Booking the "corporate rate"
Oct 10, 2002, 10:48 pm
#1
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Booking the "corporate rate"
Has anyone when travelling for leisure ever booked a "corporate rate" because the rate is lower than the rack rate?
Can you get denied the corporate rate and be forced to pay the rack rate?
Can you get denied the corporate rate and be forced to pay the rack rate?
Oct 11, 2002, 10:31 am
#2
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I don't know if I understand the question, but I often use my corporate rate when traveling for pleasure. At some FS or Ritz's it is less than 1/2 the Standard rate. There is no way the hotel knows why I am staying there nor do I think they care.
Oct 11, 2002, 9:08 pm
#3
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by auh2o:
I don't know if I understand the question, but I often use my corporate rate when traveling for pleasure. At some FS or Ritz's it is less than 1/2 the Standard rate. There is no way the hotel knows why I am staying there nor do I think they care.</font>
I don't know if I understand the question, but I often use my corporate rate when traveling for pleasure. At some FS or Ritz's it is less than 1/2 the Standard rate. There is no way the hotel knows why I am staying there nor do I think they care.</font>
Oct 12, 2002, 7:57 am
#4
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Knowing who auh2o works for, it's likely his "corporate rate" is a negotiated corporate rate. These are based upon some large commitment for annual room nights. My guess is daniel is referring to a standard corporate rate that many hotels offer for the asking. These are often only 10-12% below rack.
I recently booked a Ritz in a resort town over Thanksgiving using my large company's negotiated corporate rate. The price was around 50% below rack of $395, and 28% below the lowest promotional rate I could find. My guess is if I called the hotel and was able to get a non-negotiated corporate rate, it would be something in the range of $360.
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 10-12-2002).]
I recently booked a Ritz in a resort town over Thanksgiving using my large company's negotiated corporate rate. The price was around 50% below rack of $395, and 28% below the lowest promotional rate I could find. My guess is if I called the hotel and was able to get a non-negotiated corporate rate, it would be something in the range of $360.
[This message has been edited by Craig6z (edited 10-12-2002).]
Apr 12, 2005, 5:38 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2004
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I notice that many hotels are showing corporate rates on their websites, and there are no restrictions listed as to who may book these. Those are the rates which, as stated above, are only slightly lower than the regular rate. I don't think there is any problem in booking these, and I have been offered such rates over the phone when calling the hotel companies. I know that in the past, these rates used to be a little more restrictive, and I would be asked to bring a business card or something showing that I worked for someone. Didn't seem to matter who! Negotiated corporate or government rates are another matter, and should rightfully be reserved for those who negotiated them.
Apr 12, 2005, 11:37 pm
#7
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As I work for a gargantuan company, we have negotiated corporate rates all over the world. The discounts can be very substantial over the rack rate, in some cases approaching 40%. I haven't kept track though, and the discounts vary from hotel to hotel. I use our negotiated rate almost exclusively, and in many years of travel I've yet to be asked for proof that I work for the company. I guess the corporate credit card may have something to do with that.
Apr 15, 2005, 5:04 pm
#8
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Indeed, there are some discussions on Flyertalk of the best corporate rates at various properties and across chains... and folks' success at using those rates when they aren't entitled to do so. YMMV.
Apr 16, 2005, 9:47 am
#9
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With Starwood hotels my company's corporate rate shows up automatically whenever I log on and gives me 'a rate'. I then check the AAA as well as 'promotional rates' for my stay period and just book whatever is cheaper. I've never been asked to show corp id, nor for that matter a AAA card (although I do have one if asked). For other hotels I will call and ask is my company (a very large international financial institution) has a rate with them--and if it appears cheaper than those on their web site I'll book it, if not then I go with whatever is cheaper. Although I will also take into affect if 'a free breakfast, airport transportation or other benefits are included in the quoted rate before making a final decision.