Something regarding hotels that will save you money up front is to ask the price. Most hotels have a set price for the night, a rack rate (lowest possible) and a few in between. The biggest mistake you can make is to say "Well, I have AAA or AARP" right off the bat, because most hotel employees are told that in that situation they are to give out the regular price and refer to it as discounted. This isn't the best practice, but for some of the workers schleping away for minimum wage, they don't argue. Often, they make commissions, so higher prices work for them, too. If you get a price, then mention such-and-such discount, they have to either explain why they were telling you a price and then not adjusting if they honor a discount. Most of these are only a 10% discount, but that is still a few bucks you can save by changing the order of your reservation.

Another point is that remember to be reasonable when you complain about the noise or whatever problem may come up. Basically, the person there is trying, and they have set rules about how to handle disturbances, but I've watched people throw temper tantrums and call the local police to file a noise complaint while not even realizing the noise was something legitimate (like someone coming to their room the first time and the doors shutting under their own power). Given, if there is a problem, complain. Understand, though, that not every person working there can give you a discount (there are some things that do have to wait until morning) - great post though, all the advice is wonderful...

Brad