Know check-in, check-out and no-show rules

Sometimes hotels can “get you” even if you think you’re doing everything right. Example: Ask for early access to your room and you might be charged an extra fee or even for an extra day. Check out a day ahead of schedule and you could be billed an “early departure fee.” Fail to cancel by the hotel’s deadline (sometimes days in advance of arrival) and you’ll likely pay for the first night.

I recommend: Go to hotel Web sites for check in, check out and no-show rules. If they are not clearly stated, call the hotel directly (not the reservation number). At QuickBook, Hotels.com, and Hotwire.com look for details on check-in and cancellation policies. At Fodor’s, find first-hand hotel guest reviews.

Look for free Internet access and use your cell phone to make calls

Accessing the Internet or making phone calls from a hotel room can be fraught with undisclosed charges. While most hotels make some attempt to list telephone charges, policies are inconsistent and often you won’t know until you check out what the calls cost. It can be a shocker.

I recommend: When making calls from your room, use your cell phone, a prepaid phone card or credit card instead of simply dialing out through the hotel’s phone system. If you’ll be tapping into the Internet frequently from your room and your laptop is Wi-Fi equipped, look for hotels that offer free wireless Internet access. If none is available, ask the hotel to waive the connection fee; often they will do so, especially if you are a return guest.

Pass on room service and don’t open that mini-bar

At the end of the day, you’re beat and you don’t feel like going out for dinner so you consider raiding the hotel room mini-bar or ordering something from room service instead. Unless you want to pay $7.00 for a one-ounce bag of peanuts, $9.00 for a miniscule packet of cheese and crackers PLUS a potential “restocking fee,” or $30 for a room service hamburger when all service charges, delivery charges, tips and taxes are added, don’t do it!

I recommend: Do your homework ahead of time: scout out restaurants within walking distance or look for nearby chain restaurants that will deliver your order to the hotel.

Exercise in your room instead of the fitness center

Pass on the for-a-fee fitness center and get fit in the privacy of your own room. Effective exercise equipment doesn’t have to be the size of a refrigerator with more chrome than a ’56 Chevy. It can be something simple that fits in your luggage.

I recommend: Check out the portable exercise equipment at the Healthy Travel Network.

Avoid hotel fax and business center charges

Receive a lengthy document at a hotel fax machine and you’ll generally pay a substantial per-page fee. If you know in advance that you’ll need fax services, document printing, or special materials for a meeting, your best bet is to look outside the hotel.

I recommend: Find out if the city you are in has a FedExKinko’s. There are over 1,100 FedEx Kinko’s locations in the U.S, many of them open 24 hours a day. At their Web site you’ll find tools to send your document ahead of time to a store close to your hotel; they’ll have it ready for you when you arrive or deliver it to you.

Become a loyal regular

Loyalty to a specific hotel property or hotel group can help smooth the way to fee waivers. Unless the hotel is adding a charge (such as a daily room tax) that will be passed directly and fully to a taxing authority, they have the option of NOT charging you. On your first stay, introduce yourself to the general manager and let it be known that you intend to be a frequent guest. Explain that you will not be using the fitness club/parking ramp/tennis courts/business center/mini-bar/turndown service/”free” morning newspaper or “free” bottled water on the night stand and that you will not pay fees for them. If they don’t agree, take your business elsewhere.

I recommend: Look into becoming a member of Best Western’s Best Business Worldwide, Intercontinental Hotels Group Priority Club Rewards, (Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Staybridge Suites among others) and the Marriott chain’s Marriott Rewards program.