In general, be nice to the employees, and they'll be nice to you, too. I know that if I have one person call down to the desk and politely ask for extra towels/pillows/whatever, and another person demand them, the one that was courteous is getting his stuff first. I'll get to the other person eventually, but that's after I take care of everything else I can think of that needs done in the entire building.

Most hotel chains have some sort of membership program. That can often get you a better rate or free upgrade to a nicer room.

If you stay at the same hotel frequently, or are staying for an extended period of time, you might be able to negotiate a better rate.

Various other things that can get you discounts--AAA, AARP, senior citizen, government employee, military, visiting a local college, bereavement rates, group bookings, and corporate rates if you work for a company that uses the same hotel regularly.

Always double-check the relevant information for the hotel before your trip. You have no idea how many times I've had people arrive to check in only to find that they had actually booked at a different hotel. It's particularly inconvenient for them when this happens on a night that we're sold out, and we have no room for them because they booked in Grove City, OH, instead of Grove City, PA.

And if you're traveling with a pet, the first question you ask should ALWAYS be if the hotel takes pets. And make sure you check with the specific hotel, because it isn't always the same even within the same chain.

Today's shirt on http://www.teefury.com/ is excellent.

Don't get the Mummy... drunk!

I took my daughter to see The Used and Taking Back Sunday this weekend. The show was in Des Moines which is 3 hours away. Drove home after the show and didn't get back until 2:30am Sunday morning. I think I'm getting too old for that ####.

Thank you for the good tips. Must give others rep before I give it to vampires again.

I am waiting.

I only rep the employed.

I am waiting.

I only employ the repped.

I only employ beef flaps.

You're all lost without me!

Who are you again?

wintremute, why hast thou forsaken me?

twice more before the #### crows!