Although I haven't had anything to do with them since HET took over, Rio might have some cheap rooms and may offer a possibility of improved view for compensation. You could PM Gregrio and ask him if the $20 trick will work there. Greg knows one or two employees, so he does not need to go into it cold as most of us do.
Our favorite off-Strip property is Orleans. It is farther away from the Strip than Rio, and the $20 trick will not work there. However, sometimes you can get a decent Strip view from a high room just by asking.