Originally Posted by
hobo13
In other words, if I'm benefiting, someone else must be getting hurt. Who is getting hurt here? Tell me! The company is paying the same rate they would have paid anyway (trust me, I'm on a gov't rate, so it's fixed and all the hotels have the same gov't rate), Costco is happy they sold some certs, and Hyatt must be happy or else they wouldn't be selling the certs in the first place -- and it got me to stay there instead of the Marriott.
Unless, of course, you chose Hyatt over Marriott (and accepted a higher rate) because you would get that 20% "kickback" with the certificates.
Can't speak for any other companies, but at my (Fortune 500) company we have a choice of several hotel chains and airlines, though we're strongly encouraged to pick the most cost-effective one. It would be unacceptable (against our policy) to pick United over American just because I'd earn more frequent flyer miles (as a 1K) if American offers an equally convenient flight that is cheaper. I am sure it would be considered equally unacceptable to book a Hyatt if a Marriott next door offered a rate that is $20 cheaper. Not that they'd necessarily find out, but who'd want to risk their job over this?
As for your Per Diem and only "consuming" part of that -- I've never received a per diem, but I think that's perfectly acceptable.