What do they check for a corporation code
 

I need to know what they check for a corporation code. I'm only 21 and this is the first time I ever go to a hotel. I used a code online and it brought the cost down from $250 to $115 a night. It is a code for citibank. I am poor and owe child support so a brotha cant afford $250. How likely will they be to check for a id? Or what else can count for a id? Can I print something out on my computer? I'm straight poor so F*** ethics. I just want a straight dope answer.
Thanks

They might ask for corp id or they might not. If you've got it (corp biz card, corp pic id, etc), you won't have a problem. If you don't, then you'll be charged rack rate (aka, the $250).

Another alternative is to book a hotel via Priceline. Many times hotels can be booked very cheaply via Priceline, and you won't have to worry about producing a corp i.d.

There is a forum on FT called Budget Travel. You can get information there re: how to book via Priceline. You won't earn hotel points or night credit via stays booked on PL, but it doesn't sound as those are important to you as getting a reasonable rate.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/budget-travel-597/

Good luck!

Cheers.

There is a distinct possibility that you will be asked to show Citibank employee identification, such as an employee ID card or badge. Looking like a college student instead of an experienced banker will increase the chance of being asked.

Someone without proper identification may be required to pay the full, undiscounted rate.

Technically, it's fraud to claim employment falsely to get a contract rate. But I've never heard of anyone being charged with fraud under these circumstances.

Is there a Motel 6 or a Knights Inn anywhere nearby? Those might be more suitable.

There is some thats cheaper but they are in bad areas of town. but I cant carry my gun anymore though cuz im on probation and I want to be safe

Do go to the Budget Travel forum, post the city & dates you're looking for, and ask for help in getting a good hotel at an inexpensive Priceline (PL) price. You don't need to go into the guns/probation (unless you wish to, but it's not really anyone's bizness).

Just say it's your first time staying at a hotel, you're on an extremely limited budget, you don't want to stay at the Motel 6, etc, because they're not in safe areas, but would like a decent hotel in a certain area of the city. Tell them you asked on the Marriott forum, were recommended to the BT forum, you're new to both traveling & FT, and ask them for assistance & to be kind since you're new to this (sometimes folk can be snarky, as they've forgotten what it's like to be a 'newbie').

I think you'll have better luck w/ a Priceline booking in terms of getting a low rate than you will trying to pretend to be a Citi employee.

Good luck.

Cheers.

I was staying on a regular basis at a Marriott using an incorrect corp code (the corp had provided a list of valid employees) and I received a letter from the accounting department asking for the difference in costs and my upcoming reservations we put "on hold' until this was settled.
Fortunately my project had a valid corp rate so it worked out.
But yes, I've seen this matter.

Are you a AAA member (or could you become one quickly)? The AAA code usually saves a little money, sometimes a lot, and it's available to anybody. It's also almost never checked, if you want to gamble.

Bruce

I think the likeliness of being checked for ID is in how you present yourself. If you present yourself as someone who could be a Citibank employee, then you probably won't be asked.


Usually, when they ask for ID, they want ID. But if you just have a letter that says "Congratulations on accepting your offer of employment at Citibank, welcome to new employee orientation..." and that's why you don't have your ID, then maybe they'd accept that instead.


Actually, forget my above answers. That's what you want to say if they ask for ID. Since the person asking you doesn't own the hotel, I'm sure they'll agree with you and let it slide. Maybe if you're extra suave, they'll even give you the room for free. Word.


If you don't have ID, don't try to scam as if you did. You'll get caught. Life's hard, suck it up and do the right thing. Learn from your mistakes, don't repeat them. Good luck getting your gibs.

1. Why would they give you a corporate rate when you don't meet the qualifications?

2. Not only won't you get the corporate rate, but you will be offered the rack rate which will be at least twice the rate you found without a discount. If that's $250, be prepared for $500.

They aren't really as stupid as you may think. Cancel your reservation and start over at a location within your means.

The OP has a legitimate question. What type of i.d. is asked for if booking a corporate rate? It's not the first time the question has been asked on this forum, nor will it be the last.

From the responses (some of which are more polite than others), the OP now knows the type he'll need or that he might be asked to pay rack rate. He's also been told that Priceline is an option to reduce hotel costs & which forum might give him additional information on how to book Priceline. I think he would have more success with that than trying a LNF scenario.

His personal life is not our concern other than it helps us to understand why he's looking for a less expensive rate & why he doesn't want to stay in a bad section of town. I would hope that my fellow FTers would respond with information that's helpful or, if they feel they don't have information that would be helpful or can't post without being snarky, that they'd just refrain from posting & move to a different thread where they can provide help information in a friendly fashion.

Cheers.

Business card or company ID.

BTW, whats a gibs?

Agreed. I book Govt rate for every stay and I would say that I have been asked for Gov't ID only a handful of times. Each time though I think it has been when I am getting a rate much less than their normal rate (Like JW Denver for $149 vs normal rate of $300+). I am never asked for it when I am booking gov rate and it's $149 vs a normal rate of like $169.

Troll.

It definitely depends on who you get at the front desk as well, I would believe. One time I was staying on a AAA rate (a year and a half ago) and was asked for my AAA card by someone being trained - at that time I was never asked for proof so I was a bit surprised. The trainer then told the employee that she should always ask for it but if the customer is Platinum, don't worry if they don't have their card. I'm wondering if it this could be similar to a corporate rate. Needless to say, I had my card and was Platinum so in that scenario I was covered.

Also, as Pooker asked, what is a gibs?