskill Mountains in New York.

How to get honeymoon upgrades, according to travel experts

Make sure you create (and use!) a loyalty account

This one is pretty obvious, but it has to be said: for flights and hotels, make sure you have a bill with the airline or hotel program and use it for your reservation. This way, even if you don’t get any perks this time, your loyalty can pay off for the next trip by collecting miles or hotel points, especially if you spend money.

Hotel loyalists often receive a welcome treat or other amenities, such as late check-out. All major hotel chains, such as Accor Hotels, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt and IHG, have loyalty programs, but even small boutique hotels can be part of a network or have a loyalty program. It doesn’t hurt to check (and participate).

Know where you are more likely to receive benefits

“Hotel upgrades and welcome amenities are typically easier to secure than flight upgrades because flights tend to prioritize frequent flyer status and have limited availability,” says Foral Travel consultant Rabia Malik. “Hotels tend to have more flexibility, especially when it comes to offering room upgrades or special honeymoon amenities like champagne or dessert upon arrival.”

For flights, please contact the check-in desk and gate agent

You may be able to get a flight upgrade at the check-in counter and gate agents; they can see the plane and make adjustments to the seat. (Once you’re on the plane, it’s pretty much too late, as flight attendants rarely, if ever, get to upgrade fliers. Their job is to manage the flight.)

If you’re checking in luggage, talk to the check-in desk and casually let them know you’re going on your honeymoon. If you are not checking in luggage, do the same at the counter (you can get a printed boarding pass). They can’t always do something, but being kind is step one.

If you have not received an upgrade upon check-in, you can also inform the gate agent before the flight. (“We’re going on our honeymoon and wondering if there are any upgrades available?”) They might quote you a price or miles instead of Free.99, but it’s worth a try (and a look – often upgrade at the airport much cheaper).

Know that you may have better luck with other flight benefits

You may not be able to get an upgrade (airlines are very interested in status), but you can get things like champagne, free drinks or other little perks by mentioning your honeymoon to the flight attendant. Even if they only congratulate you verbally, other fliers may overhear and give you some of their loyalty drink tickets. (It’s me, I’m a benevolent flyer.)

Please tell the hotel in advance – as soon as possible

Notifying the hotel in advance of your check-in is the easiest way to prepare them for the possibility of preferential treatment. “The sooner you contact us with as many details as possible, the more likely you are to have that ‘wow’ moment,” says hospitality expert and Fairmont Gold director Doug Chant. “We love creating personalized experiences, so don’t be afraid to share personal stories, favorite items and interesting details about your wedding so we can tailor the experience. The biggest general tip is to reach out directly as early as possible to take with your accommodation.”

Make it an email

And no, you don’t have to do that over the phone; a godsend for introverts. Malik says: “(You can) send a polite, friendly email to the hotel prior to your stay stating that you are celebrating your honeymoon, or mention this during online check-in prior to arrival. Hotels often appreciate know about special occasions in advance and can offer special touches or upgrades without you having to ask in person.”

As mentioned, many hotels have pre-arrival questionnaires that you can also use to indicate that you are going to celebrate your honeymoon. “Our reservation system offers a special space to note special occasions, so that’s an easy way to request something special without in-person contact,” says Jason Marcus, co-owner of Hotel Lilien.

Don’t be too specific

“We are more likely to offer perks when guests simply tell them they are celebrating a special occasion than when they ask for something specific for free, in part because it brings us joy to surprise and delight people!” says Marcus. The exception to the rule is if you are sober or do not want alcohol in your room. Sparkling wine is often a favorite among hotels, so let them know in advance if you prefer that. non-alcoholic drinks is super helpful.

That said, you can mention your preferences

“The best way to generate interest is to share an interesting fact or fun request. This way you stimulate our creativity and we can offer you a unique experience,” says Chant. The difference: Asking for a free bottle of champagne versus saying your partner has always loved the local sparkling wine in the area and would like to go wine tasting.

Use travel agents or consultants if you want guaranteed VIP treatment

A travel agent or advisor is one of the greatest ways to almost guarantee something special. (And with more and more people – especially Gen Z (These days, using travel agents is an easy way to get those perks.) “Through our relationships with top hotels, we can often secure complimentary upgrades, welcome amenities and personal touches that make your honeymoon extra special,” says Malik. “Hotels always want to impress our guests and honeymooners in general, so having an advisor can make a big difference in the level of service you receive during your stay.”

Travel agents can also offer “benefits” that are completely free and bookable. “Advisers often have insider knowledge about destinations and hotels, such as which rooms offer the best views or where to find the most romantic dinner in town,” Malik points out.

Ask nicely

If you’ve arrived and they don’t mention an upgrade or other treat (although there may already be one in the room), you can always ask nicely. “At check-in, mention that you are there for your honeymoon and how excited you are to stay with them. If they don’t automatically offer an upgrade, it’s fine to politely ask if any available rooms offer better views or more space,” says Malik.

Marcus agrees and recommends that couples say, “If there are rooms available for a free upgrade, we are celebrating our honeymoon, and this would make our experience truly special.” Marcus adds, “It never hurts to give a friendly review either!”

Let restaurants know

While you note for your hotels that it is your honeymoon, be sure to update your dining reservations with the notice as well. You can usually do this while making a reservation, or call ahead. And don’t assume they know because you’re dining on site at your hotel. “You can also let your server know if you’re dining on site so you can enjoy the benefits,” says Marcus.

Samantha Leal is a lifestyle writer, editor and editorial consultant who writes about beauty, wellness, travel, drinks and more – basically all the good things in life. She has held editorial roles at The Knot, Latina magazine, Marie Claire and Well+Good, and she has written for PS, Bustle, Vogue, Teen Vogue, Glamour, Travel + Leisure, Byrdie, StyleCaster, The Zoe Report and more.