Jan 16, 2014, 2:16 pm
Last edit by: coleslaw
Update in Hyatt BRG policy (April 2019): If your BRG claim is approved, you can choose either 5,000 World of Hyatt points or an additional 20% off the matched rate for your stay (defined as consecutive nights at the same location). Rates available on websites that require membership which is free of charge, or where membership is automatically created as part of the booking, are eligible for BRG claims.
.................................................. ..........
Recent Experiences Using the BRG (2018 and later)
YES
MAYBE
Update in Hyatt BRG policy (July 2017): if your BRG claim is approved, Hyatt will match the comparable lower rate, but will no longer offer a further 20% discount on the matched lower rate. Instead, after your stay on the BRG approved rate, you will receive a US$50 credit (or equivalent amount in the currency of your country of residence) to use on a future stay (completed within 12 months) booked on a Standard Rate, Advance Purchase Rate or Member Rate on Hyatt.com.
Q. How do I receive the $50 credit?
A. About 3-4 days after your BRG stay, Hyatt will email you a unique rate code to apply for your new reservation. You can either click on the link in the mail to book the reservation or manually enter it into the booking at Hyatt.com.
Q. Can I use the code more than once?
A. No. The code is invalid when it has already been attached to a reservation.
Q. Can I use the code to lower a rate like AAA or Double Points?
A. No. The BRG code books into its own unique rate class and can't be used with any other promotional rates.
Q. What happens if I cancel my reservation with the BRG code applied?
A. The code will can be re-used for another reservation. For this reason, DO NOT DELETE THE EMAIL FROM HYATT UNTIL AFTER YOUR STAY.
Q. What happens if a lower base rate appears available after I book the BRG rate?
A. You can cancel the first reservation (assuming there's no penalty) and then rebook using the code for the lower rate.
.................................................. ..........
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your BRG claim, and it was processed by the Hyatt Service Desk in Omaha (9805 Q Street), you can consider filing a consumer complaint (link to online form) with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office (Consumer Protection Division). Note that the online complaint form requires you to fill in a correspondence address in the US (though you can state a preference to receive correspondence by e-mail rather than by post). As reported in Post # 2691, if the AG's Office decides to investigate, it is possible that Hyatt will review your BRG claim again and, in addition, offer points for the inconvenience.
If your BRG claim was processed by the Hyatt Service Desk in Marion (1120 North Carbon Street Suite 70), you can consider filing a consumer complaint (link to online form) with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
From Post # 12:
.................................................. ..........
Recent Experiences Using the BRG (2018 and later)
YES
- Hotels.com - April 2019
- Booking.com - May 2019
MAYBE
- Skoosh - April 2019 (initially rejected as "membership site" but approved on appeal)
- SnapTravel
Update in Hyatt BRG policy (July 2017): if your BRG claim is approved, Hyatt will match the comparable lower rate, but will no longer offer a further 20% discount on the matched lower rate. Instead, after your stay on the BRG approved rate, you will receive a US$50 credit (or equivalent amount in the currency of your country of residence) to use on a future stay (completed within 12 months) booked on a Standard Rate, Advance Purchase Rate or Member Rate on Hyatt.com.
Q. How do I receive the $50 credit?
A. About 3-4 days after your BRG stay, Hyatt will email you a unique rate code to apply for your new reservation. You can either click on the link in the mail to book the reservation or manually enter it into the booking at Hyatt.com.
Q. Can I use the code more than once?
A. No. The code is invalid when it has already been attached to a reservation.
Q. Can I use the code to lower a rate like AAA or Double Points?
A. No. The BRG code books into its own unique rate class and can't be used with any other promotional rates.
Q. What happens if I cancel my reservation with the BRG code applied?
A. The code will can be re-used for another reservation. For this reason, DO NOT DELETE THE EMAIL FROM HYATT UNTIL AFTER YOUR STAY.
Q. What happens if a lower base rate appears available after I book the BRG rate?
A. You can cancel the first reservation (assuming there's no penalty) and then rebook using the code for the lower rate.
.................................................. ..........
If you are dissatisfied with the response to your BRG claim, and it was processed by the Hyatt Service Desk in Omaha (9805 Q Street), you can consider filing a consumer complaint (link to online form) with the Nebraska Attorney General's Office (Consumer Protection Division). Note that the online complaint form requires you to fill in a correspondence address in the US (though you can state a preference to receive correspondence by e-mail rather than by post). As reported in Post # 2691, if the AG's Office decides to investigate, it is possible that Hyatt will review your BRG claim again and, in addition, offer points for the inconvenience.
