RogerD408

It's all up to the contract the company has with SPG. Some restrict the rate to employees travelling on company business, some allow employees (and maybe even retirees) to use the rate for personal travel, some extend their rate to vendors/customers sometimes requiring special permission (letter of introduction). Some contracts call for a specific number of rooms to be available, some cover last room available. Some contracts call for usage reports back to the company, some don't (or don't get looked at too closely). So there is no one answer to your question.

Typically, I expect SET codes to be used for company business. As long as you don't misrepresent yourself as being a company employee, and the property accepts you using the rate then you should be fine.

yosithezet

Perhaps, but not on FlyerTalk.

RogerD408

Sorry, I meant about the rules, not the codes.

clarkef

A GM from the Marriott forum explained why unauthorized use of rate codes hurts the business. The simplified way he explained it is as follows: Suppose a hotel has 100 rooms and routine sells out 60 room on average per night. It is happy to give you a discounted rate is you average no more than 20-40 rooms per night. That way it gets rid of those remaining, empty rooms. But if unauthorized users of your rate code bring your average up to say 50 rooms, then you are taking away at least 10 rooms that are expected to be sold at the higher, undiscounted rate. Thus the hotel is losing money. When you go to renegotiate your rates next year you will actually get a worse rate at that hotel because you took too many rooms.

That's why businesses will audit the usage of the rate codes

seawolf

True especially if the rate qualifies for LRA.

spgplat21

I suppose, but I can't imagine there are that many companies that take up such a large number of rooms at one hotel regularly. And if they did, would that property really want to risk losing all those reservations by screwing them in the next round of negotiations. It seems like regularly selling 50 rooms at a discounted rate would be better than gaining 10 additional undiscounted rates during a limited number of high demand periods.

RNE

That GM's explanation is nothing but snake oil. It's intended to spook would-be usurpers. Truth: the more nights used the lower the rate the business pays. Period. Businesses audit usage rarely, and when they do, it's only to placate the hotel in question.

Dr. HFH

Try a small local hotel within a half-mile of any suburban corporate HQ of a Fortune 500 company. I specifically recall a Red Roof Inn not far from Boeing HQ when I worked for them years ago. It probably would have been cheaper if Boeing had simply purchased the hotel.

angusho

Does SPG check ID for using SET codes?

248N8

I've been asked to show a business card or contract from time to time.

RNE

Anyone ever denied a SET rate for not being able to produce a business card or contract? No.

angusho

Found $70 saving using IBM code in Chicago. Would I be ask to show IBM ID? Could I show my business card and claim to have a meeting with IBM officials? Thanks for answering!

seawolf

While this particular GM’s explanation might be questionable, more volume isn't necessary desirable by the business. I do know of corporate rates on two hotels that have been "locked" down by requiring the booking to come from the corporate designated travel agency because the number of guests illegitimately using the rate is resulting in approved guests being displaced due to lack of room availability.

Dr. HFH

Odds are that you'll be OK. The problem, though, is that if the request ID and you don't have it, you'll likely be paying rack. So you have to decide whether you're comfortable with the downside risk and odds. Multiply them, of course, for the predicted downside cost. I.e., if you figure a 10% chance of being carded, and it will cost you an extra $200 to pay rack, then your predicted cost is $20. Of course, if this is the stay on which you're carded, your actual cost os still $200.

TravelinSperry

I have been asked a few times as well... although it was more prevalent in years I was SPG Gold and is less prevalent in years I'm Platinum.

The lower the rate the higher the odds are you'll be asked imo. Personally that rate sounds quite low. As for your idea... you could try it they might accept. But as the poster below states... rack rate if they don't. Can't imagine that the risk is worth it to you.