Well that's a nice selection of rooms, Caesar

You like choices, do you?  Well check out this list of room options from Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas.

However, my tip to you is this.... book the cheapest room offered. At the hotel check in desk, be your best self. Be best dressed, best mannered and the new best friend of the desk clerk. Charm him or her in the first minute of arrival and then when you present your credit card and ID for authorization, also include a nice crisp $20.

What's the $20 for? So your new best friend can use their talents and favour to choose a nice room for you.

But does this work? Yes. Yes it does. The desk clerk or their supervisor has the authorization to put you in a room of their choosing, equal or greater to what you have selected and paid for with the reservation. And believe me, you are not the first person to do this, nor will you ever be the last.

What do I say?  Clearly express your preferences or reason for 'being extra special.'  For example, you might say, "this is my first time at Caesar's Palace. This is a dream come true for me! My wife booked this trip for our anniversary. We're heading out for dinner and then to the Rod Stewart concert tomorrow night. It would be fantastic if we could have a room with a view or nearby the concert forum."

What you've told the desk clerk here is that you are celebrating and (the most important part) spending additional money on their property (concert & dinner) so they should look favourably upon your request.

When doesn't this upfront gratuity work?  1) When the hotel is full or near capacity.  2) You booked the room off Hotwire, Trivago or another cut rate site. 3) You are pushy or have a black mark on your hotel record with the chain. (Tell off a Hilton employee and be sure that note is on your account for all future Hilton reservations) 4) At the Best Western in Saskatoon. This is a Vegas thing.

And if it does not work in your favour, it was still one of the better bets you'll make in Las Vegas. C'est la vie! You're there to gamble and leave a little money behind anyway. Be sure $20 (or $10 per person - as shown in the booking chart below)  is FAR less than you would have paid through your travel agent for a room upgrade.

Yes. I do speak from experience. I've been placed in a suite at both Caesar's & Bellagio at check in. Also at the MGM and Tropicana, but really, it's the Bellagio Suite (3 bathrooms & a dining room) that is the real jackpot upgrade. Though I'll likely never hit that jackpot again, I sure intend to give it a shot.

Tips worth repeating

I'm often asked how I find the travel bargains, or how I can afford to travel with my kids in hockey. Well, it's like anything, you have to plan, save and be on the lookout (constantly) for the deals.

My top tips for travelling on any budget, are worth repeating.

1. Travel when others aren't. Travel after long weekends and major holidays and you'll pay 40% less than those travelling ON the long weekend.

2. Know the average price of what you want so you can RECOGNIZE the bargain when it appears. Then act quickly. Bargains disappear as quickly as they appear. You can miss the boat (literally) by waiting a day. Travel is a commodity dramatically affected by supply and demand.

3. Collect points. Whether you choose Air Miles, Aeroplan, Sky Miles or others, get their credit card and start accumulating your points at the grocery store, gas station etc. This is a great way to SUBSIDIZE your travel. Even your hockey expenses can contribute to future family vacations.

4. Read reviews. It's no bargain if the hotel is a dump or the airline constantly strands passengers. Read Trip Advisor for recent reviews every time you consider something new.

5, Be FLEXIBLE! This is my absolutely most important tip. If you can be flexible in choosing your destination (I know I want a Caribbean beach, but am open to try any of 5 islands) then you will have greater chances for bargains rather than ONLY looking for bargains in The Bahamas. And, be flexible on your dates. Check a grid (like on tripcentral.ca) because sometimes the difference in dates can be $500 or more, even when choosing the EXACT same airline and/or hotel.

5 Reasons to get up early on vacation

Don't get me wrong, I love to sleep in. I simply don't think that you are making the most of your precious travel time by being curled up and in dreamland. You ought to be awake and LIVING those dreams.

Here are 5 reasons to get up early:

1. Sleeping isn't SEEING.

2. You will see a city (or wherever you might be) two totally different ways when you see it in the morning, and then the night life as well. Double your vacation value by seeing both sides of a city.

3. Ask others.... Over your morning coffee, ask your barista what you should do today.  "This is my first time in Seattle. I have the whole day free. What do you think I should see?" 

4. Nothing beats a sunrise walk on the beach. Or in the National Park. Or in the heart of the city. Wherever you are, seize the day.

5. Each morning the world starts fresh and has something to show you. Be open to the joy.

But Cathie, I'm on V A C A T I O N.....

Yes. I hear you ;) !  Have an afternoon nap. Have an extra cup of coffee. Do what it takes to make the most of your time away. Take photos and reflect later. Live in the moment.

And when you get home, take one more day to unpack, and reset yourself before you go back to work.  It's how I believe you can turn ANY vacation into the "Best. Vacation. Ever."