I'll be heading to Philly next weekend for a one-night stay, with reservations at the Embassy Suites downtown. I've been reading this thread w/interest and checking Marriott properties for comparable rates with the codes you lovely FT'ers have provided. Imagine my surprise when I stumbled across a government rate of $116 a night!! I work for the Commonwealth of Virginia and have a state-employee i.d. card. Do you think I will run into any problems seeing as it's a weekend stay? Do I have to be on official "state business" to use this rate, or can I just flash my state i.d. and check in? Anyone have any experiences at this property?

I don't think you will have any problems at all. However, the rate is meant for business use and not personal use. It comes down to your personal values and ethics - there are a ton of FTers who will say that it is evil and wrong to use a biz rate code for personal use and the other half that will gladly use even other company rate codes for personal use. So ultimately, its up to you.

Chris,

Not to question you, but I don't believe that this is always true. My company has negotiated rates with three hotels near our headquarters. We specifically negotiated these rates (in part) for the large amount of training that we do for our customers, and for our executive briefing center. One of these rates (at the Ritz) makes the Ritz cheaper than the nearby Residence Inn! These are definitely not emloyees and the hotel knows it -- but they are eligible for our code when in town to do business with us.

Likewise Dell often books my rooms in Austin and they always use the Dell rate, even though I am not a Dell employee. I really don't think that either company is doing something shady and the sales reps from the hotels seem much more interested in getting room nights than who is authorized to use them. To be clear, I am not advocating unauthorized people using the rates, but I do believe that there are very gray areas here.

Here are the Marriott rules for usage of the government rate:

"We�re honored to welcome government and military personnel as our special guests. Whether you�re traveling across the country or around the world, our 2,600 Marriott hotels offer special rates at or below your US government per diem.

Marriott�s government and military rates are offered to:

� All federal, state, county and local government employees
� All active military personnel


Book now�it�s fast and easy!
Use the search box on the left to enter your destination and travel dates.

Remember to present your government or military ID, or government-issued charge card at check-in."

I see nothing that says the rate is meant for business use only or precludes the usage of the rate for non-business stays. However, the usage of the rate by those that don't qualify is, in my opinion, wrong.

I'm w/ LAXGreg on this one. When I was w/ Fortune 50 companies as employee, same policies applied. We would book our customers, trainers, etc, at our corp rate. Wasn't shady & both sides were ok w/ it as it met room night requirements/revenue. That of course is different than some of the scenarios posted throughout the thread.

I don't think I'll have problem on upcoming trip but if I do, will let client sort it out. I also like the public codes mentioned cuz they've saved me & other FTers funds (that we then used for more Marriott stays ) & didn't require being employee etc.

Cheers. Sharon

I have a reservation in Ireland in a couple days...I was checking back to see if I could do better than the M11 rate - 131 Euro at the Marriott Druids Glen Golf Resort that includes breakfast for 2. I was trying some of the codes in this thread and plugged in NPR...To my SHOCK I got a rate of 10 Euro.

2 questions...

1. What's NPR for? It came up with PROMOTIONS - NAT'L/REG under "Rate Program" - I see something on here about the entertainment book...I have one...

2. Are they obligated to honor it? It says NOTHING about needing any special ID upon check-in.

I'm worried about canceling the 131 rate and getting there and someone being strict and not honoring it. I realize it's low...but after 140 nights this year, no EEO certificates (mine NEVER show up) and 4 years as a platinum...am I due for a "Gift?"

THOUGHTS???

ChazDawg

Would you happen to have that code readily available?

ahhhhh... nevermind.

I believe that NPR stands for "National Promotional Rate" as opposed to LPR which is "Local Promotional Rate". But, various hotels seem to use them for various purposes. Some even use them for the VIP athletic rate. I'd say go ahead and book a room at the 10 Euro rate and print out the T&C / rate rules. Also print out a copy of your 131 rate reservation before cancelling it. If they try to balk on the 10 euro rate, and you show them the 131 rate you cancelled, I'd think they'd be willing to compromise and at least give you the 131 rate.

A 10 Euro rate is likely not going to be accepted. I would book this property with M11 (Marriott Rewards Exclusive) which results in a rate of 97 Euro/night. It's a nice property which lots of neat things to see within driving distance and a great staff.

I tried to use that code (m11)...and others for Nov. 26th...131 is the best I can get via the website...not sure what day you got 97 for...but no luck for me.

ChazDawg

Unless it specifically excludes personal travel, I wouldn't worry about using GOV rate for personal stay. Some other chains like Hilton and Hyatt will specifically state that government rates are for business use only. Marriott has never (to my knowledge) done that. But you better have your id (for any non-gov people reading this).

How would you prove/disprove that you're on a personal stay?

When I was a government employee (1979-88), all of my coworkers and I loved Marriott because the whole company is extraordinarily friendly to government employees (and the military even more!). I was told that this policy came straight from the top, from J.W. Marriott, Sr. Nobody at any Marriott hotel ever complained about my using government rates, even when I was clearly vacationing with my family and doing nothing to disguise that fact. Marriott earned my lifetime loyalty then and probably couldn't do anything to lose it!

Bruce

Are any of you aware of a special rate code for use by Fedex Employees? Thanks.

They could (and some hotels -- not Marriotts -- do) ask to see your official travel orders when you check in. If you have them, it's evidence the trip is official (business); if you don't, well, . . .