I've started to call the local property with any hotel chain regardless of whether it's an award stay or not. When calling the 800 reservation line, they are staring at a computer screen. When calling the property directly, they're staring at their VACANCY sign and will more often than not, give you a MUCH better rate than they would have had you called the national number - just by asking. I saved over $70.00 on a two night stay in SFO just three weeks ago by doing this.

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aloha!
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