complimentary upgrade

Meaning

A complimentary upgrade is a free improvement to a better class of service or a nicer room than the one you originally paid for. It is commonly offered by hotels, airlines, and car rental agencies as a gesture of goodwill or a loyalty reward. The word 'complimentary' simply means free of charge in a professional context.

Examples

• Because it was our honeymoon, the front desk agent gave us a complimentary upgrade to a suite.

  Because it was our honeymoon, the front desk agent gave us a complimentary upgrade to a suite.

• If you are a frequent flyer, you have a much higher chance of getting a complimentary upgrade to business class.

  If you are a frequent flyer, you have a much higher chance of getting a complimentary upgrade to business class.

• The car rental agency was out of compact cars, so they offered me a complimentary upgrade to an SUV.

  The car rental agency was out of compact cars, so they offered me a complimentary upgrade to an SUV.

• I was pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary upgrade to a club-level room with lounge access.

  I was pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary upgrade to a club-level room with lounge access.

• Can we request a complimentary upgrade if the hotel is not fully booked?

  Can we request a complimentary upgrade if the hotel is not fully booked?

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They gave me a free upgrade for complimentary.

  ✓ They gave me a complimentary upgrade.

  'Complimentary' is an adjective that modifies 'upgrade.' You do not need to use 'for' or treat it as a noun here.

• ✗ The hotel offered a complementary upgrade.

  ✓ The hotel offered a complimentary upgrade.

  'Complementary' (with an 'e') means completing or fitting together well. 'Complimentary' (with an 'i') means free of charge.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since the flight was overbooked, the gate agent offered me a ___ to first class.

  💡 A free improvement to a better seat class.

  Show answer

  complimentary upgrade

• We got a ___ to a sea-view room because our original room's AC was broken.

  💡 An adjective meaning 'free' combined with the noun for a better room.

  Show answer

  complimentary upgrade