Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
For Design hotels, does one need to book through Starriott to get points? I know this was true under SPG to get benefits at the property, and SPG.com didn't show any special rate plans or special offers for these hotels, even though discounted prices and rates that include breakfast were included on the Design Hotels website or in some cases through the property's own website. It's not obvious to me that the rate the OP booked through Concur can earn points but YMMV.
There are several outside sites, like Concur, FHR, and other business-oriented sites (GDS based), that do earn points. It's mainly the OTA sites like Orbitz, Yahoo Travel, Hotels.com, among others that credit is likely to be denied. I believe they either negotiate their own rate and tack on $s to the guest, or demand a commission, that's what I've heard they are trying to avoid. None of the programs will prevent their biggest commercial customers from getting credit. Marriott doesn't have that many feet to shoot.