Originally Posted by
Smart Shopper
Sorry for being vague, and thanks very much for your input: Here is my second approach:
- The APR rate I found on booking.com was (considerably) cheaper than the APR rate at hyatt.com.
- The first question Hyatt’s associate asked me: Does the competing rate I found at booking.com includes taxes? I denied.
- On the contrary to your information, she questioned if booking.com is an eligible site when it comes to BRG claim. She looked up booking.com’s T&C and presented to me this sentence:
- She said, that as booking.com don’t let me immediately book online, she has to refuse to accept my claim.
- I replied that I don’t understand why I should not be able to book immediately at booking.com as I enter into a direct (legally binding) contractual relationship with Hyatt.
- She responded that has nothing to do as booking.com acts solely as an intermediary between me and Hyatt.
- I asked about the difference between other third party sites & booking.com
- Her replay: Believe me, I am doing this for nine years.
- At this point I whished her a nice evening.
Unfortunately we did not reach the point if booking.com will pull the rate (which sometimes is the matter eg at travelocity) when hyatt do book, as my request did not qualified: According to Hyatt’s associate my competing rate did not qualified because booking.com don’t let me immediately book online.
OK -- this is my response for you and anyone else who has trouble with a BRG for this or any other website.
Take the name of the agent down and escalate it to a supervisor if necessary, and get that person's name, as well.
As to your inquiry, the BRG agent is plain flat wrong -- what Booking.com does -- and by the way, i think uppthread it is identified as a corporate affiliate and owned by Priceline, hardly a fly by night compay -- is pre-negotiate with various hotels for a discount.
If the rate appears on Booking.com, it is available to be booked and confirmed by booking.com electronically -- no wiait, etc. It is instantaneous and is no different that if you booked via expedia, travelocity, etc.
In sum, she is wrong -- Booking.com does let you book immediately online.
I would call up BRG again, reference this very thread - they have the ability to see this since they have access to the outsiide world by checking other websites.
If they don't relent, get their names and escalate this to Corporate Customer Service.
Also, PM Karen about this -- this was supposed to have been taken care of when I had the issue with the agent and her supervisor and I was assured that a directive had been issued to the staff.
In addition, ask for points for compensation for your wasted time -- you deserve it!!!
Let us know how it ends.
Good luck!
NJ