I'm new to this and not sure how things work. Can you just pick any code from the list and use it or do you have to qualify somehow?

I'm planning a trip to DC in September and I want to stay in the Holiday Inn Washington-Capital. Problem is it's out of my budget. I saw a banner ad today listing rooms for $139 a night but that's only for the middle of July. The room price I'm being quoted is $225+ a night.

A little background, if it helps. I haven't traveled since a bad accident I had in 1999. This accident left me paralyzed and in a wheelchair (i.e. Christopher Reeve). Over the years I've read too many horror stories about being disabled, especially in a wheelchair, and traveling so I have simply stayed home for the last 15 years. I finally decided to plan a trip and just go and do it. I picked the Holiday Inn Washington-Capital because it's less than a quarter-mile from the Smithsonian (which is the destination of my vacation) and I don't plan on renting a wheelchair van. I know there are hotels with better rates along the Metro line but traveling on the train is just one complication I don't want to have to deal with.

Any help on how to get a better rate will definitely be appreciated.