[EXPIRED] Best Rate Guarantee is offering free room again!
Oct 27, 2014, 7:24 am
#406
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 989
Hi guys, newbie question to choice BRGs. If the 3rd party website offers a refundable rate that is cheaper than the choice nonrefundable rate, can I Submit a claim? The reason I don't think I can't BRG against the choice refundable rate is because the cancellation terms are 3 days apart. Thanks
Oct 30, 2014, 3:59 am
#407
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Leeds UK
Programs: BD, AA, BA, CO Marriott Plat>gold, Hyatt Diamond>Plat,Hilton Gold SPG Gold PC Plat
Posts: 1,093
It's getting much harder now for a claim to be approved. The cancellation terms have to match exactly and the 3rd party rate has to be a pay when you stay rate. Before they would approve claims with cancellation terms that varied by a few days. Also, they would approve claims from 3rd party sites that required prepayment, even when the rate at ChoiceHotels.com was a pay when you stay rate. Anyone else having the same issues?
Edit: Just saw a few posts up that someone else mentioned the same thing back in August.
Edit: Just saw a few posts up that someone else mentioned the same thing back in August.
Nov 11, 2014, 3:55 am
#408
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CGN
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, DL PM, IC RA
Posts: 239
No answer after 68 hours
I filed a claim about 68 hours ago.Did not hear anything back. Also asked [email protected] when to expect a reply - no answer after 24 hours. As I read in this thread this does not seem to be a normal respond time. What can I do if they do not answer? Is there a helpline or can I claim via telephone?
- Got confirmation of a free night after 72 hours.
- Got confirmation of a free night after 72 hours.
Last edited by cgnSenator; Nov 11, 2014 at 1:11 pm
Nov 14, 2014, 8:09 pm
#409
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 344
So now they're actually admitting that they're changing the prices so that they don't have the honor of the best rate guarantee 24 hours after I submitted claim I received the below response;
Thank you for your interest in participating in our Best Internet Rate Guarantee program.
Please be advised that the rates at www.choicehotels.com have changed since you made your reservation. Our current rate is equal to the rate you found at the competing website.
We have adjusted your reservation to reflect that rate. Your rate is $206.10 plus tax, per night. If you find a lower rate within the 24-hours of making your original reservation, please resubmit your claim form and we will be happy to process your request at that time.
Thank You
Ethan
Best Internet Rate Guarantee
Thank you for your interest in participating in our Best Internet Rate Guarantee program.
Please be advised that the rates at www.choicehotels.com have changed since you made your reservation. Our current rate is equal to the rate you found at the competing website.
We have adjusted your reservation to reflect that rate. Your rate is $206.10 plus tax, per night. If you find a lower rate within the 24-hours of making your original reservation, please resubmit your claim form and we will be happy to process your request at that time.
Thank You
Ethan
Best Internet Rate Guarantee
Nov 17, 2014, 8:33 am
#412
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 344
Dec 16, 2014, 8:02 am
#414
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,424
One little known Choice BRG "trick" is that if you're travelling with a group (like your family) you can request multiple free rooms for the same night. I've asked for up to 4, and have had them approved.
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
Dec 17, 2014, 8:51 am
#415
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: PC Pl, UA 1K, CC Gl
Posts: 2,235
One little known Choice BRG "trick" is that if you're travelling with a group (like your family) you can request multiple free rooms for the same night. I've asked for up to 4, and have had them approved.
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
Dec 18, 2014, 9:03 am
#416
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 44
Choice BRG is getting more difficult these days and agents are rejecting claims based on the smallest things they can find in the T&C.
Booking 1: Rejected as Choice website rate is "Double Bed", while competing website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst Choice guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: Choice quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: Choice room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match Choice website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
Booking 1: Rejected as Choice website rate is "Double Bed", while competing website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst Choice guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: Choice quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: Choice room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match Choice website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
Last edited by lhwjud; Dec 19, 2014 at 3:14 pm
Dec 18, 2014, 12:23 pm
#417
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Posts: 51
One little known Choice BRG "trick" is that if you're travelling with a group (like your family) you can request multiple free rooms for the same night. I've asked for up to 4, and have had them approved.
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
But the rooms have to be the same: you apparently can't ask for 2 different room types. I tried it (because that's what I actually wanted: a room with 1 king, and a room with 2 queens) and they bounced it saying I couldn't have booked it that way on the competitor's site (I think I could have, but whatever). So I cancelled my Choice rez, made a new one, and resubmitted a new BRG with the identical rooms. Voila!
Dec 19, 2014, 1:12 pm
#418
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,934
Choice BRG is getting more difficult these days and agents are rejecting claims based on the smallest things they can find in the T&C.
Booking 1: Rejected as BW website rate is "Double Bed", while competiting website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst BW guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: BW quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: BW room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match BW website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
Booking 1: Rejected as BW website rate is "Double Bed", while competiting website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst BW guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: BW quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: BW room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match BW website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
You posted in the Choice forum, you said Choice at the beginning, and then every example you gave you meantioned Best Western instead!! So which is it???
Dec 19, 2014, 3:15 pm
#419
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 44
Dec 25, 2014, 1:24 am
#420
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Hinterlands, CA
Posts: 363
Choice BRG is getting more difficult these days and agents are rejecting claims based on the smallest things they can find in the T&C.
Booking 1: Rejected as Choice website rate is "Double Bed", while competing website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst Choice guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: Choice quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: Choice room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match Choice website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
Booking 1: Rejected as Choice website rate is "Double Bed", while competing website is "Double Bed or 2 Twin Bed". Reason being there is no gurantee of bed type on competitor website whilst Choice guarantees a double bed.
Booking 2: Choice quadroom "1 double & 2 single" cannot be compared to competitor's bedding options of "2 doubles, or 1 double & 2 single" because it is not guaranteed.
Booking 3: Choice room against hotel's own website. Rejection came after 50hours and hotel website changed rate to match Choice website. Happened in 2 occassions.
Not only the bed type must match, but also must be guaranteed? Surely this is against the spirit of the BRG program?
As for #3, I think most BRGs exclude the hotel's own booking engine.
It would be great if any hotel chain lived by the "spirit" of BRGs, yet revenue trumps spirit every time