Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
Why? Business travelers often pay lower rates and often don’t have a choice of chains. As someone not using OPM I may get a AAA rate here and there, but I also have a choice of hotels and loyalty programs may very well impact my choice.
There's a considerable amount of research that supports business travelers being less price-conscious. Most corporations (and the entire government) have a per diem limit that means hotels can't compete on price anyways. Hence the rise of awards programs.