Originally Posted by
IHG Care
If you find a lower price on a third party website, but are not eligible for a Free Night due to the 30 day restriction IHG does not match the price. However, as the lower rate is available via the third party you can book through them to obtain the lower rate.
Ben J
IHG Care
This is becoming more and more bizarre as each day passes and IHG reinvents its Ts+Cs. This is definitely an innovative BRG - the only one in the travel industry that actually encourages us to book on a third party website to get a cheaper rate
But of course the Ts+Cs don't say or even imply what IHG Care has posted. The only restriction is a limit on the Free night component:
Free Night Restrictions. In the event of a valid claim, the award of a free night is limited to one free night per the name on the reservation for any thirty day period between reservation check-in dates.
There is no mention/hint of a restriction to the price match component of the BRG. So IHG just seems to implement policies that they pull out of nowhere.