Originally Posted by
WalruSara
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.
I've seen it a number of times. Mostly with the gov't code. There have been multiple times when the representatives have asked for gov't ID (they were obviously using a state/fed rate) and the customers didn't have squat. It is so funny to watch a customer get irrate about asking for gov't ID (like it is some sort of HIPAA violation or they don't have to prove who they say they are) start to squirm because they are obviously not entitled to it. Cracks me up.
I may have tried this 20 years ago...but when you get to be a certain age/maturity level, you don't even consider putting yourself through something so ridiculous as this....it's like trying to sneak into a bar before you are 21 and getting carded.
No thanks....I'd rather fork over the best price I can get on my own and not have to deal with something so juvenile and sneaky--and for what? To save a few bucks? If you can't afford to travel paying the amount that is offered to you, with whatever discount you deserve (AAA/AARP/etc.), then maybe you can't afford to stay at that location or chain.
I often see a code that is IBM. The discounts are great (I can at least try just to see what the amount is).....but I would never even for a second use it because I don't work for IBM or any thing that would even appear as such.
Dawn