In this world, there are the knows and the know nots. The haves and the have nots. While some may say it’s unethical or classless to befriend someone purely for the profit, we argue that as long as both parties are aware of the situation, and have something of value to contribute there’s nothing wrong with such an arrangement. There are certain people who can make life a lot easier, simply by being able to pick up the phone and call in a favor. You want to be one of these people.

It is important that you have something deemed valuable to return when they help you out. If it is money, that’s just fine. Cash is king, the saying goes. The general rule for anything that is free is to pay a fourth to half the value of the item to the person who provided it. So, if you’re friend hooked you up with basketball tickets worth $600, you should give him about $200. This may seem like just paying 30% for what would normally cost a hundred, but in reality, you are not only benefiting your friend directly, but you are also doing so to such an extent that it will be profitable to your confederate to keep giving you such deals. The result may cost you a little more upfront, but will keep the fruits of the relationship fresh for much longer. So befriend the following five and your life will be much easier and cheaper from here on out.

The Airlines

This is probably the most valuable friend connection one can develop, simply because of how much people fly and also because people who can get the discounts are going fewer and fewer. Those who are allowed access can get slashed employee rates and often times will end up flying for free. Imagine LA to Paris, business class for nothing. The cool thing about the airlines is if you are flying under an employee’s name (This is terminology used in the business, we don’t mean using their name to book your ticket. Not a good idea.) you carry with you their seniority, which often times leads to airport lounges and free drinks on the plane.

Hotels

This is a great connection to develop because it can benefit you both when you travel, as well as in your home city. Really anyone working at a hotel or for a hotel company can get you a hookup, but a member of management is the real way to go. Someone with a title can get you amazing rooms for free, or $50-$150 a night. Think $700 for $90 a night rooms for $50. These kind of things happen. With hotel rooms, especially if someone is in management, a nice gift or service returned is a better call than cash. If you can hook up a great day cruise or some concert tickets, for example, give them this with $100 cash for dinner, instead of a large money sum. They will sometimes be saving you thousands, so it is important to take care of these people. You can also call in a favor for some friends coming to your city that you don’t want crashing out on the couch, not to mention a room to seal the deal with that one difficult dame. Then you’ll be getting the gifts.

Your Local Bartender

These are people you need to know. Your two or three favorite spots need to be just that. Choose the good ones and stay there. Drinks from bartenders is the perfect situation for the 25-50% tip rule. If they end up hooking up three or four drinks, let them buy you one and tip on the rest. These guys can come in extremely handy, especially when you invite a bunch of friends out. Often they’ll “buy a round” which can sometimes save the group fifty to a hundred dollars. Bartenders are perfect people to once every blue moon offer a pair of tickets you got for free or maybe some clothing samples from the warehouse, especially if you have developed a rapport with them.

Events/PR

People in the events/public relations field always have functions popping up that, if you make it worth their while, will have tickets waiting for you. This can come in extremely handy when you meet a girl and need an excuse to ask them out, and also for a little change of pace. These events are great ways to meet members of the opposite sex and could be good networking opportunities. Many times the people working for the PR company are allowed to bring a guest or guests to these events, and them getting your name on a guestlist is as easy as sending an email down the hall.

Record A&R/ Concert Promotion

Use the concert tickets as leverage to get those airline tickets. People with real hookups in the industry can get tickets and credentials, as well as entrance to great parties and events. Many of them only have to pick up a phone to have you rubbing elbows with your favorite bands, so get out there and start your networking. These are people who like cash, but would also like a gift certificate from a great restaurant for dinner or a cool jacket from a good designer.

You may be thinking to yourself, I don’t know anyone in any of these fields. Well, this is where your work begins. You have to start networking. This means building valuable relationships that lead to other relationships. No matter how old you are, if you’re not networking, you need to start. Facebook and LinkedIn are great ways to meet people, but really you need to pound the pavement. Start asking to speak to the manger, not to complain, but to praise their business and make a connection. If you’re a waiter at a decent restaurant, give them a business card with your information and let them know you’ll set up an amazing experience. You’d be surprised how far a little VIP treatment will go. People like feeling special, and getting them a significant discount, or setting up a few small things to make their time extra special are greats way to do this. So start meeting people and develop a few valuable connections. and you’ll be surprised what you can get for free by simply picking up the phone. Because as they say in this world, it’s all about who you know.