+1 on checking what rate and channel your Corporate TA used to make your booking. Many of the corporate booking portals; Concur, etc., now intermingle ineligible OTA rates with the direct book rates. You have to be very careful to ensure you book a direct rate rather than an ineligible OTA rate (bookings.com, etc.). Ironically, the OTA rates are frequently identical to the direct book rates. So I am guessing Concur or the Corporate Travel agent must be getting an incentive to steer people to the OTA rates.

Bottomline, I think your beef is most likely with your Corporate TA. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and give very clear instructions to them you only want direct bookings with Marriott (or other hotel vendors) for all future reservations. Even better, if your corporate travel policy permits it, make your own bookings. You will be far more diligent about it than any Corporate TA. Good Luck. YMMV....

P.S. This problem isn't unique to Marriott. IIRC Hilton has a similar restriction on qualifying stays. Not sure on IHG nor Hyatt.



--Jon