Apr 17, 2017, 8:50 am
Last edit by: FLYGVA
Most important points to consider for a valid BRG:
1. The comparison website MUST bill in the same currency as the hotel .
2. The cancellation terms must be equal or better, than the terms by the hotels.
3. The Website needs to provide INSTANT confirmation.
4. The room names should match, but if you can demonstrate, that the room is comparable, it will also work with discrepancies in the name.
5. The price difference has to be more than either USD 1 or 1% (whichever is higher).
5.b In regards to hotels located in australia and New Zealand the price difference must be greater than 3% .
Hotels for which you will get reimbursed:
(Note: There have been significant problems with getting full reimbursements from IHG, especially for reimbursements in other currencies than USD)
IC Istanbul ( BRG claim from the 17.05.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
IC Frankfurt ( BRG claim from the 20.08.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
Link to the Terms and Conditions : https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...rms-conditions
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
1. The comparison website MUST bill in the same currency as the hotel .
2. The cancellation terms must be equal or better, than the terms by the hotels.
3. The Website needs to provide INSTANT confirmation.
4. The room names should match, but if you can demonstrate, that the room is comparable, it will also work with discrepancies in the name.
5. The price difference has to be more than either USD 1 or 1% (whichever is higher).
5.b In regards to hotels located in australia and New Zealand the price difference must be greater than 3% .
Hotels for which you will get reimbursed:
(Note: There have been significant problems with getting full reimbursements from IHG, especially for reimbursements in other currencies than USD)
IC Istanbul ( BRG claim from the 17.05.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
IC Frankfurt ( BRG claim from the 20.08.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
Link to the Terms and Conditions : https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...rms-conditions
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
New IHG Best Rate Guarantee - Discussion & Feedback from January 2016
Apr 22, 2017, 9:45 pm
#708
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 989
In my experience, the double standard definitely exists, but it's due to improper training. According to T and Cs, the claim is invalid because Amoma states they charge in euros. However, I've gotten approvals with Amoma on usd rates as well as aud rates. Additionally, I still get the occasional approval for a flexible rate, when nonrefundable rate is cheapest listed rate.
Apr 28, 2017, 11:39 pm
#711
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: HH Dia, IHG Dia Amb, MB Ti, WoH G, OWE
Posts: 270
IHG BRG will investigate in their own from competitor domain. As long publicly rate should be fine. Doubt hotelcombined using promotional code. But no harm try ur luck to submit BRG on refundable rate.
Apr 29, 2017, 8:48 am
#712
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: EWR
Programs: AA, Delta, NWA,HHonors, Hyatt BF
Posts: 1,762
This is why I dislike IC SIN. They're just ..... not cool. I never stay there anymore. Their RA benefits are garbage, and they are just not a great hotel, period.
Is someone taking IHG to court at some point? It's ridiculous how many footnotes, both explicit and implied, their stupid so-called BRG has.
Is someone taking IHG to court at some point? It's ridiculous how many footnotes, both explicit and implied, their stupid so-called BRG has.
It was my intention to book a non-refundable room with a bullet-proof BRG. I haven't filed a BRG with them in over a year so I was thinking things must have improved (not sure why I thought that but hope springs eternal.)
Denied: lower rate not visible on competing site.
Response: screen shot of lower rate available. Time frame - less than 24 hours.
Occupants - 2
Room - standard
Denied: Special membership rates cannot be used for comparison on a BRG
Response: You don't need a "special membership" to book a room on Priceline.
The usual delay....(2 days) and now the price matches so I'm sure today will be "Your price is the same or greater" again.
Anyway, I do have some experience with small claims (not a lot but all good - I do my research) so it's on my agenda, although it would be nice if they stopped clowning around and just honored what they advertise.
Apr 29, 2017, 12:13 pm
#714
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: EWR
Programs: AA, Delta, NWA,HHonors, Hyatt BF
Posts: 1,762
Booking the "Your Rate" does not negate the guarantee, correct? Like I said it's been about a year - I'm keen to the completely matching room types requirements, check-in/out variables, occupancy, breakfast additional and other factors that would make the bookings differ but in my case it was a perfect match. Also my rate was non-refundable and the lowest price they offered on any room at any rate.
Apr 30, 2017, 2:54 pm
#715
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: Yorkshire Coastliner
Posts: 1,278
May 1, 2017, 5:32 pm
#718
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
May 2, 2017, 4:37 am
#719
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 85
I want to kick myself for failing to come here before believe that IHG had an honest program with the intention of enticing people to use their website for booking without fear of finding the same rooms elsewhere for a cheaper price. Given the number of pages for this issue, I can see now why my claim just hit a brick wall.
