Here's how to get great Las Vegas room rates:

Preferably a few months before you go to Las Vegas (but even a few weeks before you go might work) sign as many Las Vegas hotel online guestbooks as you can, eg www.excalibur.com, www.mandalaybay.com.

They'll start sending you emails of special room offers. Don't worry, you shouldn't be deluged with tons of email, even if you've signed more than ten guestbooks. I average about one per month per hotel. Or you can open a special free email account just for your guestbook signings. If you do this make sure you check it frequently so you can read the special offers you'll receive.

When you're ready to make your booking, if you're calling the hotel, make sure you have the email offer in front of you. There's usually a code you need to quote in order to get the special offer.

Also, when you make the booking, double check you're getting the rate that was offered in the email to you, just to make sure. If you're calling the hotel, not all the operators know about the special email offers which is why you need to quote the code and double check you're getting the right rate.

You'll also need a credit card when making your booking so make sure you have that in front of you too.

A couple of days before I'm due to arrive in Las Vegas, I always call the hotel and confirm my reservation. I have the email offer in front of me and I make sure they have the details of that, along with the code and special room rate.

It's a good idea to also find out when check in time is and how long they hold your reservation for if you're late checking in. If you know you won't arrive until early/late evening it's adviseable to tell them that and ask if they can hold your room for you because you'll definitely be there.

I've received great room rates by doing this that I normally wouldn't have. I hope you do too!