Does the Marriott MMF rate always save you money on your hotel booking?
What is the Marriott MMF Rate?
Marriott offers discounted leisure travel rates at participating properties around the world to friends and family members of its employees. Now that Starwood and Marriott have merged, the family and friends programs are named 'Explore' and 'Explore Friends', the latter of which can be used by friends, family and extended family members of either hotel brand.
When adding the code MMF when searching the site for your hotel stay, it shows as the 'Explore Friends Rate' and states that valid ID and an authorization form is required:
What else is in this post?
- What is the Marriott MMF Rate?
- The Explore Friends program in more detail...
- Does the Marriott MMF rate always save you money on your hotel booking?
- What else do I need to know about the Marriott MMF Rate?
The Explore Friends program in more detail...
Explore Friends rates can be directly booked by the friends, family members or associates themselves (whereas Explore reservations, which are for immediate family members, can only be booked by the actual employee). You can search and book on the Marriott site as usual but only for 'personal' (leisure) travel, so non-business stays. Note that you must provide valid ID and an Explore Rate Authorization Form at check-in. A recent post on FlyerTalk by a Marriott AGM mentions that the authorization forms were updated this year and old versions will not work.
Does the Marriott MMF rate always save you money on your hotel booking?
To check the cost of your stay using this rate simply add the code MMF to the 'Corporate/promo code' box:
We checked Marriott for a one-night stay in a king for two in New Orleans, on October 30th, 2017. The newly-built Category 2Fairfield Inn & Suites Houma Southeast, which has fantastic reviews, came up at $147.71 all-in for the regular flexible non-member rate or$144.27 all-in for the flexible Marriott Rewards member rate:
However, it came up at just $75 plus taxes and feesatthe Explore Friends Rate, totaling$85.88 all-in, which is$58.39 cheaper than the flexible member rate - saving you a whopping 59%!
What else do I need to know about the Marriott MMF Rate?
If you're lucky enough tohave a relative or friendwho works at Marriott, then the MMF code can save you a bundle on your stay. You may not always save on your stay, as the rate is for participating properties and may not include the dates that you need but if you are flexible, you can certainly save money. You are likely to save even more if your relative or friend is an immediate family member and they book you the Explore Rate instead of you booking the Explore Friends Rate!
Just don't forget that you'll need the employee to get you that all-important authorization form from HR, Marriott Global Source or The Bridge and you'll need to show your own photo ID at check-in, too. While Marriott lets anyone book using the MMF code on Marriott.com, it also clearly states that you'll need to prove eligibility for the Explore FriendsRate at your hotel.
Thisrate is not eligible to earn Marriott Rewards points, so you should always weigh up the monetary saving with any potential lossbefore booking.