Feb 27, 2015, 9:38 am
Last edit by: ekozie
We are trying to collate a list of the websites that Hilton's Best Rate Guarantee team consider eligible for the BRG. Please update the following wiki with you successful/rejected BRG claims.
^Successful BRG claims have been made against:
muchoviaje.com - 26/09/2016
expedia.co.uk - 26/09/2016, Jan 2018
Expedia.com (US) - 18/09/2017
Expedia.ca - 1/20/18
happyrooms.com - 30/09/2016, 25/Jan/2017, 28/Jan/2017, 27/Feb/2017, 23/July/2017
hotelscombined.com - 17/Jan/2017
priceline.com (standard booking, not a bid or express booking)- 05/Oct/2016, 15/May/2017, 22/Apr/2018, 22/Oct/18, 25/Nov/18
prestigia.com - 24/Jan/2017
orbitz.com - Dec 2017
prestigia.com - Dec 2017, January 2018
nustay.com - Feb 2020
Unauthorised Sites for BRG Claim:
roomertravel.com - 16/09/2016
prestigia.com - 27/09/2016 - 'does not instantly confirm'
hoteltravel.com - August 2016 - " there have been discrepancies in the way the website has been displaying prices recently, and we are not satisfied that the website's processes are fair and transparent."
destinia.com - 29/09/2016 - 12 EUR Administration Fee for any cancellation vs Hilton Fully Flex
Travel.AmericaExpress.co.uk - 29/09/2016 Amex Card holders only
Bedfinder.com 6/8/17 - The third party site bedfinder.com is no longer considered to be valid
skoosh.com - denied 10//4/18
BRG claims on non-refundable rates are a gamble at best. Hilton can ask 3rd party sites to remove rates when they "sell unbundled wholesale rates", and screenshots are no longer sufficient proof. You will end up with the non-refundable rate booked, if the rate is gone when your claim is being reviewed.
On 18 November 2014 (see post #1261 of the archived thread), the HHonorsRepresentative listed 15 third-party websites that were 'no longer authorized to distribute our hotels’ static rates':
However, on 19 December 2014 (see post #3 of this thread), the HHonorsRepresentative announced a change of policy, stating that:
The HonorsRepresentative has not issued any subsequent statement suggesting another change of policy and a return to the previous 'blacklist'.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the late 2014/2015 BRG thread - for the original thread please check here
Hilton Best Rate Guarantee, or BRG: The Definitive Thread
Thanks!
Squeakr
for the HH Mod Team of squeakr, Canarsie and Kiwi Flyer
--------
^Successful BRG claims have been made against:
muchoviaje.com - 26/09/2016
expedia.co.uk - 26/09/2016, Jan 2018
Expedia.com (US) - 18/09/2017
Expedia.ca - 1/20/18
happyrooms.com - 30/09/2016, 25/Jan/2017, 28/Jan/2017, 27/Feb/2017, 23/July/2017
hotelscombined.com - 17/Jan/2017
priceline.com (standard booking, not a bid or express booking)- 05/Oct/2016, 15/May/2017, 22/Apr/2018, 22/Oct/18, 25/Nov/18
prestigia.com - 24/Jan/2017
orbitz.com - Dec 2017
prestigia.com - Dec 2017, January 2018
nustay.com - Feb 2020
Unauthorised Sites for BRG Claim:roomertravel.com - 16/09/2016
prestigia.com - 27/09/2016 - 'does not instantly confirm'
hoteltravel.com - August 2016 - " there have been discrepancies in the way the website has been displaying prices recently, and we are not satisfied that the website's processes are fair and transparent."
destinia.com - 29/09/2016 - 12 EUR Administration Fee for any cancellation vs Hilton Fully Flex
Travel.AmericaExpress.co.uk - 29/09/2016 Amex Card holders only
Bedfinder.com 6/8/17 - The third party site bedfinder.com is no longer considered to be valid
skoosh.com - denied 10//4/18
BRG claims on non-refundable rates are a gamble at best. Hilton can ask 3rd party sites to remove rates when they "sell unbundled wholesale rates", and screenshots are no longer sufficient proof. You will end up with the non-refundable rate booked, if the rate is gone when your claim is being reviewed.
On 18 November 2014 (see post #1261 of the archived thread), the HHonorsRepresentative listed 15 third-party websites that were 'no longer authorized to distribute our hotels’ static rates':
- Alpharooms.com
- Amoma.com
- Cleartrip.com
- Despegar
- Elvoline
- Galahotels
- Hotelpronto.com
- Jumbotours
- LMT.com
- Secretescapes
- Simplytravel.de
- TravelRepublic
- Wego
- Worldwideholidays.com.au
However, on 19 December 2014 (see post #3 of this thread), the HHonorsRepresentative announced a change of policy, stating that:
Moving forward, we will approve claims from these sites as long as the offered rates meet the other BRG requirements we have in place, as we recognize that this is in the best interest of our members.
