Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.601 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)

If you want to get credit in a chain's frequent-guest program, you might find yourself paying more than the lowest possible rate. I think that the rates you could find putting in a bid on Priceline, or using Hotwire, or the Entertainment card will often -- but not always -- be lower than any discount rate offered directly by the hotel. But these rates usually do not earn credit in the hotel's frequent-guest program.

Another source worth checking is:

http://www.roomsaver.com

where you can find coupons for discounted lodging throughout the country. Note, however, that many of the properties that list with Roomsaver do not permit advance reservations: the coupons are valid only for walk-ins or, perhaps, same-day reservations.