Originally Posted by
emma dog
Hi All,
Two related questions... I’m confused about one as I’m not sure this is a post-merger thing.
First question. Marriott says you don’t get points, etc, when booking through third parties. If I attend a large conference (spanning several hotels) and book through them, I used to get all my SPG benefits and points. Will the same occur now? Is this a change with the merger?
This has been in play for quite some time with both programs. The T&Cs state an example list that includes sites like Expedia.com, Hotels.com, etc. that exclude earning benefits. However, sites like FHR, Concur, etc. are acceptable. It would not be wise for them eliminate channels mandated by the larger companies, but not out of the question I guess. The other acid test is if you pay the hotel or someone else. If you are on a master bill (many rooms on a single bill) then no credit is due. If you are on a direct bill (single bill for each room) then you should get credit.[/quote]
Second question. My employer now requires us to use either conference sites to book rooms or BCD/TBiz travel. Am I correct in assuming that I will now lose elite benefits, etc.? I’m on track to spend 60-70 nights in a hotel this year, the majority of which is conference-related business travel.
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Again, you most likely will get credit as the commercial vendors will be within the umbrella of what's allowed. Typically, the low-cost OTAs will be excluded.
It seems companies are of the mind using a corporate travel service is cheaper and keep the employee from gaining benefits from business travel. Yes, this may be totally false, but if they get to put down the steps they've taken to control business expenses gets them closer to their bonus check, fine.