Book with partner’s corporate code
 

I am a gold elite and like to book with my partner’s corporate code. On check in, can I present my partner staff id for verification if requested?

thanks!

NO, this would be fraud. Depending on your partner's company and the terms of their contract with the hotel or with Marriott, improper use of such a corporate discount intended for business travel by the employee could be a fireable offense. You're really not supposed to know a corporate code unless you're an employee or contractor of that company.

Marriott is usually very strict about using Corporate codes.I have worked with several consultants that tried to use a former company's code (IBM, etc) and at check in they were required to produce a valid company ID. Since they couldn't, they were changed the full, going rate of $300 instead of the Corp rate of around 100.

I am assuming you mean business partner and not life partner. If it is business partner that you are working with on that trip...

I have had to do this a few times each year. Usually they ask my company name at check-in and when I say my company instead of the customer there is some push-back until it is explained that I am working/visiting the other company. If you are concerned, reach out to either your customer or the hotel to ensure you can use the rate and that there would be no issue. Only three times fifteen years did I have an issue...

• Once at the Downtown Brooklyn Marriott the customer had such a good rate that they had to send a letter to the hotel ahead of time letting them know I was entitled to use the rate. My contact knew this, told me ahead of time and arranged for the letter to be sent. When I checked in the clerk asked some questions to confirm that it was me and mentioned the advance authorization.
• Once we used our customer's rate at the Franklin TN Marriott. A salesperson made the reservation. I did not know at the time it was with the customer discount. Someone from the customer company called me the day before arrival asking who I was visiting at the company the next day. Apparently the company was provided the names and tried to figure out who I was supposed to visit because I was not on their list.
• Once at the Pattaya Marriott I used our corporate discount. The company has a large facility nearby that has nothing to do with what I do or my division. When I checked in I was asked many questions until they told me the facility was wondering why I was there. The rate was honored. Later I confirmed with our travel dept that the rate could be used by employees on vacation, but I never used it again.

If you mean life partner he/she will need to reach out to your company and see if employees' family members can use the rate and, if so, how.

I have probably around 500 real nights with Marriott and I have never been asked for corporate IDs or proof. Although I have worked for 2 large consulting companies

I worked for one of the largest companies on the planet, was staying at CY, checking in late and the desk clerk asked for proof I worked for the company. I pointed out she was holding my corporate Amex which clearly said it was a corporate card from Brand X. That was not good enough for her. She insisted on a business card, which I fished out of my computer bag. All I could think was anyone could get a business card printed at Kinko's (back then it was Kinko's) but Amex was not going to send a corporate card to just anyone.

Hi, I think I made a mistake in explaining. My partner will be traveling with me and she will have her staff pass with her.

so booking is under my name so we enjoy elite benefits and I get elite nights, she is the second guest. But I like to use her corporate code which is a better rate.

No problem as long as she is with you in the room you can use her discount. She can also be listed as the primary guest, you as the second and as long as your MR# is on the reservation as the second guest you will get your elite benefits. You do not have to be the primary guest, just a listed guest and in the room.

Using corporate codes in the US many times, I have never once been asked for an ID. Overseas it's a different matter, they tend to follow the rule by the book.

I see no problems using a corporate discount code from someone who is staying in the room being reserved. There may be some technicality with this (or maybe not), but it's very different than if that person wasn't present.

doubtful - I don't think one's employment is tied to proper use of company corporate codes.

There could be a problem is the employee isn't authorized to use the corporate code for personal travel, which is what this seems to be.

I use the IBM code as a contractor at least 12 times a year. There is only one property that religiously asks for ID - Newark Airport. They require a letter from IBM stating that you are a legit contractor.

I actually did get a letter from a SVP and still after 3 months they refuse to credit me the difference of the rate and the walk up rate. Needless to say I have boycotted that property along with my team of about 15 individuals.

Total "loss" to that property so far in 2018 is roughly $17,000 however the goodwill loss is far greater.

Yes, corporate codes are for employees of the company and many to allow personal travel use as well, but still when the employee is travelling.

As to knowing the code, it would help if MR would choose a code other than what is published in every financial paper around the world. At least MR has assigned our ticker symbol as our code and several others that I know about.