Marriott not a "FedRooms" provider
Sep 28, 2018, 5:40 pm
#1
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Marriott not a "FedRooms" provider
I'm a US Gov't employee, and the Government is now getting much more insistent in us staying only in FedRooms. For some reason, Marriott isn't included in their hotels (IHG, Hilton, etc all are). Anyone know why this is?
Sep 28, 2018, 6:34 pm
#3
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OP - Just look on the FedRooms website and you will see why there are multiple reasons for Marriott not to want to participate. Not the least of this is the cancellation policy which is incompatible with the current competetive landscape, but also effectively lets GSA set the rates because GSA sets the per diem. If Marriott wanted to be a government agency, it would sell to GSA. But, it doesn't.
In order to be considered into the FedRooms program, your property must meet our program requirements:
In order to be considered into the FedRooms program, your property must meet our program requirements:
- FEMA certified and ADA compliant
- Competitive rate at or below per diem
- Cancellation policy of 4 p.m. day or arrival or later (domestic) and no more than 24 hours (international)
- At least 2 crowns
- No deposit or early departure fees
- Monthly production reporting and payment
- Book FedRooms rate when requested
- Compliance with all terms and conditions
- Complimentary guest room internet
Sep 28, 2018, 7:30 pm
#4
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Thanks to both of you for your replies.
I wonder if it is a good business decision for Marriott. My agency has well over 50,000 employees. Many of whom travel. I put in about 75 to 100 nights a year. Too bad. Looks like I'll have to switch to Hilton.
I wonder if it is a good business decision for Marriott. My agency has well over 50,000 employees. Many of whom travel. I put in about 75 to 100 nights a year. Too bad. Looks like I'll have to switch to Hilton.
Sep 28, 2018, 8:03 pm
#5
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Sep 28, 2018, 8:11 pm
#6
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Were that the case, I would agree with you. My experience is that government per diem rates are only marginally less than the regular rates. About 10% of the time, they are actually higher than advertised rates. Of course the cancellation policy, free wifi, etc are perks that cost some money.
Sep 28, 2018, 8:35 pm
#7
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I have a friend who works for a limited-service property. I'm not sure what FedRooms is, but I know his property offers gov't rates of $111/night, when rack rates are much higher. One of the things he & I were talking about recently is that often they get someone who books the gov't rate on the weekends for 2-3 rooms (and they know it's really for a softball tournament or something). The property asks for gov't ID & usually the person can provide it & assumes it will cover all rooms, but it does raise the question of how many rooms by a single gov't employee can be booked & if the gov't is ok w/ its rate being used for softball tourneys, especially when rack rates are so much more.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Sep 28, 2018, 9:00 pm
#8
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I have a friend who works for a limited-service property. I'm not sure what FedRooms is, but I know his property offers gov't rates of $111/night, when rack rates are much higher. One of the things he & I were talking about recently is that often they get someone who books the gov't rate on the weekends for 2-3 rooms (and they know it's really for a softball tournament or something). The property asks for gov't ID & usually the person can provide it & assumes it will cover all rooms, but it does raise the question of how many rooms by a single gov't employee can be booked & if the gov't is ok w/ its rate being used for softball tourneys, especially when rack rates are so much more.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Wasn't it also true if you belong to say CPA, and you use the association's corporate rate. The more member use it, the stronger the next round of negotiation the representative of CPA can be in getting even more advantageous rates?
Sep 28, 2018, 9:02 pm
#9
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Sep 29, 2018, 4:44 am
#10
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Thank you for your replies.
I should have mentioned that Marriott/SPG have always offered Gov't rates. I've booked my stays at M/SPG properties for years. They still offer those rates at Gov't per diem prices.
It's just that now my agency is clamping down on only using FedRooms whereas before they only cared about getting the Gov't rate--FedRoom or not. Thus after years of staying at M/SPG, I now have to switch
I should have mentioned that Marriott/SPG have always offered Gov't rates. I've booked my stays at M/SPG properties for years. They still offer those rates at Gov't per diem prices.
It's just that now my agency is clamping down on only using FedRooms whereas before they only cared about getting the Gov't rate--FedRoom or not. Thus after years of staying at M/SPG, I now have to switch
Sep 29, 2018, 7:15 am
#12
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Sep 29, 2018, 8:31 am
#13
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Thank you for your replies.
I should have mentioned that Marriott/SPG have always offered Gov't rates. I've booked my stays at M/SPG properties for years. They still offer those rates at Gov't per diem prices.
It's just that now my agency is clamping down on only using FedRooms whereas before they only cared about getting the Gov't rate--FedRoom or not. Thus after years of staying at M/SPG, I now have to switch
I should have mentioned that Marriott/SPG have always offered Gov't rates. I've booked my stays at M/SPG properties for years. They still offer those rates at Gov't per diem prices.
It's just that now my agency is clamping down on only using FedRooms whereas before they only cared about getting the Gov't rate--FedRoom or not. Thus after years of staying at M/SPG, I now have to switch
If you have the option of booking a Marriott hotel at the same per-diem price as a FedRooms hotel what can your agency do about it? IMO it would be difficult to justify denying reimbursement when the cost is the same.
P.S. I'd like the last two thirds of my FT handle back please...
Sep 29, 2018, 8:57 am
#14
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Our software now flags when a Fedroom is not used and requires an explanation. In addition a memo just went out saying that leadership will be now approving travel in addition to our immediate supervisor. In that memo it said we had to use a FedRoom and listed the advantages in doing so.
Sep 29, 2018, 9:06 am
#15
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I'm curious about how your agency will be enforcing this new edict. Especially since my agency hasn't implemented the same.
If you have the option of booking a Marriott hotel at the same per-diem price as a FedRooms hotel what can your agency do about it? IMO it would be difficult to justify denying reimbursement when the cost is the same.
P.S. I'd like the last two thirds of my FT handle back please...
If you have the option of booking a Marriott hotel at the same per-diem price as a FedRooms hotel what can your agency do about it? IMO it would be difficult to justify denying reimbursement when the cost is the same.
P.S. I'd like the last two thirds of my FT handle back please...
The enforcement of using those tools is several years old in my agency.