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💵 Today’s Top Stories
Did you know cars with key fobs can help criminals steal your vehicle without even breaking a window? This simple purchase can keep thieves from driving off with your car any time. Read more.
Mad Men, Sanford and Son and The X-Files are among the shows you can stream without paying a single cent to a streaming platform. Read more.
Could switching to rechargeable batteries save you money? Check out our chart to see the break-even point vs. disposable batteries. Read more.
Get unlimited talk and text on the AT&T network for as little as $20 per month. Team Clark breaks down how much data you’ll get and more. Read more.
💵 Calculator of the Week
This calculator helps you estimate how much interest you can earn by depositing money into a money market account over a specific period.
🛎 How To Get a Free Hotel Room Upgrade
Two exciting words for you when it comes to hotels: free upgrade.
It’s the jackpot of hotel experiences. And you can do some things to increase your odds.
Here are four things to try according to Travel + Leisure (and four more ideas of our own).
1. Just ask.
Simple but effective (sometimes). Face-to-face conversation is the easiest way to build rapport with someone. You’re dealing with a human that may sometimes have discretion.
Instead of saying, “Can I get an upgrade?” try something like, “If you happen to have a larger or corner room available, I’d really appreciate it, but no worries if not.”
You can also drop a hint if it’s a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary.
2. Join the loyalty program(s).
Don’t become a one-brand person, Clark always warns. As that will remove the opportunity for you to comparison shop.
But even if you shop around, there’s nothing wrong with racking up rewards points at whatever hotel chain you’re frequenting. Your points and status may eventually come in handy.
3. Book during off times.
Find out when the offseason is for that area. Book midweek if you can (or maybe on weekends at corporate hotels frequented by business travelers).
4. Don’t book the cheapest possible category.
This probably flies in the face of sound financial advice if you’re trying to spend less and save more, which Clark always emphasizes.
But if you’re specifically trying to increase your chances of an upgrade, starting off at least one category above the floor room type can help.
Other ideas:
Check in later in the day (4 to 7 p.m.) when hotel attendants have a better idea of their inventory for the night.
Message the hotel ahead of time (works well if the staff pre-assigns rooms).
Try the $20 sandwich trick with your ID and credit card. This will work better in some countries and hotels.
Ask for a corner room (as we mentioned earlier in this section).
📊 Stat of the Day
💰 $3,742: The average tax refund this year, based on more than 50 million returns the IRS has processed. That’s up from $3,382 last year, or about 10.6%. As a reminder, Clark advises you to adjust your withholdings at work if you’re in this boat (he calls it “an interest-free loan to the government”).
💰 Deal Alert: Today’s Top Deals
🎙 Podcast
While Walmart is the largest grocer in the U.S., it isn't always the cheapest. Clark breaks down the latest data from Consumer Reports to reveal which grocery stores are actually undercutting Walmart’s prices. Also, Clark dives into a major shift in the airline industry as United Airlines joins the trend of prioritizing credit card holders over frequent flyers. He modifies his long-standing "free agent" advice to address how rising baggage fees are changing the math on co-branded airline cards. Is it time to add one to your wallet?
☎ Need Money Help?
The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.
