This is my first posting on FlyerTalk so hopefully I handle it in a sufficient manner.

I am a state university professor and travel on research related business quite frequently. We are required to stay at the government rate, whenever possible, so I can speak from experience with respect to IHG. Although I have always used my university ID in the past, I had an issue where I checked into a Marriott late and the desk clerk failed to return my university ID card. Having not realized this until I arrived back home, and was preparing to leave for my next trip consisting of three IHG stays, I phoned IHG and was directed to their government web site and printed the card in reference.

Upon checking in to ALL three hotels, I presented the web ID card, but was also asked to produce additional identification at two of the three hotels. Fortunately, I had university business cards that satisfied their needs. I've since had my ID returned to me from the Marriott and subsequently had another ID produced by the university.

My suggestion for you is to obtain a letter from your university stating that you are traveling on university related business.