If your BRG claim was processed by the Hyatt Service Desk in Marion (1120 North Carbon Street Suite 70), you can consider filing a consumer complaint (link to online form) with the Illinois Attorney General's Office.
From Post # 12:
If you can’t solve your issue (please mind Hyatt's Consumer Affairs Department assists us at 1-800-323-7249) here are some other resources:
Sound Off
Conde Nast's Traveler's "Ombudsman" column features a traveler's complaint column. Send in your complaint to Ombudsman, Conde Nast Traveler, 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036.
Legal Options
Sound Off
- Contact Consumer Traveler (my pick: Christopher Elliott)
- Consumer Tools (My3cents.com is a leading source of consumer advice)
- Post a complaint for public view
- Consumer Comment Form (please mind: If you file a complaint it becomes property of “Consumer Affairs” and they are not obliged to remove it if you solve the issue)
Conde Nast's Traveler's "Ombudsman" column features a traveler's complaint column. Send in your complaint to Ombudsman, Conde Nast Traveler, 4 Times Square, New York, NY 10036.
Legal Options
- File a complaint at you state's attorney general's office
- Small Claims Court (link provides also a helping hand on how to resolve problem without going to small claims court)
- Federal Trade Commission (The FTC does not resolve individual consumer complaints.)
Hyatt - Best Rate Guarantee - Experiences - MASTER THREAD - WIKI
Jun 11, 2012, 9:27 am
#181
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
Oops, you're correct. I meant to say non-refundable rate (edited to reflect this). I thought it was a bad agent at first, but I called back to speak with 5 other agents, and each one told me the same exact thing. What matters is a price on a 3rd party website that's lower than the lowest price on Hyatt.com, regardless of cancellation policy. 
I do not like the password policy though.
Jun 14, 2012, 12:49 pm
#182
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: PHL, NYC, DC
Posts: 9,708
Rather discouraged this afternoon by the BRG......
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
Jun 14, 2012, 1:38 pm
#183
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Another stupid one (first time I tried to use the BRG)
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
- Hoteltravel: €101 + €17 tax = € 118 (denied as mentioned before due to tax and (free) account required when booking).
- Agoda: €147 (denied with claim that my Hyatt rate would amount to € 127 due to the free night).
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
Jun 14, 2012, 2:21 pm
#184
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Marina Del Rey, CA
Programs: AA EXPLAT, HYATT GLOBALIST, AS75K
Posts: 607
Another stupid one (first time I tried to use the BRG)
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
- Hoteltravel: €101 + €17 tax = € 118 (denied as mentioned before due to tax and (free) account required when booking).
- Agoda: €147 (denied with claim that my Hyatt rate would amount to € 127 due to the free night).
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
1) did you end up going with hoteltravel.com?
2) Does hyatt allow stay credit for third-party booking sites?
Jun 15, 2012, 12:06 am
#185
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
It's probably due to the fact that you are booking on short notice, now the rates are indeed quite high. Even on 3rd party websites the savings are minimal.
The period I'm looking at is at the end of August. Still some time to go and in the summer holiday period.
I've never booked through 3rd party website so I'm not sure about what happens with the stay credit. I think I've read here that most bookings through other websites won't earn anything. The T&C states: In order for a Hyatt Gold Passport member to receive Hyatt Gold Passport points, the bill for charges must be in that member's name and member must personally pay for all charges. And you would normally pay the 3rd party and not Hyatt.
For my booking I haven't decided yet what to do. My reservation can be cancelled so I'm flexible. Probably one night through Hyatt with a BRG and the rest through Hoteltravel.
But I think I will first contact the hotel directly to see if they will match the Hoteltravel offer for free breakfast. I could have breakfast in the lounge but prefer a full breakfast.
If they are willing to do that I'm fine with paying €127 a night with the FreeTime offer.
Although I feel that the Hyatt website should at least be somewhat competitive with the 3rd party offers, now the differences are way too high and the BRG doesn't seem to work.
The period I'm looking at is at the end of August. Still some time to go and in the summer holiday period.
I've never booked through 3rd party website so I'm not sure about what happens with the stay credit. I think I've read here that most bookings through other websites won't earn anything. The T&C states: In order for a Hyatt Gold Passport member to receive Hyatt Gold Passport points, the bill for charges must be in that member's name and member must personally pay for all charges. And you would normally pay the 3rd party and not Hyatt.