I wanted a night at the Dallas Market Center Crowne Plaza. The website showed $110 and a member rate of $106. I tried the member rate selection and it said I wasn't qualified for that offer, so I booked the $110 rate. I found an expedia rate for $94 and filed a request for the guarantee on the IHG website.
Without even considering that $94 is less than the $106, they denied my request because I didn't book the $106 rate. This is disingenuous at best and fraud is more likely. I am confident that if somehow I could have booked the $106 rate, they would have stated that it was a special rate and didn't qualify for the guarantee. It is almost worth $106 to prove that is true by booking another room.
So now I have a non refundable room at a significantly higher rate than I could have received using expedia or even my UR points. In my opinion, their terms and conditions are written in such a way that only the very diligent and people with the sense to check flyertalk first will ever get approved. If I do use the room, it will be my last stay at a IHG property. Or, let's say it will be the last time that I pay to stay at an IHG property because I am going to go back and read this entire thread and find out how to continually book free nights and educate others on how to do it as well.
I wanted a night at the Dallas Market Center Crowne Plaza. The website showed $110 and a member rate of $106. I tried the member rate selection and it said I wasn't qualified for that offer, so I booked the $110 rate. I found an expedia rate for $94 and filed a request for the guarantee on the IHG website.
Without even considering that $94 is less than the $106, they denied my request because I didn't book the $106 rate. This is disingenuous at best and fraud is more likely. I am confident that if somehow I could have booked the $106 rate, they would have stated that it was a special rate and didn't qualify for the guarantee. It is almost worth $106 to prove that is true by booking another room.
So now I have a non refundable room at a significantly higher rate than I could have received using expedia or even my UR points. In my opinion, their terms and conditions are written in such a way that only the very diligent and people with the sense to check flyertalk first will ever get approved. If I do use the room, it will be my last stay at a IHG property. Or, let's say it will be the last time that I pay to stay at an IHG property because I am going to go back and read this entire thread and find out how to continually book free nights and educate others on how to do it as well.
May 2, 2017, 7:51 am
#720
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 141
I want to kick myself for failing to come here before believe that IHG had an honest program with the intention of enticing people to use their website for booking without fear of finding the same rooms elsewhere for a cheaper price. Given the number of pages for this issue, I can see now why my claim just hit a brick wall.
I wanted a night at the Dallas Market Center Crowne Plaza. The website showed $110 and a member rate of $106. I tried the member rate selection and it said I wasn't qualified for that offer, so I booked the $110 rate. I found an expedia rate for $94 and filed a request for the guarantee on the IHG website.
Without even considering that $94 is less than the $106, they denied my request because I didn't book the $106 rate. This is disingenuous at best and fraud is more likely. I am confident that if somehow I could have booked the $106 rate, they would have stated that it was a special rate and didn't qualify for the guarantee. It is almost worth $106 to prove that is true by booking another room.
So now I have a non refundable room at a significantly higher rate than I could have received using expedia or even my UR points. In my opinion, their terms and conditions are written in such a way that only the very diligent and people with the sense to check flyertalk first will ever get approved. If I do use the room, it will be my last stay at a IHG property. Or, let's say it will be the last time that I pay to stay at an IHG property because I am going to go back and read this entire thread and find out how to continually book free nights and educate others on how to do it as well.
I wanted a night at the Dallas Market Center Crowne Plaza. The website showed $110 and a member rate of $106. I tried the member rate selection and it said I wasn't qualified for that offer, so I booked the $110 rate. I found an expedia rate for $94 and filed a request for the guarantee on the IHG website.
Without even considering that $94 is less than the $106, they denied my request because I didn't book the $106 rate. This is disingenuous at best and fraud is more likely. I am confident that if somehow I could have booked the $106 rate, they would have stated that it was a special rate and didn't qualify for the guarantee. It is almost worth $106 to prove that is true by booking another room.
So now I have a non refundable room at a significantly higher rate than I could have received using expedia or even my UR points. In my opinion, their terms and conditions are written in such a way that only the very diligent and people with the sense to check flyertalk first will ever get approved. If I do use the room, it will be my last stay at a IHG property. Or, let's say it will be the last time that I pay to stay at an IHG property because I am going to go back and read this entire thread and find out how to continually book free nights and educate others on how to do it as well.