"US Government (GOV) Marriott code is the government rate requiring official federal employee credentials. Per GSA policy: "Government rates are available to federal employees who must show valid government-issued ID at check-in." This is not a negotiated corporate rate — it is a federally-contracted rate with mandatory verification requirements. Marriott properties are contractually obligated to enforce government rate eligibility. Multiple FlyerTalk users confirm: "Government rates at Marriott always require showing your government badge — no exceptions at any property type.""

"When a corp rate is not available I often use a AAA rate. I am a paying AAA member and always have the card in my wallet. Hotels ask to see it about 20% of the time. I actually wish proof of membership were demanded more frequently as it is a benefit I am paying for via annual dues."

"I work for a large defense contractor. We are specifically told not to bring our badges on international trips due to various concerns about showing our affiliation around foreign national and had a nasty surprise at a JW Marriott insisting that without my badge they were going to raise my rate from $200gbp to $800gbp per night. That was a pretty stressful situation. You’d think they could have validated that the hotel was booked through my corporate partner."