A HOTEL insider has revealed three top tricks that are going to save you cash at your hotel stay. But a warning - they may not actually be legal.

First the mini bar. According to Jacob Tomsky, author of Beds in Heads hotel guests should NEVER pay for using the mini bar. No, we're not talking about filling up the tiny vodka bottles with water and the rum with tea. Tomsky says mini bar charges are the most disputed charges on any bill.

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"Why? Because it's done by people. The traditional minibar, before they invented the variety with sensors, is checked (maybe) once a day by a slow-moving gentleman or lady pushing a cartful of snacks. Keystroke errors, delays in restocking, double stocking and hundreds of other missteps make minibar charges the most voided item. Even before guests can manage to get through half of the “I never had these items” sentence, I have already removed the charges."

Tomsky has worked in hotels for more than a decade doing everything from valet parking to front desk and housekeeping. So he knows his stuff.

So what are his other cash saving tips?

Number 2: You don't have to pay for in-room movies.

"Here's how, in three easy steps: 1. Watch and enjoy any movie. 2. Call down and say you accidentally clicked on it. Or it cut off in the middle. Or it froze near the end. Or it never even started. Would you like them to restart the movie for you? No thanks. You need to go to bed/leave now. Just remove the charge, please. 3. Order another movie."

Lastly, Tomsky says travellers should never pay the hotel same-day cancellation fee. No matter what the hotel says. This one is legal.

Here’s how to do it. Ask to speak to a manager. Don’t give a long story. Keep it simple. Say personal emergency rather than going into details of how your flight was delayed or your sister’s cousin’s friend broken her leg.

Then try this:

"I just have a quick request. I think you can help me. I've had a personal emergency and won't be able to check in tonight. However, I have already rescheduled my meeting for next week. Do you think you could just shift tonight's reservation to next Friday without a penalty?"

More often than not, Tomsky says the answer will be yes.