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You don’t need to pay extra cash or rely on a lucky upgrade to an available room on the concierge floor to get access to one of the greatest hotel luxuries…the concierge lounge! This wonderful room for hotel guests offers friendly service, free breakfast, snacks and sometimes even beer and wine. During my travels of the United States for mostly work (and some pleasure), I’ve used the following tips to help get access into the relaxing concierge room.

Flickr.com (Photo taken by Jason Kuffer)

1) Reward Status

Diamond. Platinum. Gold. Silver. Whatever your reward status, it’s worth its weight in gold when it comes to trying to get access to the concierge lounge. Your chances of trying to get receive access to the concierge lounge for free will be in much better shape if you have at least sometime of status at the hotel chain. So sign up for those programs as they are free to join anyways! Already in the upper echelon of a hotel chain’s reward program (Marriott Rewards, Starwood Points, Hilton Honor, etc…)? If so, you probably will automatically be given access to the concierge floor and lounge. My current full-time job requires me to constantly travel throughout the United States to reach my clients so I’m all about the airline, hotel and rental car rewards programs. I still have been able to get access to the the concierge room even though I have not reached the highest tier of enrolled hotel reward programs.

2) Asking Nicely

Being arrogant and shouting at the front desk employee or manager won’t get you that far if you want free access to the concierge lounge. We are all humans so acting civilized when politely asking to have access to the concierge lounge can go a long way. The worst is that they tell you “No” but at least you brightened up their day with a smile.

3) Off Peak

The majority of people staying at most city hotels are there for business during the weekdays. This will be the opposite at resort hotel destinations away from major centers of business as most vacations begin on weekends. This makes getting access to the concierge lounge for free a tad bit easier as less paying guests will be there to use this amenity reserved for frequent guests. You might have some trouble trying to get free concierge lounge access if you are arriving at the hotel during their peak demand.

4) Harmless Bluffing

I’ve always felt a tad bit guilty using this strategy when checking-in but it could help sway them to give you access. I was once checking into the Marriott Cleveland Downtown at Key Center and told them, “…the last time I stayed at this property I was given concierge lounge access, why don’t I get it this stay?”. Did I stay at the hotel before? Yes. Did I have access to the lounge on the previous stay? No. Did I get access after saying that? Of course! I didn’t feel completely guilty as I was technically a repeat guest and would be in the future. It only made sense that I should be treated with lounge access for my repeat business I was giving them.

5) Your Appearance

I’m pretty sure that showing up in a ripped hooded sweater with tight sweatpants (sorry for the mental image) will probably not give a guest better chances on getting access. This tip reminds me of Catch Me If You Can, when Frank Abagnale’s father asks his son why the Yankees always win, which the father answers, “…it’s because the other teams can’t stop staring at those damn pinstripes.” Wearing some threads that portray you as being classy will help when using these other tips to get free concierge lounge access.

These tips might not be helpful for you lucky travelers with all you god-like status at hotels but for poor souls like myself, getting free lounge access is a moral victory. Share your tips or stories on how you got free concierge lounge access!