Can you negotiate a room upgrade at the front desk in Egypt and how much should you tip?
Based on 1 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 7 days ago
TL;DR
Yes, front desk upgrades are common in Egyptian resorts — $20 cash usually works, sometimes with a small gift. Prices are rising though; some hotels now charge $100+ or $10/night per upgrade tier.
What the community said
The situation is changing: while $10–20 used to be enough, some hotels now charge $10 per night per upgrade tier or a flat $100 for moving from a booked superior to a better room. The tip-for-upgrade scheme no longer works reliably.
1 day ago $10/night or $100 flat fee
Arriving late and tired, one traveler got a pool-view room by handing the receptionist $30 and a chocolate bar. The staff member asked them to wait, checked in other guests first, then gave them a good room. $20 likely would have worked too.
15 days ago $30 + chocolate bar → pool-view room
At resorts built on a hillside with steep terrain, ask for a room in the middle section rather than the top — it's more convenient. Offering $20 and specifying your preferred location is usually enough. A top-floor room only makes sense if you need a specific room type like a family suite.
16 days ago $20 → mid-level room on hillside resort