Other Hotel Programs - Accor/ AClub: experiences with best price guarantee

Since tis matter was raised in a previous post, I thought I should start this thread and share some of my recent accor experience. I normally book Ibis hotels when visiting Europe, and have decided to test the BPG of Accor. They claim this is a reason to book with them.

I have made a few trials with that and despite the fact that I found cheaper prices elsewhere, the price garantee was always turned down. I even found a cheaper price with breakfast and they claimed this was a different rate from the one I had booked (which did not include breakfast) because of the breakfast, and they do not give lowest price guarantee for "packages".

In another instance, I had booked a cancellable rate and on another website found another rate that was cancellable as well, but with a different deadline. I know that these are not technically the same, but honoring the "spirit" of the price guarantee would go a long way towards gaining loyal customers.

This is frustrating because basically accor sells rooms to third parties and these offer lower rates than accor. Assuming third parties do not make a loss, and accor would not sell the rooms to them at a loss either, I find it hard ot undrstand why accor does not honor the price guarantee without turning to little schemes like "packages" and slightly different deadlines.

I know that this post could read any-other-hotel-chain best price guarantee (with the honorable exception of Marriott). But perhaps others can share positive experiences with the price guarantee.

I didn't even realize that Accor had a best rate guarantee. On which sites did you find cheaper prices? I've tried several BRG claims in France with Opodo and Go Voyages but never tried Accor. In both cases it took 1-2 weeks to even get a response, one positive and one negative. I've also made several claims to Thalys due to delays with mostly negative results.In general I would say that US or UK based companies are much more consumer friendly, but will also be quite strict about finding the exact same room with the same conditions (including breakfast or not). If the guarantee only offers to cover the difference and no other compensation I would suggest booking on the competitor sites.

FYI, the cheaper rates were at gtahotels.com I have read some mixed reviews about this website (problems with refunds), and though they are affilliated with a major operator, metglobal I think, I really did not want to risk losing my money.
The other thing is that I needed to book a rate that was not paid in advance so that I could use my accor voucher, as well as my parents, so I really needed to book direct with accor.

Interestingly what they lack in terms of price guarantee (I repeat that following the spirit of the guarantee would go a long way towards winning me over) they make up for in speed of reply. All within a couple of days.

I did book a couple of novotels, then ibis (consecutively), since gtahotels systematically had better prices for them in the same city. and all of these guarantees were refused. One I replied back (the one with breakfast), but got the same lame excuse (it is a non-comparable package).


Finally, for some reason I have found gtahotels offer interesting deals. I tried to invoke a price guarantee (non-existent in those cases) a while back with 2 german minor hotels chains. How come gta had rates 40€ or more lower than the hotels websites? However, I got the reply from both hotels that they could not offer the same rate. :confused: I really don't get it? In economic terms, selling below cost is called dumping and is often illegal in some countries for competition reasons - so if gta is not dumping, why doesn't the chain price match???

In booking 2 upcoming trips (Cologne and Brussels), I have come a loooooong way to learning how to optimize the quality for price. I am even using Hilton points for a few nights and then switching to Novotel to use my accor voucher. I have always been a fan of Ibis (and novotel, if the offer was good), but now I know how to get a 4-5 star hotel for the price of Ibis. Let's call this the Priceline route :D. So it is likely that Accor have in fact lost a pretty good customer with their inability to price match.

You have brought up some interesting points!

I have worked for IHG and know that they not only match and offer a 10% discount, but they also fine the hotel for making a lower rate available to the public. Lower rates are good, as long as they are not made available to the general public (ex. group rates, priceline, ect).

I am now a Marriott Gold Elite member and have used their BRG several times with no problems. Answers usually come within 2-4 hours of submitting the BRG.

Once the competing rate had breakfast included. Marriott matched the lower rate, took off 25%, plus took off the breakfast. This made for a heck of a deal!

I have now made a suggestion about this on the new feedback page of Accor.

http://accorhotels-en.ideas.feedback20.com/feedbacks/14560-best-price-guarantee-standing-by-it-with-no-quibbles

Just a thought…..maybe try applying for a chargeback with your credit card supplier. Charges for goods or services different from what was represented are a viable reason for chargebacks.

Just a thought…..maybe try applying for a chargeback with your credit card supplier. Charges for goods or services different from what was represented are a viable reason for chargebacks.

accor has the right to deny a best rate claim on the basis of what the op wrote. this is not an accor issue, all hotel operators will deny a best rate claim on these grounds.

as the op said, her main objective was to use the voucher, then she should've contacted the hotel upfront and tried to get a deal with them if that's so important.

accor has the right to deny a best rate claim on the basis of what the op wrote. this is not an accor issue, all hotel operators will deny a best rate claim on these grounds.

as the op said, her main objective was to use the voucher, then she should've contacted the hotel upfront and tried to get a deal with them if that's so important.

I never thought of contacting the hotel directly to be honest :( Will do so next time. Thanks for the reminder.

PS: and I am aware of how these price guarantees operate. helas they don't exist to assist the customer.