Having a heart unlocks hotel deals

Many properties also routinely give stays to nonprofits to auction at gala events or online — often leading to bargains not otherwise available, with the added sense of doing good.

Users begin by donating $10 to charity, picking either one of a dozen international charities or a nonprofit operating in their desired destination, with a variety of causes represented.

Northern California properties currently include the Serrano Hotel, the Kensington Park Hotel, Hotel G and the Mosser Hotel in San Francisco, while Southern California options are the Hollywood Roosevelt in Los Angeles, Paséa Hotel and Spa in Huntington Beach, and Two Bunch Palms in Palm Springs.

Among the dozen international charities are Wild-Aid, which combats illegal trade in wildlife parts such as elephant ivory and rhino horn, and World Food Program USA, said to be the largest humanitarian agency addressing global hunger.