"In most markets there's no reason to pay full price for a hotel room these days," Tod Marks said.
Subscribers surveyed say it pays to haggle. Eighty percent who tried got a lower room rate or a room upgrade.
Here's how Tod Marks negotiated big savings at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia.
"Can you give me your best available rate?"
That initial hotel quote turned out to be $209. But Tod says you need to go further. "Do you offer any discounts such as an AAA discount?"
That dropped the room rate to $177 and it was refundable. But Tod didn't stop there. "And the best available non-refundable rate?"
That nonrefundable rate: $159. But Tod kept going. "Do you have any limited-time offers?"
The price wound up at $134, with free parking thrown in.
And consumer reports says you can often get an even better deal if you book at discount websites like Hotwire or Priceline.
"The downside is that you don't know the identity of the chain you'll be staying at until after you complete your booking," Marks said.
Turns out that Sheraton Society Hill hotel room on Hotwire wet, not for $134, but $109.
