I want to stay at a top of the line resort. The thing is how do I avoid paying full price? Also, what tips do you have for ways to get my room "comped". Also, how do I get a superior room category but not pay for it? And lastly, what is the best way for me to demand a better room even if the resort is fully booked.

I'll continue your annoying thread about ridiculous questions people ask.<BR><BR>I want a world class resort with perfect service and half naked perfectly sculpted women all around for less than $75/night. Meals included.<BR>Which resort fits this description?

I too am looking for a great place to stay and it must be 5 star. All women at this resort must weight at least 200pds thus ensuring I will always feel thin. I have to be able to bring my two dogs and allow them to run loose while children are boarded while their parents are on vacation. Lastly the resort must only serve vegan/vegetarian foods.

you might try to post derogatory comments like Lori did in hopes that the resort will give you a free stay to make it up to you

Actually I was going to reply seriously to cheep's query. I've always stayed at top of the line resorts (no, NOT Sandals, real top of the line resorts), never paid full price and almost always gotten upgraded. <BR><BR>Since I now see that you're being facetious, I'll keep my tips to myself. My motto is, never pay retail.

Nina:<BR><BR>Well aren't you SOMETHING! What do you do? Pretend that your a travel writer, scam some discount by misrepresenting yourself. Pester people. I would luv to know.

Nina: I never pay retail on anything if I can help it (mark-ups and profit margins are so huge)and this includes vacations. I'm with you on this one so please reconsider posting your tips. I, for one, would love to hear them.

Well, a lot of us get free rooms for frequent traveling, probably for business so we have in fact "earned" this. Free loader why don't you work like the rest of us.<BR>You are a pain in the back side.

Here are some tips for Mary, and my fellow fodorites who are interested in saving money. <BR><BR>First I check travelzoo.com, moments-notice.com and luxurylink.com EVERY DAY. They have awesome deals on all of those sites.<BR><BR>I always book the least expensive room in the best hotel. Then when we check in, we are very nice, polite and friendly with the front desk staff and ask if their are any club, deluxe or upgraded rooms open. If so, we ask if we could possibly be upgraded. 9 times out of 10 they do it. I have to say my husband has an incredible gift for chatting with people and getting them to like him immediately. Most people are happy to help out.<BR><BR>We belong to every hotel program (Hyatt Platinum, Hilton HH Honors,Marriott, Starwood, Loews) and always let them know we are members when checking in. They will give preference if you are a member.<BR><BR>Really pay attention to the promos in these programs, my husband travels a lot but can't be bothered with keeping track of points, miles, etc. This fall we are staying 3 free nights at the Stanhope in NY (this is a beautiful hotel, rack rates are over $500/night) and the Hyatt in Newport. If you travel for business these nights can really add up.<BR><BR>When staying at the Swan in Disneyworld and Hard Rock at Universal I emailed the General Manager and requested a Club room since I was a returning guest and a member of their programs. They both emailed me back and said they would upgrade us to the club level.<BR><BR>If you don't really have a specific hotel in mind, check Expedia, hotels.com, USAhotelguide.com, hotelkingdom.com and compare prices. All the different sites have vastly different pricing for the same night in the same hotel.<BR><BR>Also, check biddingfortravel.com to see which hotels go at what prices on priceline. I was going to Boston and wanted to stay at the Westin Copley Plaza. It was the only 4 star hotel in Copley that worked with priceline at the time, so I knew I would get it if I bid. I got the room for $ 65.00 a night in high season.<BR><BR>I've never scammed anyone, pestered anyone or misrepresented myself, all it takes is a little homework and a great personality. Something I'm afraid Cheep is severely lacking in. I doubt if the front desk personnel would go out of their way for Cheep. Here's a hint though Cheep, never demand anything.

Nina. I apologize for my call girl comment (looks like it was deleted anyway). Based on your reply, your post was for real and not a joke, i.e. like the actual orginal post itself. Thanks for your helpful tips. Most appreciated.

Anita, I never saw it, too bad, I love good sarcasm, even if it's directed at me!

Hey Nina. It's so funny that it was deleted b/c it was really tame (unlike a lot of the stuff on here anymore). Here it is again (let's see how long it stays):<BR><BR>Maybe Nina is a high class call girl. I'll bet she gets to stay at alllllll the nice places (wink wink).<BR><BR>See, totally harmless. <BR><BR>Anyhoo, I know you are for real now and not a jokester. Really liked your comments on the other thread btw . . . the one where lonely planet Rick shows up and tries to rain on everybody's fun vacation.

Thanks for the explanation, Nina.<BR>Very useful.

You're right, I'm sure high class call girls get to stay at all the nice hotels! You think maybe they think I really AM a call girl?? <BR><BR>It's got the makings of a great new show on E!, Nina, former escort and current host of "Hot Spots for the Hot to Trot". I think we have a winner.

Nina: great tips, I guess that am not nervy enough to ask for something I didn't pay for. Also, there seems to be a lot of people on this board who use any excuse to get their hotel rooms "comped".

C'mon Cheep, you can do it. Look at it this way, you still paid a pretty penny for a standard room, if the hotel has empty rooms why wouldn't they want to really make the guest happy and let them upgrade? It soesn't cost them anything, and the customer goes away feeling great about the hotel and telling everyone what a great place it is. They get some positive PR from it.<BR><BR>I always let hotels know that I'm a repeat visitor (I really am), and I do have a big mouth so I'll let everyone know just how nice Elbow Beach in Bermuda is (they upgraded us last October).

Hey Nina, "Hot Spots for the Hot to Trot" . . . love it. LOVE IT! And it's got to be way better than the Anna Nicole Smith show ;-) Hmm, maybe it's the same thing.<BR><BR>I completely agree with you re. speaking up. There's no harm in asking. If they have many rooms available, they might just upgrade you. Worst case scenario is that you get the room you reserved.

Hello Nina,<BR><BR>Have you ever tried the $20 trick at any of the hotels in the Caribbean. Not a reference to hookers. Give the desk clerk a $20 on check-in with your CC and ask for a special room with a view etc. I did in Vegas and it worked great, I was upgraded to a suite without any extra charge. <BR><BR>Don

Never had to cough up any tips on the sly for the upgrade. Check in and it is offered if available unless you are the type who might show off and gets stuck in the standard room because bad behavior is not rewarded but class is. Check out the various clubs and rewards since you can use miles or points for stays. It's not free because you spent the money to earn the points but sure is a great reward. AmEx, Marriott, Starwood, Hilton AA and other frequent flyer clubs are but a few that will earn you free flights, free nites.