So my friend and I are going to Rome. I booked the Intercontinental hotel at 365 Euros, which was the flexible rate. Kayak had the rate for a little less. I submitted the claim over the phone and was told that it was only $1.49 difference so they couldn’t honor it since a currency exchange had to be more than $5.00 difference. The IHG site had Euros and Kayak had US dollars. I canceled the booking.

I booked the same hotel on the same date for 1000 Euros for a Suite with a separate Living Room. Same deal as above. It turns out that there was a $5.12 difference in price. The agent said that they round down and the claim had to be more than $5.00. I pointed out that the T&C stated at it had to be AT LEAST $5.00 less when converting currencies. This means that even if they rounded down to $5.00, I would have met that threshold. She kept insisting that the policy was MORE THAN $5.00 and finally relented that she understood what I was saying, agreed, but that the claim would be denied. She recommended that I try for a lower rate. So, I canceled the booking.

I then went through the same steps and booked the Penthouse Suite with a terrace view for 2,500 Euros per night. With the conversion, the difference in price was $12.79. This one actually got approved. However, she has to pass the request over to the hotel itself for approval. (Not sure why) Haven’t received an email confirmation yet, but she gave me a case number. I asked if it was because the claim was so high stakes and she said yes. I can see NO good reason why this claim would be denied per the BRG. Whether the threshold is $5 or 5 Euros, I’ve cleared the hurdle.

Not optimistic…but if it works out, that’s one heck of a score. I would have been perfectly happy with a lesser room. So, we tempted fate and had my friend do the same thing for the next night. He got the exact same response. The only great part about this is that the Penthouse's lowest rate is a Flexible one. If I'm denied, I lose nothing.