Savvy travellers have known for a while that when you book an airline ticket in advance, that it’s worth checking back later to see if the fare has gone down. While not all airlines will refund the difference, some will give you the difference in a voucher, and still others will give you a refund or a voucher less a fee.

But lately, I’ve been noticing a similar phenomenon, with hotel rates.

Like the airfare situation, prices don’t always go down, but it’s often worth a few minutes of your time. (Or your travel agent’s time, but most agents are happy to check, especially if you ask nicely.)

It’s probably not worth checking constantly, but once or twice can’t hurt, especially if you’ve booked months in advance. And if the rate has gone up, you’ll feel good about booking early.

Just this week I found a hotel rate in South Africa for May dropped approximately USD 33 a night. I’ve also found recent savings in Italy and in Washington DC. Even if you don’t save money, you might find a nicer room; one Four Seasons hotel in Singapore adjusted their rates enough to make their Club level room comparable to the original standard rate.

Occasionally some specials are for “new bookings only,” which might take some negotiating. And unfortunately hotels are sometimes guilty of the same “bait and switch” tactics used by the airlines. Which means they may advertise a ridiculously low rate, which only applies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the offseason, or something like that.

Still, many hotels, especially but not only large chain properties, now use the same airline style “yield management” on their rates. Which means different rates for the same room based on season and occupancy. While it can be confusing, and at times annoying, during this recession the practice means a chance for some real savings.

Hotel photo from Hotel Andra in Seattle.