We all have that friend who frequently travels for work or leisure and always seems to get free upgrades, drink vouchers and other perks when they check into a hotel.

But theyre not the only one who can get little bonus amenities and other nice benefits during a hotel stay. In fact, there are several ways to get more bang for your buck in the hospitality world.

Below, travel experts share their tips for getting hotel perks without spending a ton of money.

Try booking with the hotel directly...

Book directly with the hotel, advised budgeting expert Andrea Woroch . You will be surprised that sometimes you can get a better deal when you book directly with the hotel because [theyd] rather not lose any of the reservation payment to a third-party booking site. They will also be more likely to give you some free amenities in that booking, as it may come with a special on their site.

Once youve received your confirmation, consider sending an email to the hotel with the details of your stay, and tell them how much youre looking forward to your time there. That personal touch might flag your visit to the hotel for special attention.

...But first do a comparison with third-party sites

Look for hotels that offer perks upfront, like a hotel with free breakfast and free parking, Woroch said. I like using a site like Hotels.com to see which hotels are available in the area Im traveling to and seeing which free perks are included, since they do a good job at promoting them on the site.

Third-party booking sites are great for reviewing various options and comparing the prices and amenities included in the rates. Woroch recommended comparing your preferred option from the Hotels.com search with the booking price thats listed on the hotel website directly.

If its the same price and youre trying to build up hotel loyalty, you might as well go ahead and book right with the brand. Still, there can be perks to booking on a third-party website.

Hotels.com will price-match cheaper options, and when you book 10 nights with the site, you get a free night, so thats a great way to get free hotel bookings in the future, Woroch noted.

Travel blogger Esther Susag said she likes Booking.com for free upgrades and amenities.

Sometimes I just need something quick or easy and will use Booking.com, she explained. This year I became a genius level three and I have noticed a huge advantage and benefit of their loyalty program. I have saved hundreds of dollars just in the last month alone because I automatically get at least 20% off, if not more, for most hotel stays booked through them. I also get upgraded almost every time for no extra charge because of that.

Tell the hotel youre celebrating

Chris Hutchins, a financial optimizer and host of the podcast All the Hacks, endorses booking directly with the hotel and sending a personal email. In fact, he recommends going a step further.

Tell them if youre celebrating anything special, he said. Then follow up again [a] few days before arrival to confirm youre still coming. Ive seen this work so many times I stopped counting, and people have gotten upgrades, free breakfast, a bottle of champagne and, one time, the hotel actually monogrammed the guests initials on their pillows.

Remember that hotels are in the hospitality business, so most will try their best to earn your loyalty.

So many hotels want to make sure you have the most memorable experience and will make your stay extra-special, whether its for a birthday or anniversary, etc., Susag said. And its a bonus for them if you post the kind gesture that they do on social media, too.