If you are heading out on a vacation and really want to check in to a hotel that is booked solid ahead of time, you can still get in. Just find out when cancellation penalties set in for your planned arrival date, then call the hotel’s front desk on the morning of the day the penalties set in. Ask if there are rooms available for anybody who has canceled for the time you are trying to check in for, and you can probably find a room in your dream hotel. And you might be able to save money by asking if there is any sort of discount on the room... the hotel may be desperate to get someone booked for the room post cancellation, and you might just be able to score a sweet deal.