Originally Posted by
PHLGovFlyer
Marriott appears to have recently (within the last 6 weeks) instituted a small but significant change in the government rate rules across most (or maybe all) of their properties.
The caveat about "Only eligible to government employees on official business" is the big change from the prior rules. Previously most properties would allow government employees to use the gov rate for leisure trips (while not on official travel). This policy seems to have changed, and is likely what the front desk agent was referring to when they mentioned the "big meeting". Note that this change aligns with Hilton's policy which also typically restricts gov rates to travelers on official business.
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I have noticed it too. It changed sometime in the last 4 weeks or so.
Unfortunately like all sweeping rule changes it catches old reservations that were made before the change. Having stayed in two properties this week it was not an issue. But for future far out reservations it would be.
It was always the deciding factors to choose Marriott over Hilton because of that limitation. Not any more.