3. I Would Like to Change My Reservation, Please

In the grand theater of securing last-minute lodgings, one finds that the hotel reservation system—much like a moody gatekeeper—favors the marathoners over the sprinters. This sleight of hand, or rather, sleight of booking, tricks the system into rolling out the red carpet, believing you to be a guest of distinction, not desperation.

Once ensconced in the system’s good graces, you can then make “a slight adjustment” to your stay, tailoring it to the actual desired weekend. That’s one way to game the system with the finesse of a seasoned traveler.