The upgrade trick worked for most of the parties in our group, ($20-$100 bills). One party got a larger room than us but we definitely enjoyed not being near ground level or by the elevators. We opted for a quieter room overlooking the strip. The pool area does play loud music but stops around 10PM. If you want to grab breakfast food, go to one of the Starbucks' (inside or outside corner on the street just outside the car/lobby area) because the grill inside always has lines in the morning.