For my booking I haven't decided yet what to do. My reservation can be cancelled so I'm flexible. Probably one night through Hyatt with a BRG and the rest through Hoteltravel.
But I think I will first contact the hotel directly to see if they will match the Hoteltravel offer for free breakfast. I could have breakfast in the lounge but prefer a full breakfast.
If they are willing to do that I'm fine with paying €127 a night with the FreeTime offer.
Although I feel that the Hyatt website should at least be somewhat competitive with the 3rd party offers, now the differences are way too high and the BRG doesn't seem to work.
Last edited by RTW1; Jun 15, 2012 at 7:17 am
Jun 15, 2012, 8:50 am
#189
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
Rather discouraged this afternoon by the BRG......
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
Oh, wow! That's not good! They should honor your lower rates!
Jun 15, 2012, 9:04 am
#190
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Actually not in this case... the Diamond guaranteed is applied when the hotel is fully booked and they will have to walk someone else with a valid booking. That justifies the higher price.
Apparently the hotel has some (wholesale) customers that they have sold a number of rooms to. And those rooms are still available on the 3rd party websites.
Since Hyatt has no control over this capacity they are still fully booked even if there are rooms available elsewhere. Therefore the advice to book with the 3rd party website seems valid (or pay the inflated guaranteed rate).
Apparently the hotel has some (wholesale) customers that they have sold a number of rooms to. And those rooms are still available on the 3rd party websites.
Since Hyatt has no control over this capacity they are still fully booked even if there are rooms available elsewhere. Therefore the advice to book with the 3rd party website seems valid (or pay the inflated guaranteed rate).
Last edited by RTW1; Jun 15, 2012 at 9:31 am
Jun 15, 2012, 9:46 am
#191
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Hyatt diamond
Posts: 645
Another stupid one (first time I tried to use the BRG)
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
Grand Hyatt Berlin: Hyatt rate €190
Booked for 3 nights so I was able to use the FreeTime offer (3rd night free), so total of € 380 for 3 nights = € 127 / night.
- Hoteltravel: €101 + €17 tax = € 118 (denied as mentioned before due to tax and (free) account required when booking).
- Agoda: €147 (denied with claim that my Hyatt rate would amount to € 127 due to the free night).
So I will now cancel my FreeTime reservation and book at the daily rate which is also €190/night and BRG the Agoda rate. My final rate will then be €118 and I will get credited 3 nights instead of 2.
Or book one night (with the BRG) so I can at least earn my stay credit and book the rest with Hoteltravel. The Hoteltravel rate even includes breakfast!
Again the BRG is useless and a pain to have to jump through hoops to get a rate that is offered on the 3rd party websites.
Jun 15, 2012, 9:53 am
#192
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: Hyatt diamond
Posts: 645
Rather discouraged this afternoon by the BRG......
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
I'm booking Hyatt Place Des Moines..... it says its sold out, then I plug my Diamond membership number in, guaranteed rate of $278ish..... Go to aircanada.com Hotels (I believe its operated by Expedia or Hotels.com) and I can get it for $165.........
BRG's response - this cannot apply to third party wholesale websites (ie. expedia and hotels.com; and the hotel is sold out but there are rooms available with others.....i suggest u book through them instead of checking to see if they can do anything on their end....
great way to send me elsewhere on a sailboat
i can confirm that the lowest booking rate (from a few days back) was $161 + taxes.
Jun 15, 2012, 10:25 am
#193
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
A lame way to handle it (I also don't consider it an award but rather a reduced rate, and apparently even Hyatt applies this logic with the BRG). But more people have experienced it....
Makes it even more difficult to qualify for Diamond.
Jun 19, 2012, 12:33 am
#195
Join Date: Dec 2008
Programs: M&M FQT, BA G, Bonvoy LTT, WoH GLOB
Posts: 960
For a one week stay at GH Berlin in August. I gave them three websites that are between 10% and 20% lower than Hyatt. All 3 were declined due to the aforementioned ridiculous reasons (free account required, etc.). If they are not committed to this then they should not offer it. This is counterproductive as now I am really unhappy.
Probably it's a good deal for them as now it turns out I gave them 3 free website references they can follow up on with their research. Maybe that's what it's all about.
Probably it's a good deal for them as now it turns out I gave them 3 free website references they can follow up on with their research. Maybe that's what it's all about.