Unlocking Savings: A Comprehensive Guide to Adding Corporate Codes to Your Marriott Bonvoy App
Are you a frequent business traveler, or simply looking to maximize your savings on Marriott stays? If so, then understanding how to properly utilize corporate codes within the Marriott Bonvoy app is an absolute game-changer. These exclusive codes can unlock significant discounts and valuable perks that aren't available to the general public.
In this lengthy and detailed post, we'll walk you through a step-by-step process to ensure you're getting the most out of your corporate travel benefits. We'll cover everything from finding the right section in the app to troubleshooting common issues. So, let's dive in and start saving!
Step 1: Getting Started – Do You Have Your Corporate Code Handy?
Before we even open the Marriott Bonvoy app, let's address the most crucial element: your corporate code. Do you know it? If not, this is your first and most important task.
Where to Find Your Corporate Code:
Your Company's Travel Department: This is the most common and reliable source. Your HR or corporate travel team will have the official code(s) negotiated with Marriott.
Internal Company Portal/Intranet: Many companies have a dedicated section for travel policies and resources, where you might find your corporate code listed.
Travel Management Company (TMC): If your company uses a TMC for bookings, they will often automatically apply the corporate code, or they can provide it to you.
Colleagues: While not ideal, a trusted colleague who frequently travels for work might be able to share the code, but always verify its validity with an official source if possible.
Important Note: Corporate codes are typically exclusive to employees of the company that negotiated the rate. Misusing a corporate code can lead to your reservation being cancelled, or you being charged the full, public rate upon check-in. Always be prepared to show proof of employment at check-in if requested.
Step 2: Launching the Marriott Bonvoy App and Initiating Your Search
Now that you have your corporate code, it's time to put it to use!
Sub-heading: Opening the App
Locate the Marriott Bonvoy App: Find the app icon on your smartphone or tablet and tap to open it.
Sign In (if not already): If you're not already signed in, enter your Marriott Bonvoy member number or email and password. Being signed in as a Marriott Bonvoy member is essential to access all features and benefits, including potentially saving your corporate code for future searches.
Sub-heading: Beginning Your Hotel Search
Tap "Where can we take you?": This is usually the prominent search bar on the app's home screen.
Enter Your Destination: Type in the city, specific hotel name, or landmark where you wish to stay. The app will usually provide suggestions as you type.
Select Your Dates: Choose your desired check-in and check-out dates from the calendar. Ensure these dates align with your travel plans.
Confirm Guests/Rooms: Adjust the number of guests and rooms as needed.
Step 3: Accessing the "Special Rates" Section to Input Your Corporate Code
This is where the magic happens! The corporate code isn't entered on the initial search screen, but rather within a dedicated "Special Rates" section.
Proceed to the Search Criteria Screen: After entering your destination and dates, you'll typically be taken to a "Search Criteria" or "Guest and Room" summary screen.
Tap on "Special Rates": Look for an option labeled "Special Rates," "Corp/Promo Code," or similar. It's often located near the bottom of the screen or within a section related to rate types.
Select "Corporate/Promo Code": Within the "Special Rates" section, you'll see various rate options like AAA, Senior, Government, etc. Tap on "Corporate/Promo Code" or "Add Corp/Promo Code."
Enter Your Corporate Code: A new field will appear where you can accurately type or paste your corporate code. Double-check for any typos!
Toggle "Save for Future Searches" (Highly Recommended!): Below the input field for the corporate code, you'll often see a toggle or checkbox that says "Save for future searches" or "Remember for future searches." We strongly recommend enabling this feature. This will save you time on subsequent bookings by pre-populating the code.
Tap "Apply" or "Done": Once you've entered the code and optionally saved it, tap the "Apply" or "Done" button to confirm your selection.
Step 4: Finding Hotels with Your Applied Corporate Rate
With the corporate code successfully applied, the app will now display hotels offering rates specific to your company.
Tap "Find Hotels" or "Search": This will initiate the search with your corporate code active.
Review Search Results: The list of hotels will now show the corporate rates available for your chosen dates. You might notice significant differences in pricing compared to what you would see without the code.
Look for the Corporate Rate Indicator: Often, next to the price, you'll see a small tag or description indicating "Corporate Rate," "Company Rate," or similar. This confirms the discount is being applied.
Select Your Preferred Hotel: Browse through the options, considering location, amenities, and, of course, the discounted rate. Tap on the hotel you wish to book to view more details.
Step 5: Reviewing and Confirming Your Reservation
Before finalizing your booking, it's crucial to review all the details.
