First Responder Hotel Discounts: How to Get Them and Who Qualifies

Engine.com - Access better hotel rates for your whole crew

Real-life heroes deserve recognition. That's why many companies offer first responders and emergency services teams special discounts as a thank you for their service. At Engine, we take this further by specializing in business and group hotel bookings. Stop paying retail rates and start taking advantage of our partnerships with over 750,000 hotels. We offer unbeatable corporate rates, 24/7 customer support, and a stackable rewards program that lets you earn cash and free nights. We also offer Direct Bill, so you never have to use a personal credit card for deposits or incidentals again.

But how do you know if you qualify?

Here’s everything you need to know about discounts for first responders and disaster relief groups and how to get your next hotel stay for cheaper.

We’ll cover:

1. Who qualifies as a first responder
2. Who qualifies as under “disaster response”
3. How to prove to hotels that you’re a first responder or disaster responder
4. What could disqualify you or your group
5. The drawbacks of trying to get first responder discounts
6. What to do if you don’t qualify, or what to do if you don’t have time to negotiate

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Who Qualifies as a "Disaster Response Team"?

For disaster response teams, members aren’t as easy to point out. These heroes don’t necessarily wear a badge, but are just as essential and self-sacrificing as those who do. Disaster response teams can be made up of a mix of first responders and other professionals who work behind the scenes to support these individuals — as well as teams that stick around well after the first “emergency” is over.

Some examples include volunteers at the Red Cross Disaster Action Team and Team Rubicon.

Additionally, the federal government runs the National Disaster Medical Team, employing thousands of individuals to provide healthcare, logistics management, and more in desperate times.

Unfortunately, not all disaster response teams are recognized and treated to the same discounts as first responders — even if they deserve them.

FEMA has even begun a program called the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). If you get certified with this program, you may be able to qualify for better room rates from hotels, as well as other discounts.

Finally, military members can often qualify for special rates and discounts. (In fact, many companies have special offers just for members of the armed services.)

For a full list of typically-qualified professions as well as those that do not qualify, check out the bottom of this page for the full list of supported roles.

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How to Prove to Hotels That You Are a First Responder or Disaster Responder

You can verify your status as a responder in a few ways. The easiest would be to show a valid ID or badge at the time of check-in; However, this isn’t always enough.

Some hotels will require that you have passed a specialized identification process, such as:

• IDme
• GovX
• VerifyPass

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What kinds of hotel discounts or advantages can you get as a first responder or disaster responder?

Every hotel deals with discounts differently, with the majority of them emphasizing emergency services and first responder discounts over disaster response teams.

Some provide promo codes online, while others require hotel reservations to be made by phone to enjoy these special promotional rates.

Some hotels will reserve special discounts for particular professions. Some have reward programs specifically for military and government personnel, for example, with benefits like free upgrades, access to vacation clubs, or special discounts (with or without blackout dates).

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Which hotel chains does Engine.com work with?

Engine (formerly Hotel Engine) partners with over 750,000 properties globally. Because they focus on business and workforce travel, their "partnerships" usually mean two things: access to corporate rates and the ability to "double dip" on points (earning Engine Rewards and the hotel's own loyalty points simultaneously).

Their network covers almost every major chain. Here is a breakdown of their primary partners by category:

1. The "Big 6" Global Chains

Engine has direct integrations with the world's largest hotel families. You can book almost any brand under these umbrellas and earn their specific loyalty points:

• Marriott: (Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton, Westin, Courtyard, Residence Inn)
• Hilton: (Waldorf Astoria, DoubleTree, Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites)
• IHG: (InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, Kimpton)
• Wyndham: (La Quinta, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8)
• Choice Hotels: (Comfort Inn, Quality Inn, Cambria, Econo Lodge)
• Hyatt: (Park Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Andaz)

2. Workforce & Extended Stay Specialists

This is a huge part of Engine's niche (construction, medical, logistics crews). They have strong direct relationships with:

• Extended Stay America
• Motel 6 / Studio 6
• Red Roof Inn
• WoodSpring Suites (often under Choice)
• Candlewood Suites / Staybridge Suites (under IHG)

3. Regional & Other Major Brands

• Best Western (including Plus and Premier)
• Drury Hotels (highly rated for business travel)
• Sonesta
• Omni Hotels & Resorts
• MGM Resorts (Las Vegas properties like Bellagio, MGM Grand)
• Radisson (now largely under Choice Hotels in the Americas)

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How Our "Double Dipping" Rewards System Works

Engine allows you to use your loyalty number for many different hotel chains. This allows you to earn the "2X" hotel rewards where you receive your usual points + the Engine.com points. Thus, allowing you to "double dip" on your hotel rewards. Currently, we support loyalty point accumulation for 15+ major programs, including:

• Marriott Bonvoy
• Hilton Honors
• IHG One Rewards
• World of Hyatt
• Wyndham Rewards
• Choice Privileges
• Best Western Rewards
• Drury Rewards

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What could disqualify you or your team from the hotel’s exclusive discount?

Many hotels limit their savings to government-employed individuals specifically. Some will limit the number of rooms per year you can book at this rate.

Other hotel chains will ask for verification beyond just your word, while a few limit hero discounts to first responders only, leaving disaster relief teams paying full price.

Some military discounts are only available while on active duty, while others are available even for leisure travel. These discounted rates are sometimes extended to immediate family members, but many are not.

If you’re traveling in a group, coordinating those bookings and negotiating a discount will take time, time you might not have. This is especially true if you are responding to an emergency.

If you’re part of a disaster relief effort, you might not be eligible; but you still deserve to get an excellent rate for you and the rest of your group.

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What if you don’t meet the hotel’s requirements, or don’t have time to negotiate?

As mentioned, each hotel chain will have its own policies and terms regarding first responder discounts.

If you don’t qualify, have a more complex booking because you’re traveling with a group, or just don’t have time to call hotels to confirm all your travelers qualify for discounts, you shouldn’t have to settle for paying full price.

Heroes should still be able to get a hero’s discount.

That’s where Engine comes in.

We are proud to offer our members savings of up to 60% over the public rate on individual bookings, and save you over half the time. You can reserve instantly through our platform and save without verifying your identity or meeting miscellaneous policies.

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Traveling as a group?

Hand off the hassle to Engine Groups and get back to the critical work at hand. We’ll find the right properties for you and your crew, even if it means we call around for hours.

We’ll help you:

• Choose a hotel easily: Receive options based on your priorities — we’ll do the tough work of confirming availability, even in locations affected by emergencies or evacuations.
• Get a great rate: Obtain prices already negotiated on your behalf.
• Not worry about modifications: Enjoy the convenience of hands-off hotel coordination if your itinerary or location changes.
• Save valuable time: Access every trip and every folio on-demand, and pay one streamlined, consolidated invoice.
• Count on support every step of the way: With your dedicated Project Manager and our 24/7 Member Support team standing by.

Engine already coordinates hotel bookings for lots of disaster response efforts and emergency services teams, working hard to simplify their lodging so they can work hard at more important things.

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Do you qualify for discount hotel rates? Search your role below.