park hyatt tokyo corporate code
 

i've found a pretty good rate using the ibm corporate code--33000 yen per night, nearly half of the rack rate. i'm wondering if anyone has any other corporate codes which might get me an even better rate.


and, has anyone here, a non ibm employee attempted to use their corporate code. have you been successful? i would not be able to pay the rack rate if they threw that at me at the last minute. do they actually send my name to ibm to confirm, or just ask for a biz card?

It's illegal to use such code anyway, and if you cannot afford to pay rack rate, I say - you cant stand the heat, don't play with fire.
I think IBM is gonna send hitman after Hyatt has reported you. :D

you are ridiculous
 

i'll never understand why people post such ridiculous replies to honest posts. if you think it is dishonorable to use a corporate code, then don't use one. if you don't have an answer to my question, don't waste the time to post nonsense. it wastes everyone's time.

Most overseas properties strictly enforce corporate code requirements. What you end up doing and the consequences is ultimately your call. Give it a try and report if you feel so.

Welcome to FT!

Welcome to FT, jrnlmkr, even if so far it hasn't been that friendly a welcome!

Without delving into the morality of this issue, I can say that the PH Tokyo is one of the relatively few Hyatt hotels that often asks for proof of eligibility for a corporate rate at check-in. So I'd suggest that you try this only if you are prepared to be denied, which means you would end up paying rack rate for at least one night.

I'll also add that it is virtually impossible that inappropriate use of a corporate discount rate would EVER be regarded as illegal. This is an issue in contract law and the extreme recourse is a lawsuit which would pretty much never happen in Japan where people avoid the court system whenever possible.

Properties in Asia are strict, Japan one of the strictest. They often insist on verification by contacting headquarters of the corporation.

Remember that they have a copy of your passport at check in and credit card details. They will charge you the balance for rack even after you have checked out, which they are entitled to do.

That's pretty extreme, I've stayed in quite a few properties in Japan as well as elsewhere in Asia and around the world on my corporate rate (one I am eligible for) and they have absolutely never "contacted headquarters." I don't even know how to do that and I work there. They will also never charge you after your bill has been settled and you have checked out, that is borderline absurd.

The question of the ethical nature of this is an entirely different topic, but 99% of time there will not verify. In fact, the only time I've ever been asked to provide some support for my corporate rate was when I walked off the street into a hotel and asked them to book me on it. Even in that case, a business card sufficed.

While I agree with IncyWincy that Japanese hotels and staff usually play by the book, it is virtually impossible to contact HQ of a corporation for identification purpose.

Firstly, what if the customer arrives late at night, do you think the hotel can reach someone at a corporation that can tell them whether the customer is an employee of their company? In case of global corporations like IBM or Toyota, with hundred and thousand of employees in the world, it is impossible for the hotel to verify that.

Secondly, whether or not someone is an employee of a company or not is considered privacy. In the past, privacy in Japan was not valued as much as the West, but with recent implementation of various laws to improve privacy in Japan, I doubt someone in the HQ would just release employee information over the phone to some hotel.

Still, prepare to pay the rack rate in case they ask you for your ID. Japanese rarely make exception, because it's their job on the line.

Welcome to FT.

For those of you who keep asking the same question, I tried to place a mock reservation at the PH Tokyo using the IBM corporate code, and found the following statement listed under "rate description":

Hyatt Contract - Cr Number Required at Time of Booking - Valid Company Id Required at Check-in

As you can see, PH Tokyo is very strict and I am sure their go-by-the-book agents will ask you to show your company ID when checking in.

On the other hand, HR Tokyo and GH Tokyo do not have the above statement when using IBM code. Most Hyatt in US also don't have the above statement. So, maybe that's why company ID is not checked at other locations.

When I worked at a company I use to use their code all the time and never been asked for proof. I've been asked to show a AAA card for the AAA rate pretty often though.

The fact that it says this does not guarantee that you will be asked for ID. I've been asked for corporate ID when traveling on partner or customer business and using their rates. I've had issues three times. The first time was in Beijing and I ended up paying rack rate. The second time was in Hong Kong I ensured someone from the partner company met me when I checked-in. They had an argument with front desk and eventually I was charged the correct rate. The last time was in Montreal. I was traveling with a partner and our joint prospect. The partner had arranged all the travel and simply given me the confirmation codes. When I checked in they asked for ID. I showed the partner document with the reservation details. They didn't care and marked the room at rack rate. A few hours later the partner arrived and verified that I was with them. The rate was then reduced to the correct price.

So two cases in Asia and one in North America. As always, YMMV.

I wouldn't risk it

Where is it illegal and what statute makes it a crime? :rolleyes:

While it's true that there's no guarantee that they will ask you for your ID at PH, this is Japan we are talking here. A nation where waiters tell you NO when you want to switch something from your set menu for something else :) You see, it's very difficult for an exception to be made in Japan, because everything is listed so well, and people get into troubles for bending the rules. Sure, you can play the "dumb gaijin" card, but the fact that Japanese do everything by the book will tell you that they will follow everything listed in the rate description, 100% of the time.

Do you think Hyatt is stupid? When a corporate code can knock 20,000~40,000 YEN off the listed price, you'd bet they would make sure you are eligible. That's a lot of money to let go.

I wouldn't try this in Japan... it is an extremely "rules oriented" society and you are not likely to get away with it. They will ask you for ID and when you fail to present it, they will charge you the rack rate. And don't bother with the "dumb gaijin" tactic either... everyone at the Park Hyatt speaks perfect English.

Even though its nowhere near as luxurious or service oriented, the Hyatt Regency down the street for the Park Hyatt is an excellent hotel and can usually be had for 1/4 the price. With the extra $$$ you save, you can have a wagyu beef dinner every night at the New York Grill at the Park Hyatt. :D