Originally Posted by
joakgarp
One of many reasons why I try to stay away from SPGs hotels as much as possible and use them as a last resort. Their BRG-rules are almost or close as bad as Hyatt's. Somehow every 3rd party hotel site has a deal with SPG to always offer the exact same locked rate as SPG's lowest uncancellable rate. It's obvious. Flexible rate could differ but you may not compare SPG's flexible rate with another Flexible rate from a 3rd party.
Been trying to compare SPG hotels from Japan and Seoul. Same exact locked rate everywhere, no matter which month I pick and dates. Experienced the same last summer in Tokyo. Ridiculous and shouldn't be allowed. It's destroying the market.
This is not the case with Marriott. Am afraid Marriott is approaching the same locked rate in the future but I sure hope not.
You are not trying hard enough. All my stays have been brg stays(including 3 seperate stay in Tokyo), i can't recall when was the last time i did not BRG my stays other than redemption nights. It may take a bit more effort to look for the lower rates but end of the day this is a 100% legitimate program.