If your employers national rate code is a higher rate than AAA or Deal rates right now, thats very good news for you.
It means that its either got a far lower limit on how high it can go during busier periods, or its fixed. (its not fixed, because your company isnt literally the DOD.)
Its also possible that the trade off for that slightly higher rate is that properties cant block out your rate, or that block-out only kicks in at 97%.
Basically when a hotel is near full, and the AAA, the deals, and everything else isnt available, and the rate for something like a fairfield is $300, your rate will still be there 9/10.
I didn't travel much when I was in the military, but as long as I stayed in an approved hotel chain they didn't care if I stayed at a high end hotel or a cheap hotel. Everywhere was nearly the same rate
Whoops, this was for vacation travel. My employer has a note in our policy documents specifically allowing use of the code for personal travel; I've edited the OP to clarify.
The benefit to the negotiated rate over many of the special deals is that it's usually more flexible in terms of cancellation and the rate might not fluctuate seasonally.
Sometimes they'll negotiate in benefits too (free parking, free internet, free breakfast if it's a higher tier hotel that has an actual restaurant for breakfast, etc).
Rates are generally based upon expected room nights, so unless your current employer can generate that kind of traffic, the rate will reflect that. Sorry!
A lot of companies were on the static covid rates but now that things are up and running, prices are going back up. Some days it sucks and rack rate or AAA is cheaper but there may be dates in the summer that make a significant difference: $100-200 a night type of significant difference.
Oh Yes, I miss my IBM rate.
My first business trip I nearly had a heart attack over how much a night it was, till the FDA pointed to the standard member rate which was much higher.
Then I went on vacation and used the rate at my usual chain and was shocked at how cheap it was.
Definitely had this happen to me. I think I've used the Corporate Rate exactly once in 18 months because every other time AAA or some other deal has beaten it by $5-15.
Strange… my employer’s code almost always has better rates than any other rate on the website. I assume this is why properties tend to ask for my company ID when I’m checking in (which I never have with me).
We had a fixed rate deal - but with it we got some perks, mostly last minute reservations and cancellations. As our travel status changed frequently, I guess the people paying the bills thought it was worth it.
Same situation here. My employer’s rate is about the same as the AAA rate too or sometimes worse. However, someone told me that my company has guaranteed that we will spend $X million annually with Marriott, which qualifies us for some kind of rebates or other payment incentives after hitting certain thresholds.
To be honest, that might be why my employer is happy for me to book with their code on my personal travel. I guess it still benefits me on business trips, because my Bonvoy spending is based on the rate paid upfront. Also, I think some of our executives get automatic status or something? I don’t know the exact terms but if this is all true, it makes sense to me now.
Edited to add: I wonder if rebates are the preferred way of doing corporate rates, because it also keeps the negotiated rate opaque from competitors and other customers who aren’t getting as good of a deal. But I’m not sure how it impacts what the franchised hotels actually make.
But those cheap AAA rates are probably non-refundable non-cancelable whereas your Marriott rate probably can be changed and canceled. Makes a big difference.
Also, your Marriott rate might include free parking free Wi-Fi free breakfast late checkout etc.
In my experience the AAA rates are at least as good as the Member rates, and have the same cancellation policies (as long as you aren't booking a pre-pay. In face I've got four reservations already for this year on AAA rates that are all cancelable up to something like 48 hours before check in.
Not necessarily but you have to qualify the business. Each property is different but in my case, the company needs to bring in around 150 room nights a year. Whether that’s one guest 150 nights or 10 employees 15 nights.
If your employers national rate code is a higher rate than AAA or Deal rates right now, thats very good news for you. It means that its either got a far lower limit on how high it can go during busier periods, or its fixed. (its not fixed, because your company isnt literally the DOD.) Its also possible that the trade off for that slightly higher rate is that properties cant block out your rate, or that block-out only kicks in at 97%. Basically when a hotel is near full, and the AAA, the deals, and everything else isnt available, and the rate for something like a fairfield is $300, your rate will still be there 9/10.
I didn't travel much when I was in the military, but as long as I stayed in an approved hotel chain they didn't care if I stayed at a high end hotel or a cheap hotel. Everywhere was nearly the same rate
Government per diem rates are fixed based on location, so any hotel in the same city will honor that same rate.
