Originally Posted by margarita girl

Ouch! Costly mistake. I live to find a cheaper rate than on the SPG website.

I book my room on SPG's website using the Aeroplan e-store portal, so I earn miles on the inflated rate (say 200 miles for a $200 room rate). I then submit a BRG to SPG within 24 hrs (see the BRG thread for lots of ideas/examples) for say, $150. I get the lower rate, all my SPG points, and an extra 2000 points for finding a cheaper rate elsewhere! I'm so spoiled with these that I am disappointed if I don't earn a min. of 3000 pts/night now. That's the equivalent of a free room at a cat 3 hotel!

Oh well, live and learn, and promise to do better next time.