A few weeks ago, I read a thread on here with someone asking if they've ever used one of the promotion/discount/corporate codes available and what happened if you were asked for verification when checking in.

Well.

On 12/26, I was checking into the Marriott Marquis NYC. The guy next to me at reception was apparently trying to check in, having used an employee rate code. When asked to show documentation, he said he "forgot" his card.

The desk employee told him that they would need verification faxed over from the hotel he worked at. He asked if a copy of his information could be faxed from home. No dice. It had to come from the hotel to verify his employment status. If not, they would adjust his rate.

He eventually told the desk to forget about it and to adjust the rate. It went up substantially.

Talk about a sticky situation. I do not condone the use of codes that you are not entitled to use... it could get VERRRRRY expensive.

Just a word to the wise... and a witness account of what happens when you try to use codes that require documentation.