We interviewed hotel front desk clerks and managers to learn some insider secrets. Read and be prepared for your next stay.

Those peepholes on your door? Cover with a sticky note because people can look in and see you're not there.

If you make a reservation and the rate goes down after you book, don't expect us to notify you. (Ed. Note: Airfarewatchdog's sister site Tingo.com does exactly that).

Asking you to re-use towels and sheets does save water and energy, but we ask not just because we're saving the planet. It also reduces our labor costs.

Key cards work on elevators even after you leave, so they don't provide the security you might think.

We get asked for room upgrades all the time but most people ask like they're entitled to it. Ask politely. How about starting with, "Good morning how are you?"  Low key asks work best. Ask if the hotel is sold out first.

Is it okay to tip front desk staff? Yes. You tip the maids and concierge don't you? There are no rules against it at our chain.

If you booked a super cheap rate on Priceline or wherever don't expect first-class treatment. If only smoking rooms are left when you check in, we will not bump a higher paying customer or a frequent guest from a non-smoking room to accommodate you. And if we overbook, guess who gets "walked" first.

Why do we ask for picture ID now when you check in? There's a lot of fraud out there. Someone else might have used your credit card to book the room. It's for your protection.

Leave something in the room when you checked out? If it's left in the bed, maids tend to scoop up everything in a bundle and send it to the laundry. They're in a rush. Don't expect to get that stuff back. Make a packing list and check off everything before you leave.

For a quiet stay always ask for a higher floor. We try to keep "party" guests on lower floors.

If it's late at night and you near excessive noise call security and ask for the manager on duty. If it's so excessive that you lose sleep, ask the manager to take the room night off your bill. Or at least a comp breakfast or free parking.

Your half-used soap bars don't go to waste. We recycle them and make new soap bars and send to poorer countries and homeless shelters.

What gets stolen the most? Pillows. Especially our big goose down pillows. We do charge guests if we notice they're missing.

When you open the mini bar make sure everything is intact. There might be half-eaten Pringles in there and you'll get charged. You're better off not accepting the minibar key when you check in if it has one.

Check for errors on your bill before you leave. They're harder to fix later.

Avoid rooms with adjoining interior doors. They leak sound.

Always ask is there an event, like a wedding or convention, going on when you make a reservation. They tend to be noisy.

Our biggest complaint about the job is rude guests. A hello, a please and thank you gets you far. Don't just throw your credit card down on the check in desk when you arrive. Don't butter us up but be nice. Be genuine because so few people are.