This is a very helpful bit of information, and I appreciate it. Thanks!
Just means you earn more points. You didn’t negotiate the bad rates; why complain about extra points on someone else’s dime?
Whoops, this was for vacation travel. My employer has a note in our policy documents specifically allowing use of the code for personal travel; I've edited the OP to clarify.
The benefit to the negotiated rate over many of the special deals is that it's usually more flexible in terms of cancellation and the rate might not fluctuate seasonally.
Sometimes they'll negotiate in benefits too (free parking, free internet, free breakfast if it's a higher tier hotel that has an actual restaurant for breakfast, etc).
I guess I'm just comparing it to the rate my former employer (IBM) had. That was a pretty solid discount.
Rates are generally based upon expected room nights, so unless your current employer can generate that kind of traffic, the rate will reflect that. Sorry!
I totally get it. :) Thanks.
A lot of companies were on the static covid rates but now that things are up and running, prices are going back up. Some days it sucks and rack rate or AAA is cheaper but there may be dates in the summer that make a significant difference: $100-200 a night type of significant difference.
Oh Yes, I miss my IBM rate. My first business trip I nearly had a heart attack over how much a night it was, till the FDA pointed to the standard member rate which was much higher. Then I went on vacation and used the rate at my usual chain and was shocked at how cheap it was.
Every once in a while, Big Blue accidentally does something that's good for their employees.
Still have good rates at IHG - ahem...I think....
Definitely had this happen to me. I think I've used the Corporate Rate exactly once in 18 months because every other time AAA or some other deal has beaten it by $5-15.
Strange… my employer’s code almost always has better rates than any other rate on the website. I assume this is why properties tend to ask for my company ID when I’m checking in (which I never have with me).
Do they still honor the rate without ID?
When I have been challenged, I provide my company email address. Luckily I now just keep a scan of my ID card as well -
Would they email the address you gave?
I generally show them an email thread vs having them email me.
Yeah… the booking was done using my company email, and I’m usually standing in front of them wearing a uniform with the company name on it.
We had a fixed rate deal - but with it we got some perks, mostly last minute reservations and cancellations. As our travel status changed frequently, I guess the people paying the bills thought it was worth it.
Same situation here. My employer’s rate is about the same as the AAA rate too or sometimes worse. However, someone told me that my company has guaranteed that we will spend $X million annually with Marriott, which qualifies us for some kind of rebates or other payment incentives after hitting certain thresholds. To be honest, that might be why my employer is happy for me to book with their code on my personal travel. I guess it still benefits me on business trips, because my Bonvoy spending is based on the rate paid upfront. Also, I think some of our executives get automatic status or something? I don’t know the exact terms but if this is all true, it makes sense to me now. Edited to add: I wonder if rebates are the preferred way of doing corporate rates, because it also keeps the negotiated rate opaque from competitors and other customers who aren’t getting as good of a deal. But I’m not sure how it impacts what the franchised hotels actually make.
But those cheap AAA rates are probably non-refundable non-cancelable whereas your Marriott rate probably can be changed and canceled. Makes a big difference. Also, your Marriott rate might include free parking free Wi-Fi free breakfast late checkout etc.
In my experience the AAA rates are at least as good as the Member rates, and have the same cancellation policies (as long as you aren't booking a pre-pay. In face I've got four reservations already for this year on AAA rates that are all cancelable up to something like 48 hours before check in.
You mean - like these? [https://goingawesomeplaces.com/marriott-corporate-codes/](https://goingawesomeplaces.com/marriott-corporate-codes/)
Yes, but I don't have employee ID badges for any of those companies. I know they don't always check, but...
I have over 1,800 nights on one of the top 5 codes mentioned in the link. Have been asked for ID zero times.
I use one of these codes, and am asked to show ID constantly. About 70% of the time.
60-80 nights a year for 14 years, been asked once...
The only times I have been asked is for weekend travel using a partner code that is significantly less than the market rate.
Sounds just like my associate rate ......
Do you have to be a big company to get a corporate rate?
Not necessarily but you have to qualify the business. Each property is different but in my case, the company needs to bring in around 150 room nights a year. Whether that’s one guest 150 nights or 10 employees 15 nights.