Marriage might have its perks, but the honeymoon is a distinctly special occasion – marking the moment couples begin a new chapter after tying the knot. 

And let’s be honest, the freebies and room upgrades aren’t bad either.

Honeymoons, especially those spent at a luxury hotel in a dreamy destination, can be especially sweet: think complimentary welcome drinks, chocolates, fresh flowers, room service vouchers, and even the chance of a surprise upgrade.

But after months – or even years – of stressful wedding planning, getting the relaxing experience you deserve might be trickier than expected.

As wedding season kicks into full swing, Google searches for ‘honeymoon upgrade’ have surged by 195 per cent in the past three months – but for legitimate newlyweds, this could open the door to disappointment. 

A controversial trend has emerged on social media encouraging travellers to fake their honeymoon for free upgrades, such as free drinks, a better room, or room service vouchers.

One content creator, known as @rod.davis35 on TikTok, recently went viral for uploaded a video in which he shared his ‘unethical travel hack’.

Urging viewers to ‘fake a honeymoon at check-in,’ he added: ‘You’d be surprised how many upgrades, free drinks, or room service vouchers you can score with a simple, “It’s our honeymoon!”‘

Marriage might have its perks, but the honeymoon is a distinctly special occasion - though an 'unethical' social media trend could open the door to disappointment for newlyweds

Marriage might have its perks, but the honeymoon is a distinctly special occasion – though an ‘unethical’ social media trend could open the door to disappointment for newlyweds

Many expressed enthusiasm for the hack in the comments, as one viewer said, ‘I’ll have to try this out, sounds like a great idea!’ while another wrote, ‘Did this and got a nicer room and cakes and wine on arrival, worth it.’

Others explained how this could cause issues for other travellers.

One warned: ‘As a receptionist: if you are on a REAL honeymoon and don’t get special attention, you can say thank you to all these liars who try every other day.’

A hospitality worker revealed hotel staff are now cracking down on fraudsters and establishments are tightening their policies, adding: ‘Maybe that’s why our resort required a copy of the marriage license for their free honeymoon package.’

Thankfully, travel experts at Travel Republic have shared their top three tips for getting a real upgrade on your honeymoon this summer.

Before you even book, they advised discussing honeymoon deals with your travel agent or hotel.

Many places offer special discounts, packages, or perks to newlyweds if you flag it in advance – and you might even save money on your whole trip. 

If you’re hoping to mention your honeymoon at check-in, be prepared with proof. 

If you're hoping to mention your honeymoon at check-in, be prepared with proof. A marriage certificate, a recent name-change on your passport, or even a wedding photo can help show your marriage is the real deal

If you’re hoping to mention your honeymoon at check-in, be prepared with proof. A marriage certificate, a recent name-change on your passport, or even a wedding photo can help show your marriage is the real deal

A marriage certificate, a recent name-change on your passport, or even a wedding photo can help show your marriage is well and truly the real deal. 

Lastly, it’s true what they say: ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.’ 

A polite request can go a long way – just don’t assume you’re entitled to anything. 

Not all hotels or resorts offer upgrades, and they may be subject to availability, so it’s wise to pre-book any must-do experiences ahead of time.



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