Don't hesitate to negotiate.

Consider which components of your stay matter to you, and when you're on the phone with the reservations staff, request them. "If you don't like what's included in a package, ask the hotel to substitute something else," advises Deuschl. "There's no harm in asking if you can substitute a tennis session for a spa treatment. The worst that can happen is they'll say no." Hennessey points out that hotels will also be "more willing to waive extra fees if you make an argument to the front desk." For instance? "You could say, 'I don't want to pay a resort fee for towels and use of the spa because I didn't use the towels or the spa.' "

If you're celebrating a special occasion, say so.

Don't be shy about letting the reservations manager know ahead of time if it's your honeymoon, an anniversary, a birthday, or any other special milestone. Hoteliers want to make such occasions memorable so you'll return someday—and so you'll tell your friends and they'll come too.

At check-in, ask whether any rooms with better views are available.

If there are superior rooms that are going to be empty for the night, some hotels may provide a complimentary—or very cheap—upgrade. "Say you've booked a garden-view room," says Bruce Siegel, Ritz-Carlton's vice president of sales for the Caribbean. "You could say,?'Is an ocean view available—or an oceanfront room?' Many times the hotel will offer you a special rate or an upgrade based on availability." Siegel also advises, "Ask if any value-added offer has become available since the time you made your booking."

Join the hotel's frequent-guest program.

Always sign up, since some benefits kick in immediately and attaining elite status can happen quickly. "Hilton gives you elite status after only four stays," Brancatelli says. "You get bonus points, free Internet, a room upgrade. Elite Status means much more to hotels these days than it does to airlines."