Corporate travelers who work for large companies often enjoy significant discounts on hotels offered by major chains worldwide. The discount amount can vary depending on the hotel chain, the property, the time of year, and the contract with the corporation. Corporate rates typically range from 10% to 70% off the regular price. Access to a corporate contract not only offers a discounted rate but often includes other benefits such as free Wi-Fi, room upgrades, free breakfast, access to the business lounge, and late check-out.
Corporate rates also offer more flexible cancellation policies. Typically, corporate rates can be canceled by 6 pm on the check-in date with no penalties, although some require longer cancellation notice. In contrast, non-corporate rates often require advance payment and offer no refunds if you need to cancel.
Large corporations negotiate corporate rates with hotel chains that apply to all properties within the chain. These deep discounts are based on the number of rooms booked each year using a specific corporate code. Corporations encourage their employees, suppliers, contractors, and consultants to use these codes to increase the number of rooms booked, resulting in better discounts negotiated for the following year. Employees can also use corporate rates for personal trips and vacations (not expensed or charged to the company), and in some cases, family members can also access the same rates.
Hotels benefit from offering corporate discounts by maintaining higher occupancy rates and increasing direct bookings through their website instead of relying on third-party booking sites that charge high commissions. Corporate rates are usually not available on most booking websites, so you must use the hotel website and apply the corporate code in the reservation search form to receive the discount.
In summary, everyone benefits from corporate rates: travelers get a low rate, corporations get increased bookings and better discounts, and hotels save money on commissions. If you are an employee, consultant, contractor, customer, or supplier of a large corporation, be aware of the corporate rates available to you and take advantage of the opportunity.
This blog aims to educate corporate travelers on how to access corporate hotel discounts they may be entitled to but are not aware of. Many people miss out on fantastic hotel rates because they do not know these rates exist or do not have access to the corporate codes required to access them.
Safe travels!