2016 switching to Marriott?
 

So here's my dilemma..

I am a Elite Diamond member with Choice and honestly I'm just sick of them. I am a manufacturer rep an cover a territory of stores and stay in the same cities and stay roughly 8-12 nights a month. What I would like to do is switch my status over to Marriott. But here's the catch.. I stay in Columbus Ohio, Louisville Kentucky and Evansville Indiana and I need to stay at a nightly rate at $100 or less if possible. I was recommended to use a special corporate rate code, and the people that use it have no issues, show no credentials, etc. I use a company Amex to pay for all my expenses. Any tricks tips would be much appreciated.

With choice honestly I'm just tired of the quality of the hotels at the rate I pay. I've been an Elite Diamond for awhile now and have been recognized maybe once? Not that I'm looking for freebies for being diamond but atleast thank you and maybe acknowledge?

Anyways thank you!

I haven't stayed at a Choice property in many years so hard for me to compare but don't expect white glove treatment at Marriott properties... especially at CY, RI, Fairfield, and the other budget properties. A free bottle of water and a "thank you for being a platinum member..." is about all you get. If you want to rack up the points get the Marriott credit card and pay for your rooms with it. One of the quickest ways to plat other than a plat challenge (which actually you can probably do). Good luck.

It's going to be tough to consistently find legitimate rates in those cities within your budget. Maybe using Look No Further discounts...

As much as I love Marriott, I'd be thinking about other options that tend to hit a bit lower of a price point, like IHG or Best Western.

Unfortunately I do not have the ability to do that. Our company wants all expenses besides gas on our Amex.

I have talked to a couple of other individuals and they seem to always have good luck with the corporate rate code. They have never been asked for any sort of identification and under the rate rules there is no restrictions unless I'm missing something. I'm not looking to get treated like royalty but have been recognized once in a year as a diamond me ever.

Any other special rate codes or does anyone have any luck calling a hotel asking for a certain rate if your giving them x amount of nights a month?

You can check out the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...ion-codes.html Wiki thread.

As for using the corporate rate, all I will say there is you will be using a rate that is supposed to be for certain employees (and possibly clients/vendors/etc). Even if the rate doesn't mention needing an ID, there is always the possibility you could be asked to prove your dealings with the company. The possibility may well be very low, but it will still be there. So just be aware and if they catch you, be willing to pay for whatever rate they choose to offer you.

We don't even have the exception for gas. :(

Just throwing this out here...

I have had two stays so far this year. Both hotels emailed ahead of time letting me know they needed proof that I was eligible for our corporate rate. Both emails mentioned that our company's rate is only for employees, not contractors or customers. Both hotels, a Ren and a FS, did ask for the proof at check-in. I don't know if that's something new or just the luck of the draw on the hotels but I'm two for two on being asked.

Here is one of the emails, with identifying information changed:
Note that the email address I use with Marriott, the one to which this email was sent, has the company name after the @ sign. I do work for what is akin to a subsidiary, but it's still obvious from the email address.

Ha! We also have to use a fuel card. I wish I could expense it all myself. Welp I might have to look into other options.

Anytime you use a corporate code you're not entitled to you take the chance of being asked for ID. Oftentimes you won't be asked, but if you are & you don't have it then you may be charged rack rate. Always check the rate rules too, as usually a property will have the verbiage about corporate id being shown. Doesn't mean they can't ask for it, even if it's not in the rules.

If you're going to stay at a particular hotel(s) on a regular basis, it can't hurt to contact the property to see if you can get a negotiated rate for yourself. Best case they come up w/ something you can live with for your corporate restrictions; worst case they say no. You don't ask; you don't get.

As others mentioned you won't get a lot of bennies/recognition at the limited service Marriott properties, but they might be nicer than Choice.

Cheers.

You might want to see if VIP still works, I used to get some serious discounts from it and you can join for about $100 per year and be legit.

Yeah, that is the same as us. As a non-fleet car driver, I don't have a gas card like those people do. Gas for rental cars goes on the Amex.

Getting back to Cincy's original question.... Given that you're traveling in second- and third-tier cities and have $100/night cost cap you're probably looking at staying primarily at limited service properties within the Marriott family. That means lots of Courtyards, Fairfield Inns, TownePlace Suites, etc.. At these properties elite status doesn't get you much. Basically it's just bonus points.

As such I recommend considering other brand families. In fact, the first one I'd think of for someone in your situation is Choice... which you're looking to leave! I suggest you review your reasons for leaving and be sure the grass is really greener on the other side. If not Choice then look at Best Western or IHG. Both have more choices of properties in small towns and suburban locations than MR.

Also consider whether there's really value in sole-source loyalty for someone in your shoes. Would you have an easier time finding comfortable properties below your spending cap if, say, you considered MR, HH, IHG, and Choice for each stay?

Although IHGs scheme is not as good at full service recognition as Marriotts, it doesn't sound as if your budget is going to stretch to full service. That being the case then IHG is really worth a second look for you.

With IHG you'll find plenty of HI and HIX in your budget range wherever you are. Most HIs are pretty good at recognition providing room upgrades and a few even free breakfasts. HIX have less to upgrade to but are generally newer properties and of course their rates include breakfast. As a 75 nights "Spire Elite" you'll receive 20 points per $, and 25,000 points every year you stay top tier. IHG points redeem on a very similar basis to Marriott, but you'll earn more of them, and when redeeming IHG has some much nicer Crowne Plazas and Intercontinentals.

Marriott is my first choice but in places where I can't find a Marriott I can almost always find an IHG. It's well worth a look.

I think you are going to be pressed on actually finding rates with Marriott that low. Thinking back over the past year when I was staying at a Marriott in a smaller market, it didn't equal low rates even at a Fairfield. I can't remember the last time I've paid under $100.

One thing I will share with you is if you opt to stay at only three property locations you mention and spend a considerable amount of time there, you WILL be noted on General Dynamics monthly reports. They look at each property occupancy for use of the code and after a certain period, if certain hotels continue to pop up, the company will eventually ask who is staying there.

As an example, our company uses Concur as an internal travel tool, and they match nights booked at a hotel to the nights in the system to track which employees are using the system or not as its loss rebates. Another thing is they look which properties are trending and rank each property and try to figure out why employees are staying there a lot - better hope that GD has enough need for employees in those particular markets so you don't seem like an odd line in their reports. My recommendation, don't use the code. You may get away a few times, but eventually the constant reporting will eventually show up and they will investigate if they don't ask for ID when you check in (majority of time I don't for our company code but have a few times last time). IMO you'll get away for a while but it will eventually catch up to you if you abuse at limited properties.

At CYs, I almost always get a suite upgrade. Note I have to ask for it when I check in, but if they have one available I've been able to get it (and that is with 5 night stays which is my norm right now.) And even at FFIs, they have their "extended" rooms to which I can usually get an upgrade to as well. (Again, I normally have to ask at check-in.)