Your Money : Seek; Ye Shall Find a Better Room Rate

Getting a bargain on a hotel room is possible, but it takes patience and nimble fingers.

We recently called eight hotels at random and asked for a standard room on a Friday night in July. Then we called each hotel chain’s toll-free reservation line and asked about rates for the same date.

In most cases, reservation agents offered us a high rate first, but came up with discounts and specials when we asked. The deals offered by chain-wide reservation centers and individual hotels were frequently different.

We also found that most hotels were willing to give individuals the corporate discount rate, but only when asked.

Our experience with the Radisson Hotel in La Jolla was typical of what we found. When we called the hotel directly, the agent quoted us a rate of $85 for a standard room. We then asked about specials, and the agent came up with a $79 corporate rate for a poolside room that usually goes for $139. We pressed on and asked about discounts. When we mentioned the Auto Club, the agent came up with a rate of $76.50 for a standard room.

Then we called Radisson’s reservation center to see if we could shave the rate further. We found we could. The agent first gave us a rate of $95 for a standard room. When asked about discounts, the agent came up with $69. With more questions, we were able to reduce the rate by nearly 30%.

Information about room availability also varied. When we called the reservation center for Ramada Inns, the agent told us the hotel on San Diego’s Hotel Circle was booked. When we called the hotel, an agent told us that some $79 rooms were available.

In another case, the reservation center had more to offer. When we called the Hyatt Newporter directly, a clerk told us the best rate available for a standard room was $115 because discount rooms were booked. An agent at the chain’s reservation center offered a discount rate of $99.

Here’s what we found at other hotels. Keep in mind you may not get the same rates when you call because discounts and availability vary.

* Best Western, Old Town San Diego: The hotel staff quoted a standard room for $119; the reservation center offered the same room at $109. Discounts were the same.

* Hilton Beach & Tennis Resort, San Diego: When we asked the hotel clerk about discounts, we received a quote of $145. The chain’s reservation center said the best rate available was $170.

* Marriott Hotel & Tennis Club, Newport: The hotel and reservation center offered the same rates.

* Holiday Inn, Laguna Hills: Hotel staff quoted a rate of $89 and said no discounts were available. We mentioned Auto Club and were offered $71.10. The clerk said that was the lowest rate. An agent at the chain’s reservation center offered us a standard room for $64.

* Quality Suites, San Luis Obispo: Hotel staff told us the best rate was $112.50; the reservation agent said there was nothing lower than $125.

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Odds and ends: Bank of America is waiving the annual fee for MasterCard users whose cards are linked to BofA checking accounts. The bank is also shifting to a variable interest rate from a fixed rate on its MasterCard--just when interest rates are rising. . . . A San Gabriel Valley resident with two American Express cards--a gold and a green--reports he has received a solicitation for a green American Express card. Don’t they know this man?