"United Airlines' Marriott code UAL is an airline employee code. United employee IDs are company-issued physical badges. Properties near United hubs (Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Houston Bush, Denver, San Francisco) regularly handle United crew and employees. FlyerTalk's airline code thread: "Airline codes are more likely to be checked than random corporate codes because the front desk knows what an airline badge looks like." No UAL-specific denial documented. Airport corridor Marriott properties: moderate enforcement."

"I have stayed 100s of times with various corporate rates (including Japan) and the only hotel that has asked is W hotels. Even then they didn’t push much. I have been a consultant for 20 years and many clients require you to use their rates when they are paying the bill. The hotel doesn’t have an up to date list of every employee that works for a company globally. The woman at the W said “I don’t really care, just show me anything on your phone that says your name and that company. You can type an email now “."

"I am very rarely asked to prove my eligibility for a rate...but they have every right to ask and if you can't produce it, you will be re-rated to the current rate, which is often even higher and there is no guarantee points rooms will be available. Doing online check in rarely helps this as most properties don't actually do online anyway - especially to people who are not returning guests to the property or elite. You are taking a gamble. One that is likely to be fine. But understand you are intentionally breaking the terms of the bonvoy program and if someone really cared, there can be consequences."