The Best Rate Guarantee exists so that our guests feel confident going to Hilton Worldwide channels to find the best rates that we offer. We strive for pricing accuracy in all our channels, and the BRG helps identify when that is not the case.
The Best Rate Guarantee exists so that our guests feel confident going to Hilton Worldwide channels to find the best rates that we offer. We strive for pricing accuracy in all our channels, and the BRG helps identify when that is not the case.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is the late 2014/2015 BRG thread - for the original thread please check here
Hilton Best Rate Guarantee, or BRG: The Definitive Thread
Thanks!
Squeakr
for the HH Mod Team of squeakr, Canarsie and Kiwi Flyer
--------
Hilton Best Rate Guarantee or BRG
Oct 9, 2023, 12:00 pm
#886
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 113
I tried to do a match by phone today but the whole department in the Philippines seems to be closed? I was able to talk to Diamond desk but no other department could match by phone and they kept telling me to use the online form. Before, it was always possible to reach someone that was from the Price Match department.
Did Hilton close this down or is it a temporary thing?
Did Hilton close this down or is it a temporary thing?
Oct 10, 2023, 10:09 am
#887
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, VS Gold, FB Plat
Posts: 185
It's for a central property in London, went down from Ł804.43, to Ł360.11 - so worth it.
Oct 11, 2023, 4:44 am
#888
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 113
The normal number, the 1-800-HHonors, used to have an option where you could press 6 and would connect you to a price match agent. Now, when I tried that, it automatically told me on the phone to fill the online form and disconnected. Calling reservations and directly asking for Price Match seemed to work who connected me to Diamond Desk and normal price line department. As usual, took a few tries, first agent with fake western name refused saying it's not possible to match a non-refundable rate. Got the same answer on 2nd call from Diamond desk, but when I explained it was possible, the agent went out of their way to learn how to do it and made it happen.
It's for a central property in London, went down from Ł804.43, to Ł360.11 - so worth it.
It's for a central property in London, went down from Ł804.43, to Ł360.11 - so worth it.
Had this bs with non-refundable rates (“cannot be claimed”) several times in the past. Very frustrating.
Oct 11, 2023, 6:14 pm
#889
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
Denied today due to cancel policy being different. Interestingly, I think the online travel agencies finally figured out how to get bookings. All the cancel policies on Booking.com and Agoda are different than the cancel policies offered when booking direct by one day (for the hotel I was denied). Therefore, Hilton won't honor the BRG. The rate is quite different (was $87 per night lower on the OTA). Even without any of my Hilton Diamond benefits (paying for breakfast, no late check out, etc.) it's worth not booking direct. Wonder if it'll keep happening... but if so, I may be booking via OTAs much more often (especially when there are no upgrade opptys as with the property I'm staying at).
Oct 12, 2023, 2:44 am
#890
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,082
Denied today due to cancel policy being different. Interestingly, I think the online travel agencies finally figured out how to get bookings. All the cancel policies on Booking.com and Agoda are different than the cancel policies offered when booking direct by one day (for the hotel I was denied). Therefore, Hilton won't honor the BRG. The rate is quite different (was $87 per night lower on the OTA). Even without any of my Hilton Diamond benefits (paying for breakfast, no late check out, etc.) it's worth not booking direct. Wonder if it'll keep happening... but if so, I may be booking via OTAs much more often (especially when there are no upgrade opptys as with the property I'm staying at).
Oct 12, 2023, 9:41 am
#891
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
If this continues to be a thing at Hilton, I may even consider cancelling my Hilton Aspire Amex although for the moment, I'll keep it.
Oct 12, 2023, 11:02 am
#892
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,082
It is wild that hotels would rather have the monies go through the OTA. I've already rebooked 3 US Hilton stays via OTAs saving me a whopping $850 in total. As a credit card Diamond, the loss of the nights towards status is irrelevant to me and the loss of breakfast and a few bottles of water is significantly less than the $ savings. Plus these 3 stays wouldn't have any upgrade oppty's either so no loss there. I have one more stay where I could save $80 via the OTA but breakfast for 2 would be a wash... so I kept it (for the moment). I was denied Hiltons Best Rate Guarantee at all 3 stays due to the rep being unable to find the low rate I found and/or the cancel policy being 1 day different.
If this continues to be a thing at Hilton, I may even consider cancelling my Hilton Aspire Amex although for the moment, I'll keep it.
If this continues to be a thing at Hilton, I may even consider cancelling my Hilton Aspire Amex although for the moment, I'll keep it.
Oct 12, 2023, 3:25 pm
#893
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
I just re-booked another Hilton stay via an OTA and saved $96 over 3 nights. Truly incredible Hilton corp doesn't want to match these deals... money going to the OTA now instead of to them. Now up to 22 US nights shifted with just under $1,000 in savings. I'd be less likely to shift int'l Hilton stays as they generally offer better upgrade options to Diamond members. But not one of my stays had exec lounges and only a very limited chance at upgrades. The loss is primarily breakfast and the $1k in my pocket will help pay for that.
