ATLANTA -- If you’re planning a holiday trip there are ways to save big bucks on a hotel room – but only if you know the secrets. Consumer Advisor Clark Howard shows you how he stays in the best but pays the least.

Tis the season and hotels are dressed in their best for Christmas and offering some great deals.

“The holiday deals are out there. The trick is to go where the demand is not at its peak,” says Paul Breslin.

Breslin is Vice Chair of the Georgia Hotel and Lodging Association. He says Christmas night is off peak for many destinations so you can save. And there are two other ways to cash in.

First…

“Know what you’re looking for so you can narrow the search down and make it easier for yourself,” says Breslin.

The second?

“Absolute flexibility is key,” Breslin says.

Clark says he is a flexible traveler – he goes when he can get the deals. He uses the internet to research hotels and he says his strategy is to book blind – he searches for hotel quality rather than a specific brand.

Booking blind means you specify the type of hotel you want – like a 4 star – and the price you want to pay. Clark has saved thousands letting Priceline and other sites choose the hotel based on his requests. Paul Breslin agrees it’s one way to save.

“I think there’s a value for those in certain circumstances,” says Breslin.

But Paul prefers hotel web sites – or sites like hotels.com and Orbitz. Clark recommends you shop them all before you book – but warns you to watch out for deals that really aren’t.

“Be careful of the package – package doesn’t always mean discount,” says Breslin.

Remember Clark said flexibility is key -- timing is everything when it comes to hotel rates.

“Even if there’s only one day that’s a peak – your rate is going to be high for the entire 4-day stay,” warns Breslin.