Originally Posted by
Colin
a business card or even just a relevant email adress proving the corporate domain will always be sufficient to validate eligibility for a corporate rate. the idea that a professional needs a letter from his manager stating the business nature of a trip is ludicrous. to all those who have a reasonable grip on reality, have zero pause that hyatt won’t allow you to stay on a corporate rate associated with your real life employer when the true nature of the travel is leisure.
What you described is not how a business travel only rate is actually enforced. To your point, the hotel is not going to know Jane Doe is John Smith’s manager even if presented with an email approval.
For contracts that do specify business travel only and is actually enforced, arrangements have been made between business and specific properties that hotel will check the name of the travel agency the booking was made from and are on the look out that these business travel only corporate rate should only be honored if made by a certain travel agency. That business’ travel agency will not make bookings without approval from travelers manager.
Andaz Maui asked for company ID last week. I was using my company's leisure rate code which was about 1/3 the "Member Rate". I wonder if the level of discount is considered when asking for proof of eligibility.
level of discount/email address/if booked by agency/history of past abuses with that rate etc YMMV