Texas Traveling Tips: How to Get Free Hotel Perks

Having to travel either for work or even for vacation can really drain your battery fast. Having to worry about whether your hotel has free breakfast, a gym, a pool, or even a microwave in your room are just some of those little things that can damper anyone's mood.

This is why AARP provided some expert travel tips for any Texan to remember if they want their trip to be as stress-free as possible. The key ingredient here? Be kind!

Director of lifestyle at a Virginia hotel chain Harry Francis mentions that the nicer you are towards hotel staff, flight attendants, and venues, the higher chance you have of earning perks not typically given to "standard" guests.

When guests are kind, curious and engaged, staff naturally want to go the extra mile. That good energy tends to come right back around — sometimes in the form of an unexpected room upgrade.

Opportunities for Extra Perks for Free!

A common tactic that is used by school children is often the hardest concept for adults to wrap their heads around. Just ask! The old adage is true: the worst they can say is no.

Take those hotel snacks and bottles of water for example. Everyone knows those can run a hefty bill. It's always worth an ask to hotel staff if there are any complimentary snacks or water available to you. Always with a smile, of course.

This can be applied to any extras like more ice, pillows, soaps and shampoos and even bottled water.

Late Check-Outs and Free Upgrades

Checking out later is another opportunity that often goes unnoticed. If the front desk at your hotel isn't noticeably busy, you can always call and politely ask, "if it's not too much trouble, may I check out a little later than I'm scheduled?"

Finally, room upgrades are always coveted by travelers of all shapes and sizes. Nothing a polite phone call to the front desk before you arrive can't fix. Perhaps they say no, but there's always a chance they have an upgraded room available on a slow day, you never know.

Again, these aren't methods that are intended to work every time, they are just your best bet at testing the waters. Always remember that kindness leads to kindness.

If none of these work, just know that being nice to venue staff is always a must. You taking your travel frustrations out on staff members only makes both your days worse.