By Jennifer Merin

In this story:

• Sometimes the hotel's rate is cheapest
• Finding rooms at 'sold out' hotels
• Bargain-hunting may take time
• Some hotel discounters in major cities

(Los Angeles Times) -- Looking for bargain rates in big-city hotels? Try comparison-shopping for your reservations through hotel discount services.

Discounters book hotel rooms in one or several cities, usually quoting prices at 10 percent to 50 percent off the "rack rates" for deluxe to mid-category properties. There are no surcharges, you don't pay membership dues or annual fees, and you still earn points for your frequent-stay or airline frequent-flyer accounts. You'll find that a few minutes spent on the telephone can save you a bundle.

As with all travel bargains, you'll save the most when you're most flexible in your demands. That means being willing to change your travel dates or vary the hotel's location to take advantage of the best deals.

For a three-day stay in San Francisco, the reservationist at the largest hotel discounter there suggested the Andrews Hotel at a rate of $89 per night. The Andrews was renting the same room for the same dates for $149 per night.

With that in mind, the most effective way to use a hotel discount service is to tell the reservationist your destination, the dates of your visit (with possible alternatives) and the price you're willing to pay per night. Then ask for suggestions and availability. You'll be given several choices. Take notes and call back when you've made a decision.

Then compare. Call the different hotels on your list, and check the discounter's rates against those quoted by the hotel for direct booking. You'll easily be able to determine the best deal.

For example, for a three-day stay in San Francisco from August 19-21, the reservationist at San Francisco Reservations, the largest hotel discounter there, suggested the Andrews Hotel, a three-star, three-diamond boutique property near Union Square, quoting a rate of $89 per night. The Andrews was renting the same room for the same dates for $149 per night. Sign up with San Francisco Reservations, and you can save $160 over the three nights. That's well worth your telephone time.

If more than one discounter deals with your destination, call the second discounter, as well. Discounters usually deal only with select hotels, and some seem to do better at some hotels than their competitors, while their competitors do better at other hotels. Don't be surprised to discover many variations and some big discrepancies. Consider the following:

When you've found the best possible rate, book it before you lose it. Always pay with a credit card. If the hotel does not honor your reservation and rate, your credit card company will back you up.

For the same three nights, San Francisco's luxurious Westin St. Francis Hotel's reservationist quoted $169 per night for single or double occupancy, while San Francisco Reservations was charging $159 per night for single occupancy or $189 for double occupancy. But Hotel Reservation Network, a second discounter that deals with the St. Francis Hotel, had the same room for $189.95 per night for single or double occupancy.

Astonishing. Reservations made through the discounters turn out to be more expensive. Your best bet here is to book directly with the St. Francis.

Even when you must travel on set dates and wish to stay only at a particular hotel, you can benefit from calling discounters. In West Hollywood, a reservationist at the trendy, conveniently located Wyndham Bel Age Hotel quoted $234 per night double occupancy for August 19 and 20, and $195 double occupancy for August 21. Neither Hotel Reservation Network nor Express Reservations, both discounters serving the Los Angeles area, handle the Bel Age, but Quikbook, another discounter, had a rate of $155 double occupancy for all three nights. Book with Quikbook for $198 in savings.

You may find that a discounter claims to have rooms at hotels where reservationists have told you the hotel is sold out for your requested dates. This can happen if the hotel did not anticipate heavy demand and allotted a number of rooms to the discounter's inventory. If, after checking with both the discounter and the hotel, you believe the discounter actually has rooms and you decide to book them, get a written confirmation before paying.

When you've found the best possible rate, book it before you lose it. Always pay with a credit card. If the hotel does not honor your reservation and rate, your credit card company will back you up.

While you're calling around, keep potential savings in mind when discounters and hotels put you on hold. Discounters offer a simple menu of choices, followed by waiting time music, and you may be required to give your name and phone number before reservationists will access their hotels listings. Hotels, on the other hand, tend to play annoying propaganda while you wait; some instruct their reservationists to answer your questions with unwanted information -- about free coffee stations and ice machines -- that can really try your patience. But hang in there. The savings can more than pay for your patience.

You may also have to make a call or two to find the phone numbers for hotel discounters serving your destination city. Local chambers of commerce and tourist boards will have listings.

Here's a sampling of hotel discounters serving several major cities: