+1000. I do not understand why people think it is OK to lie and cheat. That is 1 of the big problems we have today.

Is that ok with Company X?

Hmmm, let's see. Although that might be good for your bottom line today, it could have an effect on it tomorrow. Sometimes corporate contracts include a volume guarantee and if the company does not fill enough rooms during the term of the contract, there may be a penalty payment due or a higher rate during the next contract term. And on the flip side, some contracts may limit the number of rooms at the low rate, so by using company Y's rate, you may be denying one of their employees being able to get that rate. YMMV

It's things like this that cause properties to be sticklers on IDs and the such and as more people abuse the program, we will see more properties invoke insane rules like seeing company names on company IDs (not unreasonable, but not always possible). I have heard some claim just because they show rates online without verification, that they can be considered publicly available rates (i.e. Government rates).

Oh yeah the customer is paying so the cheaper rate is always best. My company has thousands of guys in hotels nightly, so our rate won't be impacted so the few times I use the other companies rate, no biggie and we all win. Example my company is $449 in DC this week and the other guy rate is $229 so I used the other guy rate. Next week our rate in DC is cheaper so I will use our code.

I could see where this could be an issue with smaller companies where Marriott might send reports to the travel teams where I was in hotels 200 nights but only used our rate 100 nights. But we're a monster organization so it won't matter.

Our corporate policy allows us to use our corporate rate when traveling on leisure. It's in our internal t&c's and we have a letter from marriott corporate sales management. They simply request that we indicate non-business trip as personal or leisure when reserving a room or when asked by FD personnel.

The only time I use another corporate rate (that of my client), is when THEY book the travel on my behalf (in which case their corporate travel policy is in effect). They almost always include a letter and temp ID I can use for the rental cars and hotels (if not, a quick call fixes it).

Or the few times the thousands of others do the same as you???

I love how we can always justify what we do.

Who is justifying it? I really don't care what you call it. I just do it for the customer. Whatever is cheaper, live with it and move on. Just because you don't do it you cry justify. LOL. I would love to see you do your taxes.

Some organizations are bit more rigorous than that.

Or you do your expense reports.

Everyone wins? What about the hotel? Or, do they not count?

Of course the hotel wins, I am there for 4 nights every week, otherwise I would chose a different hotel that offered a cheaper rate, most likely a Marriott. Been LP for a few years, doing the BIB time and paying high rates or low rates. My expense reports are per diem and airfare is corp billed. Basically it's hotel per nights and per diem. Not much to fudge there but I ain't justifying it, someone else is. I just do it every week, year after year. Marriott loves my loyalty and I appreciate their haggle free checkin when using some other rate.

If Marriott busted my chops on it I would move on to Hilton, oh yeah, got status there too, or Westin or Hyatt, have status there too and use different company rates. Like I said whatever is cheaper for the customer. That's it. Not even a second thought ever. Even checked in last week and checkin in DC said oh I see your company x guy and gave her my company y ID, LOL, guess she really cared.

I think your pissed because I don't care and either does the checkin person. Just get me my room and here's my CC? See you next week and the next 8 weeks after that. In this case, I have used Government rate, company y, company x, company z codes at same hotel for over 17 weeks, not a peep. Heck I even used an AARP rate, lol, see you next week.

it's a Federal offense to impersonate a US Gov't employee but then again as you say you don't care and it seems Marriott doesn't either (per your post) but it's still a Fed offense so perhaps we'll see ya behind bars then we'll see who cares.

I have a Federal ID, why are you assuming I don't. In grad school didn't they teach you, 'Don't Assume', you have no to little future in business or a long business career. When did I state I did not have a Federal Gov't ID? Not only do I have one I have two active from two different agencies. My post was about the example when I was using a different company rate and not mine when on company business at Marriott or wherever to save the customer money.

Behind bars for someone asking for a Gov't Rate at a Marriott Check In, dude that's as good as it gets. Call the A team. Relax man, it's gonna be alright. Liberals have scared you to death I see.

My, my, my, what an interesting thread this has become.

As a consultant, we use different company codes all the time, sometimes our own, sometimes the clients, sometimes government (you know, because sometimes we WORK for the government).

leeky seems to be on some high horse for some odd reason...

There should be no problem using a client code (unless prohibited by hotel contract). Unfortunately, not many are privy to the contract terms and not everyone at the company is "authorized" to extend usage to a non-employee. There is a local CY that has a sign posted at the front desk that specifically states our company contractors are NOT allowed to use the company rate (and yes, our company was called out specifically!). Personally made us sound cheap.

Often, when bringing in candidates for interviews, we've had to provide a property with a letter stating names and dates of arrival. And if we were paying for any part of the stay, specify what we were covering (typically room & tax only). Along with the department code to be billed.