Secrets to maximizing your hotel dollar

Ok, not really a cheap hotel.

I'm writing this from Las Vegas, where we're staying at the Palazzo, the Best Hotel in Las Vegas as ranked by Travel and Leisure magazine. On Saturday we're going back to Miami.

Although I'm a student, I'm a big big traveller. My family never took me anywhere, but I've managed to go to 21 countries on my own, finding money from external sources that allowed me to have a great time while spending very little of my own resources.

I'm travelling with friends who work in the hotel industry on Miami Beach. They're the best of the best. Here's how to get the most of your time in the hotels:

1. Forgot your toothbrush? Ask for a free one at the front desk. They stock extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, floss - everything you need.

2. In-suite refrigerator not included, and they're charging you $20 per night for a fridge? You can ask for a free one if you need it for health reasons. For example, if you're diabetic and you need to store your insulin in a cold place, this is a great place to store it.

3. Negotiate upgrades! Just a bit of discussion with the front desk got us a free upgrade to bigger beds, a view of the Vegas strip, and a higher floor - FOR FREE. If it's not high season, hotels should have no problem giving you an upgrade.

4. Stock up on water and night-time snacks. Hunger and thirst are what rack up the hotel bill. Save yourself some money and plan ahead.