I'm assuming that there's no "grace period" to cancel a non-refundable IHG rate?
I have a situation where a competitor (Priceline) has lower refundable and non-refundable rates than Holiday Inn on a hotel I'd like to stay at. My refundable BRG was denied because IHG's non-refundable rate is lower than Priceline's refundable rate.
Without having a way to cancel, I'm not willing to "try my luck" booking the non-refundable IHG rate and submitting a BRG for Priceline's lower non-refundable rate.
BTW, do most IHG non-refundable rates require a 2 week advance purchase? If so, that would seem to be the possible window to attempt a BRG in this situation.