Work travel/hotels: would this be weird?

[v]

I need three stays (of any duration) at Marriotts by January 31 to qualify for gold status. I have a personal trip planned for the end of the month -- that's one stay. If I do not get these three stays in by end of January, no gold for me this year.

I have a work trip next week. Traveling with 3 other people from 2 other offices, but because of how flights shake out I'll be staying 2 nights but the other 3 are arriving the next morning. Because of flight schedules and flying into/out of different airports, we'll have 3 rental cars (I'll have my own). The night we're all there we have dinner/drinks plans with our client.

The others have booked a non-Marriott hotel. Would it be weird for me to book a Marriott a quarter mile away to get the stay in? (I'd actually end up staying at two different properties on the two nights to get two stays in, but nobody else would be around for the first night). My company is not all that cost-conscious, but this would be a tiny bit cheaper to the company, and would save future money (I'd get free breakfasts).

Everyone in my office is Marriott-loyal so this would be a duh to them, but the other offices do not seem fanatical about hotel loyalty. I would like these people from other offices to like me and think that I am normal

Opinions?

[raangoli]

I would do it - you have your own car, so it's not a burden on anyone else.

[audette]

I'd think it a bit bizarre that a colleague chose a different hotel than the three people they'd be with. But, if they shrugged it off and said "hotel points", I'd laugh and not care. Particularly as you staying elsewhere isn't inconveniencing anyone but you (and maybe not even you).

[mbcdefg]

I'd do it.

If someone asks just say, "Oh, I always book Marriotts!" and leave it at that. 

[fireplace]

i would totally do it!

[shortstax]

Do it!

[gt7301b]

DO IT!!

[snowflurry]

I'd do it in a heartbeat. I do something similar when I travel.

[scm1011]

I don't think its a big deal at all; do it!

[msmerymac]

I would do it. It might be a little weird, but it's easily explained by the fact you need the points. The end.

[y4m]

I would absolutely do that.

[lagom]

This is a no brainer. You'll be three blocks away, in your cheaper hotel.

[konapoppy]

I would absolutely do it AND all of my coworkers would be impressed. Mileage runs, hotel status, etc. is practically a competitive sport. 

[steamboat185]

I'd do it many people are very brand loyal.

[foodiemom]

Anyone who travels will understand booking the Marriott for the nights, I would totally do it.

We are lucky to be a gold for life family :-).

[aurora]

I wouldn't even bat an eyelash if I were your colleagues.

[v]

Thanks everyone!

And I'm glad there's such a consensus because I just looked at my booking from the other day (I booked the Courtyard thinking I'd cancel if you guys said I was being was weird) and I booked a non-refundable rate by mistake. So Courtyard it is! Oops.

[MrsE]

I would not hesitate to do it. Love the Marriott status

[MrsDarcy]

Go for it!

[sacattack]

When I traveled a lot and need to work on my stays - I would book 2 one night stays instead of a 2 day stay. I would tell them when I checked in that I added another night and ask if I could stay in my room the whole time - I usually could!

[monsterz]

Do it. I would also call Marriott they might be willing to grant you status if you are 1 stay short, especially if the bulk of your stays were towards the end of the year.

[VillainV]

Not weird at all. If anyone asks about you staying at a different hotel, just tell them you stay at Marriotts because of their rewards program. I think most people understand that.

[qwerty]

I wouldn't even bat an eyelash. Everywhere I've worked people are very brand loyal to get their points and status!

[boiler717]

Not at all, we often stay at different hotels depending on loyalties

[mpc]

People do that kind of stuff in my industry all the time.

[mokes]

Ditto the others. I've found Marriott to be good about giving you the status if you're pacing to reach it...i don't know if that's true if you're just reaching gold for the first time (if that's the case for you), but good to know for future years