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.
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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
Mar 5, 2020, 11:10 am
#2986
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,578
They do that all the time. Submitting the screenshot is pointless even though it is required. They regularly just claim they don't see it...some conspiracists believe they use the time to wait for it to sell out on the ota, or even contact them and make them change the price. Honestly the BRG used to be great way back when but it has become almost useless in the last few years.
Mar 5, 2020, 11:25 am
#2987
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
They do that all the time. Submitting the screenshot is pointless even though it is required. They regularly just claim they don't see it...some conspiracists believe they use the time to wait for it to sell out on the ota, or even contact them and make them change the price. Honestly the BRG used to be great way back when but it has become almost useless in the last few years.
Mar 5, 2020, 12:49 pm
#2988
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: SFO
Posts: 489
I think providing the web url is required rather than the screenshot even though I provided both. The problem that I noticed is that the room types differ slightly in naming convention despite being the same. I think this is done intentionally to give them a way out from matching the lower price. It's BS at the end of the day. Seems like deceptive marketing not just from Hyatt, but Marriott as well.
Mar 5, 2020, 1:05 pm
#2989
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
There's a reason why the wiki only has two OTAs listed...
IME, for flexible BRGs your only hope is to compare with "pay at the hotel" via an OTA in the Expedia or Priceline/Booking empires.
For prepaid, you might get lucky with a different OTA, but with all of the risk that entails.
And as with all BRGs, the IP address from which you search OTAs can give different rates to those that the hotel chain sees. Very little to be done other than VPN to the US before wasting anybody's time...
IME, for flexible BRGs your only hope is to compare with "pay at the hotel" via an OTA in the Expedia or Priceline/Booking empires.
For prepaid, you might get lucky with a different OTA, but with all of the risk that entails.
And as with all BRGs, the IP address from which you search OTAs can give different rates to those that the hotel chain sees. Very little to be done other than VPN to the US before wasting anybody's time...
Mar 5, 2020, 10:18 pm
#2990
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
There's a reason why the wiki only has two OTAs listed...
IME, for flexible BRGs your only hope is to compare with "pay at the hotel" via an OTA in the Expedia or Priceline/Booking empires.
For prepaid, you might get lucky with a different OTA, but with all of the risk that entails.
And as with all BRGs, the IP address from which you search OTAs can give different rates to those that the hotel chain sees. Very little to be done other than VPN to the US before wasting anybody's time...
IME, for flexible BRGs your only hope is to compare with "pay at the hotel" via an OTA in the Expedia or Priceline/Booking empires.
For prepaid, you might get lucky with a different OTA, but with all of the risk that entails.
And as with all BRGs, the IP address from which you search OTAs can give different rates to those that the hotel chain sees. Very little to be done other than VPN to the US before wasting anybody's time...
Mar 6, 2020, 2:42 am
#2991
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,053
I find it liberating. I can run quick checks on the main aggregators without wasting too much time on obscure OTAs. I've done several Hyatt BRGs so far this year, but it's a question of moving fast when one of the major OTAs has a sale on...
Mar 6, 2020, 11:10 am
#2992
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
Is there like a price calendar feature similar to Google Flights where I can easily see the prices up to a month in advance for a specific property?
Mar 6, 2020, 1:15 pm
#2993
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, VA, AC, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 3,784
If you're 100% confident in your claim, flood the hotel with reservations and eat up all its inventory, then cancel at the last moment. Yes, it's petty. But so is Hyatt.
Mar 6, 2020, 1:26 pm
#2994
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 19,905
It's a waste of my time. I just cancelled my reservation with Hyatt. Since I need my EQNs for Marriott as well, I'll just go with those guys.
Mar 8, 2020, 9:44 pm
#2995
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,874
I guess I’m out of the BRG period but I booked an advance purchase rate and now the rate went even lower likely due to Covid-19.
Any chance they’d refund the difference? The exact same option I booked before with the same room type and cancelation info is now cheaper.
Any chance they’d refund the difference? The exact same option I booked before with the same room type and cancelation info is now cheaper.
Mar 29, 2020, 6:38 pm
#2996
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
I was able to get 3 nights at hyatt ziva cancun on 11/7 to 11/10 for $419 a night on playa resorts.com and the same non member rate was $441 on htatt.com I chose the 20% off so my paid 3 nights will cost $1006. I tried to book 1 more night on top of my 2 award nights and the claim was denied as hyatt claims the member rate and non member rate are one in the same?
Mar 29, 2020, 6:40 pm
#2997
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 825
probably not but I would check cancelation policy as you may be able to cancel and rebook.
Apr 11, 2020, 10:33 pm
#2998
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,874
BRG Question -
I booked an advanced purchase rate, then the next day found a cheaper rate. I did a BRG and it was approved over the phone.
Since then rates have again gone down publicly and on Hyatt.com so much so that there’s not even an advanced purchase rate option anymore only the member rate or standard rate.
Can I call and have the price lowered again? Or will that invalidate the BRG and lose the 5k points? Guessing it’d invalidate it. It’s about $10 less than the rate they matched the BRG to and it’s not an advance purchase rate same on Hyatt and publicly available like Priceline.
I booked an advanced purchase rate, then the next day found a cheaper rate. I did a BRG and it was approved over the phone.
Since then rates have again gone down publicly and on Hyatt.com so much so that there’s not even an advanced purchase rate option anymore only the member rate or standard rate.
Can I call and have the price lowered again? Or will that invalidate the BRG and lose the 5k points? Guessing it’d invalidate it. It’s about $10 less than the rate they matched the BRG to and it’s not an advance purchase rate same on Hyatt and publicly available like Priceline.
Apr 13, 2020, 10:15 am
#2999
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 407
BRG Question -
I booked an advanced purchase rate, then the next day found a cheaper rate. I did a BRG and it was approved over the phone.
Since then rates have again gone down publicly and on Hyatt.com so much so that there’s not even an advanced purchase rate option anymore only the member rate or standard rate.
Can I call and have the price lowered again? Or will that invalidate the BRG and lose the 5k points? Guessing it’d invalidate it. It’s about $10 less than the rate they matched the BRG to and it’s not an advance purchase rate same on Hyatt and publicly available like Priceline.
I booked an advanced purchase rate, then the next day found a cheaper rate. I did a BRG and it was approved over the phone.
Since then rates have again gone down publicly and on Hyatt.com so much so that there’s not even an advanced purchase rate option anymore only the member rate or standard rate.
Can I call and have the price lowered again? Or will that invalidate the BRG and lose the 5k points? Guessing it’d invalidate it. It’s about $10 less than the rate they matched the BRG to and it’s not an advance purchase rate same on Hyatt and publicly available like Priceline.
Apr 13, 2020, 4:29 pm
#3000
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,874
Since the new rates are the same as Hyatt if I make a new reservation a new claim wouldn’t be approved.