I agree with bhatnasx's post and posters recommending the Priceline approach. You can do a combination of the two. Use the Priceline for good "sure thing" hotels. Read the post on Priceline Hyatt's and see if they are on your route.

When Priceline is not an option, go with Choicehotels. If you want to go budget , new property and WIFI, check out www.microtelinn.com/

Free Night on Mayb 13th and other tips.
 

Ok, first a disclaimer: I do NOT think FTers are Elitist. :rolleyes: :D

But geez, you guys! For most of us out there in the world, I don't think that we consider Hampton Inns discount! I do see that the OP is happy with that suggestion but I am a REAL discount traveler and I am talking Days Inns and Super 8's.

I think bhatnsax's post was the most comprehensive.

My solutions:

1) Unfortunately, unless you are WITH me, this one is for me only. I am a hotel employee and will usually try to base my night's stopping on the availability of that discount (found by calling the 800#). I never stay in a city because of having to pay for parking, etc.

2) The discount travel guides found in truck stops, gas stations along the exits and welcome centers have incredibly low rates. If you call on your cell and mention the rate the motel will usually honor it if they have rooms. These mom and pop places can close up shop the earlier they fill up. I often can't get a hotel employee discount and this is my favorite tip. Often, there will be a miles and points place in the guide.

3) I stay in KOA Kamping Kabins for like $30/night. You have to bring your own linen but we all have a pillow and blanket in the car anyway! Just a couple of bed sheets to the car trunk and you are set. The baths are the campground baths so that keeps the cost down. The kabins are cute jog cabins with a/c, heat and lights. NOTE: KOA IS OFFERING A FREE NIGHT IN A KAMPING KABIN OR TENT/RV SITE ON MAY 13, 2005!! I am driving across the country then, too, and have booked one for myself. :D And yes, they have a reward program.

4) The best money I ever spent was to get a wireless connection on my laptop. Just 2 nights ago, I fired up my laptop and discovered free wireless on the top of a parking garage near IAD! At this moment, I sit here typing, late at night, outside the closed Panera Bread Restaurant in Tyson's Corner, VA where I can access the free wifi 24/7 from my car! I have started turning on the laptop when I make a stop because you never know who is going to have free wireless these days.

Another note - use hotel Best Price Guarantees to your advantage if you can! I've done MR's to SFO & CMH and have stayed for free in Ramada's because they have a policy for the first night free if you find a cheaper rate online. I also just booked a room in West Virigina for the night before a 2-day camping music festival (www.allgoodfestival.com if anyone's intererested in trekking out to W.V. in July!) at a Super 8 (it's a Super 8 Pride location - interior corridors, free breakfast, and seems like a decent enough place) - the rate was 69.99 on Super8.com & 69.98 on Travelocity so in the end, the room (which I'm arriving at late night & leaving early AM the next day) is free - all it is is a place to lay your head that's secure. 70 bucks for a room in WV isn't even budget really to me, but for the city, the Ramada Inn was 79, the Hampton Inn is 95, Best Western & SpringHill Suites was 99 & the Econolodge was 70. Had I had to pay for this, I probably would have just found a camp ground or a dirt road somewhere, but that's me - for a one-night stay in a town that I'm just passing through, 70 bucks is too much for an advance reservation when I'm not getting anything out of it - and the Hampton Inn's breakfast & points just aren't worth the extra 25 bucks to me.

I think someone above mentioned Microtel. Remember that they have a frequent stay program, stay 10 nights, get 1 free, or something along those lines. Go online or ask at the desk for details. I found myself in a no-name town one night and they had a brand new Microtel, just opened. I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised, considering it was about $35 or so. The room was really small, but, it has a bed, a TV, and a bathroom. As I recall, the continental breakfast wasn't much. For about $10 more, some locations have "suites" which is just a little larger room with a refrigerator and maybe a microwave.