Interestingly this isn't happening with Marriott or Hyatt. I checked all my rates with the OTA and all were the same or very similar. Only with Hilton am I able to save so much booking with the OTA vs direct. And Hilton won't match since the OTA requires pre-payment 2 days prior to each stay (rather than collecting at property). Which according to Hilton's T&C's makes the match void.
Oct 13, 2023, 3:01 am
#894
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,082
Ha. I'm sure they were lying in any case.
I just re-booked another Hilton stay via an OTA and saved $96 over 3 nights. Truly incredible Hilton corp doesn't want to match these deals... money going to the OTA now instead of to them. Now up to 22 US nights shifted with just under $1,000 in savings. I'd be less likely to shift int'l Hilton stays as they generally offer better upgrade options to Diamond members. But not one of my stays had exec lounges and only a very limited chance at upgrades. The loss is primarily breakfast and the $1k in my pocket will help pay for that.
Interestingly this isn't happening with Marriott or Hyatt. I checked all my rates with the OTA and all were the same or very similar. Only with Hilton am I able to save so much booking with the OTA vs direct. And Hilton won't match since the OTA requires pre-payment 2 days prior to each stay (rather than collecting at property). Which according to Hilton's T&C's makes the match void.
I just re-booked another Hilton stay via an OTA and saved $96 over 3 nights. Truly incredible Hilton corp doesn't want to match these deals... money going to the OTA now instead of to them. Now up to 22 US nights shifted with just under $1,000 in savings. I'd be less likely to shift int'l Hilton stays as they generally offer better upgrade options to Diamond members. But not one of my stays had exec lounges and only a very limited chance at upgrades. The loss is primarily breakfast and the $1k in my pocket will help pay for that.
Interestingly this isn't happening with Marriott or Hyatt. I checked all my rates with the OTA and all were the same or very similar. Only with Hilton am I able to save so much booking with the OTA vs direct. And Hilton won't match since the OTA requires pre-payment 2 days prior to each stay (rather than collecting at property). Which according to Hilton's T&C's makes the match void.
I think it's also more likely that Hilton in Asia offers perks even though you are booking through OTA.
Oct 13, 2023, 2:35 pm
#895
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 113
Denied today due to cancel policy being different. Interestingly, I think the online travel agencies finally figured out how to get bookings. All the cancel policies on Booking.com and Agoda are different than the cancel policies offered when booking direct by one day (for the hotel I was denied). Therefore, Hilton won't honor the BRG. The rate is quite different (was $87 per night lower on the OTA). Even without any of my Hilton Diamond benefits (paying for breakfast, no late check out, etc.) it's worth not booking direct. Wonder if it'll keep happening... but if so, I may be booking via OTAs much more often (especially when there are no upgrade opptys as with the property I'm staying at).
All T&C must be absolutely identical.
Oct 13, 2023, 8:31 pm
#896
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
Understood. Just seems weird to me as the OTAs know this too and are just changing things by a day so they get bookings (and Hilton doesn't). You'd think Hilton would care and want these bookings... but upthread someone explained why they don't. Whatever, I'm happy saving my almost $1,000 on the 4 stays I recently swapped to an OTA.
Oct 13, 2023, 9:58 pm
#897
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
For some reason or other (some penalties from corporate may be?) hotels can't book you at the lower OTA price, but if you ask them nicely, and esp. if you stay there often, they can choose to give you the status benefits even on an OTA booking. Just no points earning, that's the one thing they can't do. And your status benefits won't show, so it won't be automatic, you'll need to refer anyone who asks to the notes on your reservation.
Oct 14, 2023, 10:45 am
#898
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 33
While I did skim through the thread, I might have missed it, so my apologies if this has already been asked.
Can you match OTA rates with more restrictive cancellation policies or even non-refundable ones if the hotel only offers refundable rates (one day prior to arrival)? I'm asking because that can work with Marriott.
thanks for the help
Can you match OTA rates with more restrictive cancellation policies or even non-refundable ones if the hotel only offers refundable rates (one day prior to arrival)? I'm asking because that can work with Marriott.
thanks for the help
Oct 14, 2023, 11:21 am
#899
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
While I did skim through the thread, I might have missed it, so my apologies if this has already been asked.
Can you match OTA rates with more restrictive cancellation policies or even non-refundable ones if the hotel only offers refundable rates (one day prior to arrival)? I'm asking because that can work with Marriott.
thanks for the help
Can you match OTA rates with more restrictive cancellation policies or even non-refundable ones if the hotel only offers refundable rates (one day prior to arrival)? I'm asking because that can work with Marriott.
thanks for the help