Sub-heading: Verifying Rate Details
Check the Rate Type: On the hotel details page, carefully review the rate type to ensure it explicitly states "Corporate Rate" or the name of your company's rate.
Read the Rate Rules: Tap on the rate to see any specific rules or restrictions associated with it. This might include cancellation policies, breakfast inclusions, or other benefits.
Confirm Total Price: Verify the total price, including any taxes and fees, to ensure it aligns with your expectations and company travel policy.
Sub-heading: Finalizing the Booking
Select Your Room Type: Choose the specific room type you desire.
Enter Payment Information: Provide your payment details. If your company uses a corporate credit card or direct billing, ensure those details are correctly entered.
Add Special Requests (Optional): If you have any special requests (e.g., high floor, non-smoking), you can often add them at this stage.
Review and Book: Take one final look at all the reservation details – dates, hotel, room type, price, and payment. Once you're confident everything is correct, tap the "Book Now" or "Confirm Reservation" button.
Step 6: Confirmation and What to Expect
Congratulations! You've successfully booked your Marriott stay using your corporate code.
Receive Confirmation: You will immediately receive a confirmation email from Marriott Bonvoy with all your reservation details. It's a good idea to keep this email handy.
Check-in Process: When you arrive at the hotel, be prepared for a smooth check-in. While it's rare, some hotels might ask for proof of employment to verify your eligibility for the corporate rate. This could be a company ID badge, business card, or a letter from your employer.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:
Corporate Code Not Working:
Double-check for typos: Even a single incorrect character can invalidate the code.
Verify expiration: Corporate codes can sometimes have expiration dates.
Confirm validity for dates/locations: The code might not be applicable for all Marriott brands, specific dates, or certain locations.
Contact your company's travel department: They can verify the code and its terms.
Contact Marriott Customer Service: If all else fails, reach out to Marriott's customer support.
No Corporate Rates Showing for a Specific Hotel:
The hotel may not participate: Not all Marriott properties have corporate agreements with every company.
No availability at the corporate rate: Even if the hotel participates, there might be no rooms available at the discounted corporate rate for your chosen dates.
Try different dates: Flexibility with dates can sometimes yield better results.
App Glitches or Freezing:
Restart the app: Close the app completely and reopen it.
Clear app cache (Android) or reinstall (iOS/Android): Sometimes, cached data can cause issues. For iOS, you might need to delete and reinstall the app.
Check for app updates: Ensure you're running the latest version of the Marriott Bonvoy app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you further master corporate codes on the Marriott Bonvoy app:
How to find my company's Marriott corporate code? You should contact your company's Human Resources or Corporate Travel Department, as they are the primary source for official corporate codes.
How to save a corporate code for future bookings in the Marriott app? When you enter the corporate code in the "Special Rates" section, look for and enable the "Save for future searches" or "Remember for future searches" toggle or checkbox.
How to check if my corporate code is valid for a specific Marriott hotel? After entering the code and searching for hotels, if the corporate rate appears for a particular property, it's generally valid. If it doesn't appear, the hotel may not participate, or there might be no availability at that rate.
How to update an existing Marriott reservation with a corporate code? Generally, you cannot directly update an existing reservation with a corporate code through the app. You would typically need to cancel the original booking (if permissible by its terms) and rebook it with the corporate code applied. Alternatively, you can call Marriott customer service.
How to troubleshoot if my Marriott corporate code isn't applying a discount? First, double-check for any typos in the code. Then, confirm with your company's travel department if the code is active and applicable for your dates and desired hotel. If issues persist, contact Marriott customer support.
How to ensure I get the best rate when using a Marriott corporate code? While corporate codes offer discounts, it's always a good practice to compare the corporate rate with other available public rates or promotions to ensure you're truly getting the best deal.
How to know what benefits are included with my corporate rate? When you select a room with the corporate rate applied, tap on the rate details or "Rate Rules" to view all inclusions, such as complimentary Wi-Fi, breakfast, or late check-out.
How to handle a situation where a hotel asks for proof of corporate eligibility at check-in? Be prepared to show a company ID badge, a business card, or an official letter from your employer verifying your employment with the company associated with the corporate code.
How to use a corporate code if I'm not a Marriott Bonvoy member? While you can theoretically use a corporate code without being a Bonvoy member, it's highly recommended to join the free program. Membership unlocks additional benefits, allows you to earn points, and often enables saving your corporate code for future use in the app.
How to contact Marriott customer service for corporate code issues? You can usually find Marriott's customer service contact details, including phone numbers and email options, within the "Help & Contact Us" section of the Marriott Bonvoy app or on their official website.
