Originally Posted by
hhoope01
I would think that this depends on the rate and the rules of usage for that rate that Marriott and the company negotiated. If the hotel negotiates a rate and agrees that it will be only for its own employees, then that is the rules. If the company, its employees, its vendors, or customers have issues, then shouldn't they be talking to the company to negotiate a rate that all could use? (BTW, I have no idea what, if any, the difference in price, # of beds/nights, etc would be by negotiating employees only, versus others using a rate.)
Most of the time, prior to going to a customer site, the customer will volunteer what hotel(s) are nearby and at which of those the company has a rate.
I always make it clear at check-in. If I'm asked what company I'm with, I say, "I am with XYZ, which used to be part of LMN, but am here doing work with ABC." (Our travel and credit cards are still done by LMN's Travel and Credit office and we have permission to use their rates.) Usually, the only response I get is, "Do you need directions to ABC?" Nobody has ever questioned my use of their rate. My corporate credit card clearly says ABC on the front and LMN in small letters on the back.
Again, it would be in the company's best interest to have customers included, as more beds filled per year is more likely going to fulfill the contract quota and allow for as lower or lower rate next year. It is in the interest of the Marriott property to guard against more beds being filled so as to earn more money. Given that, though, I cannot see any company negotiating for only its own employees and not its customers, too.