Already Booked?
Let's Make It Better.
Same hotel. Same rate. A better stay.
IYKYK
Your booking, upgraded.
The Glow Up is for clients who already have a direct hotel booking and want more out of it. You found the hotel, you made the reservation — we step in, transfer it into our partner network, keep your rate exactly as it is, and layer on complimentary perks through our Virtuoso, Preferred Hotels, and Belmond Bellini Club access.
No rebook. No rate change. Just a stay that got a little more interesting.
Eligibility
This works if you booked direct with the hotel, you're within 30 days of booking, and haven't paid in full. If you're outside that window, reach out anyway — sometimes it's still possible.
The Perks
Friends With Benefits
Eligible bookings unlock complimentary benefits designed to personalize and elevate your stay. Specific perks vary by hotel and rate.
Preferred Status
Meaning your name gets put at the top of the list
Room Upgrades
A little more space to stretch, settle, or simply be
Daily Breakfast
Fuel for the soul or a day of exploration and adventure
Spa/Dining Credits
Dining or spa credits to cancel the guilt of indulging
Early Check-in
For the early birds and those eager to lay poolside
Late Check-out
Because getting out of that luxurious bed isn't easy
Human Touch
We're real people who can make magic happen
No Fees
All we ask for is a little patience to do our thing
Our Network
Hotel Partner Programs
Through Fora Travel's advisor network, we book directly into the world's most coveted hotel partner programs. Each one unlocks a different mix of upgrades, credits, breakfast, and welcome amenities — at the same rate you'd find online.
For every partner, we've noted what makes them a strong choice for queer travelers — citing HRC's Corporate Equality Index, IGLTA membership, and brand-specific Pride programs where applicable.
Accor
Preferred
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- ALL Bonvoy points still earned
IGLTA Global Partner — formal worldwide partnership for inclusive hospitality across 5,500+ Accor properties (Sofitel, Fairmont, Raffles, Faena, SLS).
Belmond
Bellini Club
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD F&B credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Welcome amenity
The only luxury hotel brand with an LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. IGLTA-aligned, with brand-wide inclusion training and Pride journeys on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Hilton
for Luxury
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD hotel credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Hilton Honors points still earned
HRC CEI 100. 'Stay Hilton, Go Out' Pride packages at 460+ properties — running since 2012.
Hyatt
Privé
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Hyatt loyalty points still earned
HRC CEI 100 (18 consecutive years). IGLTA Global Partner, GLAAD partner, NYC Pride Platinum Sponsor since 2019.
IHG
Destined
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- IHG One Rewards points still earned
HRC CEI 100 (8+ consecutive years). 'Out and Open' employee group; sponsors of London Pride, Atlanta Pride (15+ years), and Pride Guadalajara.
Marriott
LUMINOUS
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Bonvoy points still earned
HRC CEI 100. Marriott's long-running 'Love Travels' campaign and a sponsor of WorldPride DC 2025.
Marriott
STARS
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Bonvoy points still earned
HRC CEI 100. Marriott's long-running 'Love Travels' campaign and a sponsor of WorldPride DC 2025.
Shangri-La
Luxury Circle
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD property credit
- Room upgrade if available
- Early check-in / late check-out
- Welcome amenity
Shangri-La The Shard (London) flies the Pride flag year-round — '365 days of Pride.' Brand-wide D&I training and a partnership with myGwork.
Perks above are typical inclusions — specifics vary by property and rate, and we'll confirm what your selected hotel includes before completing the transfer. Many other brands are also in our network, so if you have a hotel in mind, ask and we'll check.
How it works
It's Giving: Effortless
Think of us as your behind-the-scenes travel concierge — quietly upgrading your experience, one stay at a time.
Send us your booking confirmation
Hotel name, your dates, and your confirmation number. That is all we need to get started.
We verify eligibility
Typically within 30 days of booking and not yet paid in full. We confirm whether the property qualifies and what perks your rate can unlock.
We transfer the reservation and layer on perks
Your rate stays exactly as you booked it. We move the reservation into our partner network and add complimentary breakfast, upgrades, and property credits on top.
You show up and take up space
Perks in place. Room upgraded. Champagne possibly waiting. All you have to do is check in and enjoy.
Start Here
Let's Glow Up
Your Next Stay
You already picked the hotel. We take it from here.
FAQs
Some things you should know.
Will the hotel know you took it over?
Yes. Your reservation will show Bestmates as the booking agent through our partner program. The hotel sees this — it's how the perks get guaranteed. Your name, dates, and room preferences stay exactly as you set them.
What if I'm past the 30-day window, or already paid in full?
Reach out anyway. The 30-day window is a guideline, not a hard wall. Some properties will still honor a transfer beyond that point. Fully-paid reservations are harder to work with, but we'll tell you what's possible for your specific hotel and rate.
Can I keep my points, status, and elite recognition?
Yes. When we transfer eligible bookings, you still earn loyalty points, elite nights, and your status is recognized. In many cases your status benefits and Glow Up perks stack on top of each other.
Is there any cost to me?
None. No booking fees, no hidden charges, no markup. We're compensated by our hotel partners, so this service is complimentary — always.
How long does the transfer take?
Usually a day or two once we've confirmed eligibility. We'll give you a realistic timeline based on the specific property and program. Nothing changes on your side until we confirm everything is in place.
Who is this service for?
Anyone who already has a direct hotel booking and wants more out of it. We're proudly queer-owned and rooted in community, but The Glow Up is open to anyone who appreciates travel done well.
Don't have a booking yet? A self-service hotel-booking tool is on the way. Until then, our Full Trip Planning service handles fresh hotel bookings end-to-end.