"Changes are coming....all fenced rates will be id'd"
 

The title is actually a quote from our esteemed, but unofficial Marriott insider Socrates from this thread discussing Marriott discount codes. I felt it appropriate to start a new thread so as not to hijack the already-bloated discount codes thread.

The ethics of using of these codes has been discussed here as well, but Marriott seems to be starting a new policy of enforcement, I was wondering what the new policies will be.

This concerns me personally because as a consultant, I work for many companies under a contract basis over the course of a year. These companies request that I ask for their rate, yet I am not a direct employee.

How are these grey areas to be handled? What will constitute proof of eligibility? Companies who fly visitors in all the time will get pretty irritated if their guests are stuck paying rack rate (and charge the company back, as I do).

In my business, often times if we fly in to visit a customer, they will offer us their corporate rate at their hotel of choice. What then?

I've been a consultant for many years and have used many different company/client codes. In most cases I will not have a client id badge to show, but if asked so far, every hotel manager has taken a signed letter from the company on company letterhead. To me, any change here will probably be just business as usual (though I fully expect to need to produce those company letters more often.

I suspect that for a while we will be asked for this; however like anything else over time and factor in the 8 dollar an hour clerks and you will be able to talk you way around it... just my two cents.. except for the gov't ID thing, I think that they will be able to fence that one pretty easy..

this just in....

Marriott has sent out a notice that associates are to ID guests for ALL negotiated contract rates. That means ALL of the rates that are on your wonderful list should be ID'd now. Whether or not the front desk associate actually asks for it is another deal, but be prepared to be asked.
As for contractors (like yourself keeton), unless you show work papers with some sort of letterhead or a company ID badge or card, its likely you will run into some trouble.

I do consulting work for a couple of clients who are very anal about making sure you use their codes - or at least get rates that are at or lower than their standard rates. And no, we don't have badges or other ID that identifies us as working for them. These are major clients with a lot of travelers - if Marriott enforces an ID rule, a lot of these travelers will be forced to stay elsewhere.

I get reimbursed on actuals - there's no incentive for me to fraudulently use a corp code. (On any of my leisure trips, I can beat my corp rates with a publicly available rate plus some sort of certificate like EEO or PP, so no incentive to "steal" someone else's code there, either.) I understand they have to protect stuff like gov't rates and perhaps other very attractive ID rates (VIP, etc.). But on common corp codes I simply hope they use a little common sense on enforcement of ID's.

I just checked in on a VIP rate (a card I actually hold) which is $40 less than the AAA rate. They never asked to see it.

I debated what to say here (call it an internal edit) and decided I really have already said what I was trying to say (wow...I must be in a strange mood tonight, this post is really going in circles)...the title says it all

I guess I better brush up on my German and get me some BMW logoed clothing so I can continue using that rate where I'm staying :D

I don't see how they can keep up with it. Especially when many of the corporate rates are the same at a property.

So does this mean if I were to ref a local wrassling match I could be a member of that group.:D

Not just Marriott
 

I had Hertz ping me on ID when I went on a client trip. Naturally, as a consultant I couldn't provide the client ID (I do have one client who gives me ID, but not this one). Ironicly, it was the client's travel agency that made the reservations. Ultimately, Hertz matched the rate, but didn't provide the "negotiated benefits" (e.g. automatic insurance waivers). Fortunately, my CC had the coverage, otherwise it would have significantly increased the cost.

I think it's entirely proper to require requisite ID when a customer is staying on a corporate rate code. Written or faxed credentials are easy to effect for consultants/contractors. It's not rocket science.

That said, Marriott hotels need to provide accomodations/services as specified in the reservation. I've had more than one instance now when that hasn't been done without complaint. The only rate code I ever use is AAA, of which I'm a member. I always stay either on points or a public rate.

Pat

I have seen GOV rates that are requiring use of the GOV issued CC or purchase card.

GOV rates are one of the most mis-used rates out there.

I agree about the Gov rate being one of the most misused out there, but as a government employee (not a contractor), I'm required to pay my travel charges up front and submit them for reimbursement per our Finance Department's schedule. I've been asked on a few occasions for my government ID, which I have all the time. One hotel requires their CSR's to copy my ID and attach it to the folio.

Just for giggles: A Platinum Premier walks in to your property with his wife and kids and wearing a logo shirt from, say, a tech company. He is booked with a GOV rate. How are you going to handle it? Ask for ID (yes/no)? If yes, and ID cannot be produced, do you charge the guest the rack rate on check in or change the rate after the fact? If the guest balks, do you just ask or allow them to leave, or do you try to save the business?

While I understand Marriott wanting to protect themselves from fraudulent use of corporate codes (hint: fix the website), what extent are they willing to risk pi$$ing off the good customers to protect themselves from the bad? When I worked for a retail concern, this was a very fine line you had to manage.