Marriott Cracks Down on Government Rate Users
A thread on Flyertalk caught my eye the other day and I thought you may be interested. It seems that Marriotts are now enforcing the actual rules when it comes to allowing customers to use the Federal Government rate. It’s not that people with no association to the military are trying to use that discounted rate. These are military contractors who are typically are required to bill the Government no more than Per Diem for their travel. However, hotel chains usually have a separate rate for Federal Government contractors which is sometimes higher than Per Diem. You would think that the hotels would know those rules and match the Per Diem rate, but maybe they think they could get a few more bucks from contractors. So they contractors try to slip one by and often do.
I have to admit that I am very rarely asked to show ID to provide that I am military when staying at a hotel booked under the Government Rate which clearly specifies that you need to show a valid ID. Laziness on the part of the check-in staff? Maybe, but maybe they just look at me and think “this guy’s got to be military with an excellent haircut like that”. Sounds like I’ll be showing my ID from now on, at least at Marriotts. It will be interesting to see if other hotel chains follow.
Why does this affect you? Well just like each flight only has a certain number of seats available for 25,000 miles, hotels only set aside a certain number of rooms per night at the Government Rate. If someone books all those rooms you are out of luck. I know that I have sometimes had to get a room far away from where I wanted due to no Federal Government rooms being available.
Read the whole thread here and let us know what you think.
As an employee of BAH and working with about 9 diff agencies I can say that there is no way to tell the diff between contractor/FTE from just an ID. They use to list contractor on them but all of mine have not stated that so it is the same badge as an FTE. HR for most agencies also do not print out travel authorization forms you just submit receipts so that is likely out.
I get asked most of the time for my creds when checking in. I want to know what is the crap about having a “gov’t rate” that is $100+ over the GSA per diem. I am struggling to find a decent hotel near my meeting in LA within the GSA per diem. We may have to stay near LAX to find a room.
Marriott…not for retired military. After six years as a platinum rewards member, made a reservation at the Marriott Marquis in NYC at the military rate. Upon check in, showed my retired military ID and sorry active duty only. What?? So you are telling me that a newly enlisted troop, who definitely deserves a discount, gets one but ,e with 27 years service does not. Called the platinum desk and they said sorry, blame the USG for that. Don’t buy that the USG doesn’t tell Marriott how to price their rooms.
Im not in the government. But i always get the discount. Nobody ever Checks.
Maybe consider enrolling in an ethics class, Jack. Taking advantage of a benefit you’re not entitled to is pretty low.
I just stayed at the Marriott Marquis in NYC, I had the same exact problem as another military retiree. The lady at the counter asked me for my ID, I showed her and she said it’s only for active duty! I replied I could understand if I didn’t retire, but after serving on active duty for 24 years you would think that you earned the right to a discount as if I was still on active duty. I was very upset, and I told the lady I was stuck like chuck. She squared me away, and I thanked her. I will not be using the Marriott in the future unless they add military retirees to the policy. I felt completely embarrassed when I was checking in.
I call BS to your comment James.
Every other chain extends military benefits to retirees.
There is no such thing as retired anyway. When Uncle wants you
your butt is recalled right off that so called retiree list. Say it tight in
Your separation orders.
Wrong, John. Every other chain does not. Hilton, for example. I am retired as well, but as much as I would love to have a discount or other bennie extended as a thank you for the service, I don’t take the entitlement attitude that so many seem to have, including those here.
Hilton hotels absolutely do extend their military discount to retired service members and their families. I too prefer to patronize them rather than Marriott and will continue to do so unless they change their policy. It’s not the “Bennie” or discount that matters and I don’t see it as an entitlement. It’s simply nice that the sacrifices of the service member and families are appreciated in some small way.
We’re in a high tourist area and when summer hits we get a number of reservations that have booked a GOV rate (not mil or retired). Our website states quite clearly that rate is for official gov business travelers only and that we will require your ID and travel orders upon check-in. There are various responses when we ask for documents. Most will show ID and will either have a paper travel order or will show an email order on phone. Some will say they are on personal business and understand that we will have to adjust the rate. If military we allow retired or active to book. Then there are the “OMG, I’ve never heard this, I’ve never been asked for …., This is outrageous! It allowed me to book! I never saw the pop-up!” etc etc etc. Btw, You can not book that rate w/out acknowledging the rate detail pop-up…We actually keep a copy (laminated, as many have torn them up in anger) as a reference for the front desk staff and something to show a guest to validate the stance. Please ladies and gentleman…If you’re not on official business it’s important to know that State and Federal employees are not supposed to use their official positions for private gain. Please refer to the Office of Government Ethics or reach out to your ethics department. Verbally abusing a front desk agent for following government and company rules is just not nice…
I’m not sure about every other chain, but I copied Hilton military rate details. “Rate Details MILITARY FAMILY RATE
EXCLUSIVE SAVINGS ON OUR BEST AVAILABLE RATES FOR ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS AND RETIRED MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS, SPOUSES AND FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE US OR CANADIAN MILITARY. VALID ID REQUIRED AT CHECK-IN. RATE VALID FOR LEISURE STAYS ONLY. NOT VALID FOR OFFICAL GOVERNMENT OR MILITARY TRAVEL.” It’s a good idea for anyone wishing to book the GOV rate to click on the rate details. I like most hate to be embarrassed.