UA1K_PCPA_MP , your question is an easy one. That's a Marriott MegaBonus promo that Marriott offers usually 2x/ year & is covered frequently in dif threads on the forum (or discussed in the sticky which you reference), so is not generally covered in this thread. There was one that ended end of April & one that's starting up (the new one not as good as the old one).

SmartShopper, some of the codes you posted as being proprietary have not been proprietary in the past & may not be in the future. VSA is a good example, as are a couple of the others that you listed that did not have the requirements that you listed now. Hence, the validity of them still being listed.

But as w/ all codes, things change from time to time. And yes, people are expected to do their homework as to whether they are valid. Just like not all of the codes will work in all locations - ie, the code for northeast won't work on west coast for example.

Another example being LPR. I've stayed at Ren LHR numerous times under that rate, and at dif times what the terms are have varied. 95% of the time it's a publicly available rate w/ no restrictions; 5% of the time they tie it into a local company w/ co id required. It's still worth checking for the 95% of the time it is valid.

If there's a legit CORP code, then I'm sure hhoope01 & bdschoebel will take it into consideration re: deleting it. They've been very good about that.

A couple that you list as having restrictions don't have them or didn't. The Continental one does now (although I think a few years ago it didn't have that restriction). AOL doesn't have a restriction. As a paying AOL member (unlike those who have it for free) I'd argue that I'm entitled, but truthfully I've never bothered. Quite often the PKG rates or LPR get me pretty good deals & I plug those in first.

And codes come and go. You're quoting a list that was created a few years ago - not all codes stay valid. But I'm not gonna fault the OP if they change. If it's not valid, then move on.

Another rule of thumb that most of us follow is - check the rate rules. If it says be prepared to show id to get it, then be prepared to show id (required mostly on corp rates). If it doesn't & it's most likely a publicly available rate, then go for it. Technically AAA, AARP, ENT require id, but again those are easy-peasy for the general public to get. Heck, even the FL/GA resident rate is. You just have to reside in those states. So having it listed in the publicly available codes gives a heads-up to those who do reside in those states who are - oh yeah, entitled to/able to use it. @:-)

The purpose of this thread is to share publicly available codes that the majority of us would be able to use - and if you notice, a lot of them are generic codes such as PKG, HON, LPR, etc.

We're not 100% anal about it & the descriptions, however. Common sense does play a part.

And we look forward to you posting some publicly available codes in the future. BTW - since you've been on FT for 3 years & have over 400 posts, I'm a bit confused about you saying you're an outsider to FT.

Cheers.