Originally Posted by sdsearch

FWIW, I've found (in various hotel programs, not just Marriott) many discount codes that produce no discount from the lowest rate in an area. Sometimes they produce a discount only at the most expensive hotels (and then only a slight discount, so if I was looking for the least expensive hotel, who cares), sometimes they produce a discount only for certain room types (not the cheapest room type at the hotel), sometimes they add "more" to your room rather than lowering the cost (but whether that "more" is of any use to your not, that's a separate question). And some raise the price you see at first glance on a hotel because either they only work for some room types (and not the cheapest, and now it's only showing you the room types the rate works with), or because they add "more" but then charge a substaintial part of the cost of that "more" (ie, a rate might give you breakfast for two people at slightly below the in-hotel cost of the breakfast for two people, but way above the in-hotel cost of the breakfast for one person).