Here are a few best kept travel secrets for finding the best room rates and cheap hotels in Vegas.

Plan your Las Vegas trip during the week rather than weekends. Decide how long you want to stay in Vegas for. Many hotels offer lower room rates the longer you stay. Many of the downtown casinos and hotels are cheaper than accommodation on the Strip. Look into hotels that are not on Las Vegas Boulevard. They have bargain room rates.

If you are staying for a week then ask what the weekly room rate is. Plan your Vegas trip well ahead to get the best rates. Most Vegas hotels have an incredible 90 percent occupancy rate. An incredible 63 percent of Las Vegas visitors book at least two weeks in advance. Look out for hotels offering a free night if you stay for three or more nights in Vegas. Book your hotel on an airline website.

Download Travel Axe where you can search around 20 websites to help you find the cheapest Vegas deals.

TIP: If you call the hotel with your Travel Axe deal they will usually try and beat their offer. Check to see if your planned trip coincides with any major conventions or popular events, etc, on at the same time. If a convention is on at the same time it could be impossible to find a room. Some conventions have attendees of more than 50,000. Here are some conventions and popular events to look out for:

January - Consumer Electronics Show

February - Men's Apparel Guild in California (MAGIC)

March - NASCAR

April - National Association of Broadcasters, World Series Poker, Clark County Fair and Rodeo, Fremont Street Mardi Gras, City of Light Jazz Festival

May - Networld + Interop (high-tech), EA Sports Supercross, Cinco de Mayo, Summer Jam, Stars, Cars & Guitars Motorhead Festival, Jazz in the Park

June - Jazz Festival, International Truck Show

July - Fourth of July Fireworks

August - MAGIC, Newport Pacific Jazz Festival

November - Softbank Comdex (software and high-tech)

December - National Finals Rodeo

It's a good idea to contact the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (3150 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109, PHONE: 702/892-0711, FAX: 702/892-2824) to find out who or what will be in town at the time you're planning to visit.

It is possible to plan a cheap, discount Las Vegas vacation that will cost you next to nothing. Everything from cheap hotels, cheap airfares, cheap car rental. By spending a little time improving your knowledge about your Vegas vacation destination you can end up saving hundreds on your trip - and having more money to burn.

What are you waiting for? Sin City is calling you!