We test the Marriott Associate Rate to see how much you can save worldwide
What is the Marriott Associate Rate?
We recently let you know how to use the Marriott MMP code to save money on your hotel stay.The MMP code gives you the Explore Rate on Marriott, which has also been known as the Marriott Associate Rate for many years. Using the code, you can get discounted rates for personal leisure travel at participating Marriott hotels and resorts all over the world.
To book a stay at a Marriott property, associates and their immediate family members can book directly on the Marriott.com website.
What else is in this post?
- What is the Marriott Associate Rate?
- How much can I save with the Marriott Associate Rate?
- What else do I need to know about using the Marriott Associate Rate?
How much can I save with the Marriott Associate Rate?
When we last wrote about the rate, we compared the costs of a stay in Atlanta, using the MMP code and checking against the price for a Marriott Rewards member. Using the code gave us an excellent saving of 59%. This time, we wanted to check how much we could save at Marriott properties outside of the US.
To compare the Marriott Associate Rate with the usual rate for your hotel booking, enter your destination city or hotel hereon the Marriott website, add your dates and number of guests and then click on 'Special Rates' to add the code MMP to the 'Corporate/promo code' box.
We searched Marriott properties in Dubai, and selected the luxurious Category 6 JW Marriott Hotel Dubai for our dummy booking in November, 2017. It came out to 975 AED (US $265)including taxes and fees:
The Marriott Rewards member rate for this stay is AED 1215 (US$331)including taxes and fees:
So booking the Associate Rate at $265 total means memberssave $66or20% offthis particular one-night stay.
We also checked the cost of a one-night stay in Istanbul, selecting the well-rated Category 5Marriott Hotel Sisli on October 17th, 2017. It came out to just EUR 54.23 (US $64) total for the Associate Rate, including taxes and fees:
The Marriott Rewards member rate for this stay is more than twice as much, at EUR 122.04 (US$144)including taxes and fees:
So booking the Associate Rate at $64 total means memberssave a whopping$80or56% offthis particular one-night stay!
What else do I need to know about using the Marriott Associate Rate?
As you can see, the savings can vary, depending on the property and dates that you choose. Across three bookings, we found discounts of 20%, 56% and 59%, so it's always worth using this rate if you're entitled to it.
It's stated that you'll need to show valid photo ID and proof of entitlement at check-in when using this rate. While it isn't always asked for, it may well be enforced and you could end up paying full rack rate if you travel without it.
While using the Associate Rate is said to always save you money on your Marriott hotel booking, you may not earn points or stay credit or receive elite benefits by using it, so you should always weigh up the monetary saving with any potential loss before booking.