Getting a free hotel upgrade doesn’t always require elite status. We’re sharing a few simple ways to improve your odds, from asking nicely and mentioning a special occasion to messaging the hotel before you arrive. Timing can help, too, especially if you have some flexibility around when you check in. And then there’s our favorite strategy: “suite talking.”

Plus, Hilton Honors and IHG both have new promotions worth registering for. Hilton is offering up to 3,000 bonus points on eligible stays, while IHG is offering up to 3x points depending on how you book. Register now, even if you don’t have a stay booked yet, so you don’t forget when you do.

And if you’re someone who needs their hotel room at approximately 60 degrees to sleep, we have a thermostat trick that could help. We’re also sharing why you should put an AirTag in every checked bag.

Rove is a free travel rewards program that lets you earn transferable Rove Miles on hotels, flights, dining, and shopping using the credit cards you already have.

The real standout is hotels. Book a Loyalty Eligible rate through Rove and you can earn Rove Miles alongside your hotel points and elite night credits. Departure Digest listeners get a 1,000-mile welcome bonus instantly upon joining.

Lost bag? File the claim before you leave the airport. It gets a lot harder to get compensated once you've left baggage claim.

Have a travel or points question? Submit it here and it may be featured in a future episode.