I work with a lot of truly wonderful boutique hotels, so, as you can imagine, people often ask, “Could you get me a special rate there?” I try not to look at them with a steely, cadaver-like stare. Even if I were related to the owner of that hotel through blood and marriage (although that combo’s never advisable), I'd need to demonstrate WHY on God’s round Earth that in-demand hotel should offer me a room at a reduced rate, let alone my pal. Because here’s the thing: hotels are BESIEGED with requests all day, every day – from the plausible to the truly, truly, truly ridiculous. It's simple: you need to be able to prove how it will help their future bookings.