Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

TikToker Shares Her Mom's Hack For Getting Free Snacks From Hotels—And We're Impressed

TikToker shares how her mom scores free snacks at hotels
@thejuliabaird/TikTok

TikToker @thejuliabaird explained how her mom always calls ahead to arrange for her to get a free gift basket of goodies when she stays at hotels—and then had her mom reveal her surprisingly simple and effective method.

Make us preferred on Google

Let's be honest—sometimes traveling is a real pain to get through, and even the hotel experience can be more on the "blah" side.

But Julia Baird confided to her TikTok community how her mom cracked the code to getting free snacks and drinks at the hotel, making the whole ordeal a little bit sweeter.


In her first video, Baird teased:

"If you or your mom isn't calling the hotel every time you travel, you are doing something wrong."

You can watch the video here:

@thejuliabaird

My mom always makes travelling feel special - even when she’s not with me 🥹 #traveltips #hotelperks #travelhacks #hotelhack

Immediately intrigued, many TikTokers came forward, wondering what exactly Baird and her mother are saying to the hotel staff to score the free items.

In a second video, Baird interviewed her mom, asking:

"Okay Mom, the internet wants to know what you say to get free hotel snacks."

Baird's mother's secret was actually refreshingly simple.

"Well, first, I give them a phone call, I try to build a rapport with the person who answered the phone, I tell them a little bit about myself and who I would like to send a little gift to."
"Then I just see if there is anything that they can do to help make the stay a little bit more special for the person."

Baird was sure there had to be more to it.

"You don't ask for anything specific? You just ask if they can do something?"

Baird's mother confirmed:

"I just ask if they can do something. I'll just say there's an anniversary, or a birthday, or Valentine's Day, and I'm not there, and I kind of miss my loved one, and I ask if they could send something special."
"Just ask. Just go for it. You don't get it if you don't ask."

As an example, Baird then showing that they had received a free bottle of Prosecco wine and a cute box of chocolates after Baird's mother called and said they were going out to celebrate her daughter's engagement, and she wanted to know if the hotel could do anything to make the evening in the hotel a little more special.

You can watch the video here:

@thejuliabaird

Replying to @Zoe 🫶🏼 Mama knows best! Should i share more of her hotel/travelling tips?! #hotelhacks #travelhacks #hoteltips #traveltipsandhacks

One TikToker was especially excited to give the conversation a try.

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

Others who worked in hospitality confirmed a little kindness goes a long way.

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

Some shared their own experiences with doing the same thing as Baird's mom.

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

@thejuliabaird/TikTok

This is a great example of "ask and you shall receive" or "the answer will always be no if you don't ask in the first place."

Even though it's rough living the human experience sometimes, most of us get a little thrill from doing something kind for someone else, so surely the people who have spoken to Baird's mother likely had a little smile on their face when Baird checked into her hotel room.

Whether traveling for fun, for work, or traveling through the holidays alone, sometimes a bottle of wine and some candy is exactly what it takes to lift someone's spirits.

More from Trending

Donald Trump
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Unveils Photo Of 'Newly Revamped' West Wing Entrance Makeover—And Critics Have Some Thoughts

President Donald Trump was criticized after sharing a picture of the latest update to the entrance of the White House West Wing that made the historic landmark look more like a signature Trump hotel.

The Oval Office has been significantly revamped since Trump took office in January 2025—it features, among other things, a fireplace adorned with gold cherubs and medallions, surrounded by portraits of American statesmen in ornate gold frames and shelves filled with gilded figurines, urns, and freshly installed Rococo mirrors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Nicolle Wallace; Marco Rubio and Donald Trump
MS NOW; Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Nicolle Wallace Offers Hilariously Brutal Suggestion For 'Addled' Trump Amid 'Bizarre' NATO Press Conferences

MAGA Republican President Donald Trump has been participating in the NATO Summit in Ankara, Turkey, since Tuesday afternoon, but the visit has been anything but successful for the embattled POTUS.

Trump's appearances before the international press on hand for the summit have been rife with gaffes that have the domestic and international communities both amused and concerned over the 80-year-old's continued cognitive decline.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fashionista Rihanna attends the 2026 Met Gala, celebrating "Costume Art" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Rihanna Applauded For Powerful Response To Cancer Patient Who Apologized For Looking 'Terrible' Without Wig

Rihanna’s latest viral moment has nothing to do with music, fashion, or beauty launches. Instead, fans say the singer helped someone shine bright “like a diamond” after reassuring a cancer patient who apologized for not wearing a wig during an unexpected meeting.

The nine-time Grammy winner, 38, made a fan’s day during a recent trip to a supermarket, where she posed for a photo and offered words of encouragement after learning the woman was living with cancer and feeling self-conscious about her appearance. The interaction appeared in Jason Lee’s video series, Jason Lee Unlocked: Grocery Shopping with Rihanna, released on Monday, July 6.

Keep ReadingShow less
Catherine Zeta-Jones; Bonnie Tyler
Monica Schipper/Getty Images; Christian Augustin/Getty Images

Catherine Zeta-Jones Pens Touching Tribute To Singer Bonnie Tyler After Death—And Fans Are Emotional

Bonnie Tyler, singer of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero," died on July 8, 2026, just a month after her 78th birthday.

She was in a hospital in Portugal, and she died unexpectedly from the illness she was being treated for.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Rasmus Svaneborg; Mark Rutte
@atrupar/X; Altan Gocher / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images

Reporter Puts NATO Secretary General On The Spot With Brutal 'Self-Respect' Question About Trump

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte found himself on the spot after Danish reporter Rasmus Svaneborg questioned whether sitting silently beside President Donald Trump as he discusses "conquering" Greenland and criticizing allies has impacted his "self-respect."

Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, has been forced to manage Trump's repeated criticism of NATO while contending with his public insistence that the United States should acquire Greenland from Denmark.

Keep ReadingShow less