Sounds like this person was trying to get a hotel employee rate. That's just plain stupid if you're not entitled to it.

However, as a Plat, if I get one ounce of grief from anybody regarding the corporate rates I've booked, I'm off to another hotel. They're free to ask and accept my business card and the name of the person that I'm working for or meeting wtih at my host company. If that's not good enough for them, I'm sure there's a Hilton down the street that would love my 75 nights a year.

I'm sure your average Elite is not out poking rates that they're not entitled to, so I think making a federal case about it with an Elite would be ridiculous with the possible exception of Gov't rates.

I've stayed many times in a SHS in downtown PIT that has a sign on the wall that says "anyone using corporate rates will be asked to show ID making them eligible for that rate." I've never been asked once.