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.
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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
Jan 4, 2012, 8:03 am
#91
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: SPG*P, AA*1MM, UA*1P, Hilton*D, Hyatt*D, Sixt*P, Hertz*P, Avis*F, Delta*G
Posts: 242
you don't have to book the hotel.
just call hyatt BRG.
fyi, they will discourage you with all kinds of crapy...reasons......
good luck!
just call hyatt BRG.
fyi, they will discourage you with all kinds of crapy...reasons......
good luck!
I used hoteltravel.com for several succesfull claims in California (i.e. Andaz WeHo and HR San Francisco).
For the Grand Hyatt in New York I found a non-refundable rate of USD 279, the refundable rate is 340.
On the Hyatt website these rates are: 310 (non-refundable) and 350 (refundable). As I like to keep my options open, I prefer to book the refundable rate. Does anyone know if I book the refundable rate, Hyatt will match the non-refundable rate of 279?
For the Grand Hyatt in New York I found a non-refundable rate of USD 279, the refundable rate is 340.
On the Hyatt website these rates are: 310 (non-refundable) and 350 (refundable). As I like to keep my options open, I prefer to book the refundable rate. Does anyone know if I book the refundable rate, Hyatt will match the non-refundable rate of 279?
Jan 4, 2012, 8:29 am
#92
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
I used hoteltravel.com for several succesfull claims in California (i.e. Andaz WeHo and HR San Francisco).
For the Grand Hyatt in New York I found a non-refundable rate of USD 279, the refundable rate is 340.
On the Hyatt website these rates are: 310 (non-refundable) and 350 (refundable). As I like to keep my options open, I prefer to book the refundable rate. Does anyone know if I book the refundable rate, Hyatt will match the non-refundable rate of 279?
For the Grand Hyatt in New York I found a non-refundable rate of USD 279, the refundable rate is 340.
On the Hyatt website these rates are: 310 (non-refundable) and 350 (refundable). As I like to keep my options open, I prefer to book the refundable rate. Does anyone know if I book the refundable rate, Hyatt will match the non-refundable rate of 279?
And to reiterate pclee's point, you don't have to book a hotel first. This works for new reservations as well.
Jan 5, 2012, 2:54 am
#93
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 5
From my experience, you don't need to worry about which type of rate you book. I've submitted quite a few BRG claims against the Advance Purchase/Non-refundable rates and when Hyatt approves the claim, my reservation has never had the non-refundable terms. I asked about this once and was told that they create standard reservations that follow the hotel's cancellation policy.
And to reiterate pclee's point, you don't have to book a hotel first. This works for new reservations as well.
And to reiterate pclee's point, you don't have to book a hotel first. This works for new reservations as well.
. Grand Hyatt New York $350
Final rate--$223.20 by matching to priceline.com
Jan 5, 2012, 7:40 am
#94
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
Congrats!! I assume you mean for priceline it's not the "name your own price" option since that is opaque (you don't know the name of the hotel until after you pay).
Jan 5, 2012, 10:26 pm
#95
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: SPG Plat, Hyatt DIA, Delta Million, USAir Silver
Posts: 28
Very positive experience w/ Hyatt BRG
I use a browser plug-in called "DropDown Deals" that is a little annoying sometimes. But it just saved $300++, so I won't uninstall it just yet.
Hyatt Regency Tampa, 2 rooms, 2 nights and Hyatt.com was $189 / night + tax. Room77.com re-directs to dhr.com, and that site (sorta like Kayak) says $159++ with same T's and C's is the rate.
So, 10 minutes later with Hyatt BRG, and boom. They take 20% off of the $159 ($125+ tax), and I've got four room nights at the Hyatt Regency, each for less than a.Hampton or Courtyard.
Thanks Hyatt! And Room 77 / DHR.com.
How nice would it be if all BRG calls were this simple. Hilton, SPG --> I'm thinking you could learn from this...
Hyatt Regency Tampa, 2 rooms, 2 nights and Hyatt.com was $189 / night + tax. Room77.com re-directs to dhr.com, and that site (sorta like Kayak) says $159++ with same T's and C's is the rate.
So, 10 minutes later with Hyatt BRG, and boom. They take 20% off of the $159 ($125+ tax), and I've got four room nights at the Hyatt Regency, each for less than a.Hampton or Courtyard.
Thanks Hyatt! And Room 77 / DHR.com.
How nice would it be if all BRG calls were this simple. Hilton, SPG --> I'm thinking you could learn from this...
Jan 6, 2012, 12:54 am
#96
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: Hilton Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 5
Jan 6, 2012, 8:47 am
#97
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 943
Jan 6, 2012, 1:52 pm
#98
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: AAdvantage, Hilton Honors Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Delta Skymiles, US Airways Dividend Miles
Posts: 21
Success story
Booked the hyatt coconut point in bonita springs, florida.
The going rate on the hyatt website (AAA, mind you) was $269 per night before taxes and fees.... I found it on American Airlines' website (publicly-accessible) for $166 before tax.
I called hyatt and spoke to a nice woman (who didnt know I was a diamond member) who got things straightened out for me. I was on hold about 20-ish minutes, but ultimately got the hotel for $133 per night
I was skeptical but I guess it never hurts to try!
The going rate on the hyatt website (AAA, mind you) was $269 per night before taxes and fees.... I found it on American Airlines' website (publicly-accessible) for $166 before tax.
I called hyatt and spoke to a nice woman (who didnt know I was a diamond member) who got things straightened out for me. I was on hold about 20-ish minutes, but ultimately got the hotel for $133 per night
I was skeptical but I guess it never hurts to try!
Jan 7, 2012, 9:43 am
#99
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,363
How did you get around this?
Jan 7, 2012, 10:19 am
#100
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
IMO where they're getting you is the fact HotelTravel requires you to create a password when you go through the steps of making a routine booking. To a lot of people that signifies "joining" some sort of club or membership. But you're right in that it's a free membership and the rate is publicly available to anyone. This is probably one of those scenarios where two people can have two different experiences (one positive, one negative) when using HotelTravel for a BRG claim w/Hyatt. It's merely the luck of the draw depending on who takes your call. Sad, but true.
Jan 7, 2012, 1:28 pm
#101
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,363
I found the same rate at olotels.com (that hoteltravel.com had) but this site uses Euros to display the final rate. In the end, I did get the BRG but the exchange rate used by Hyatt to convert to USD was so poor that I only saved about 1 percent rather than 20 percent. However the olotels.com was > $100 cheaper per night than hyatt.com so I am OK with the end result since I will get stay credit, can likely use a Diamond Suite upgrade since my rate shows as "Hyatt Daily Rate", and the reservation is cancellable if needed.
I did a second BRG on a different hotel using dhr.com and that one went smoothly. Within 15 minutes, the BRG was approved and booked.
Jan 29, 2012, 1:34 pm
#103
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: LH SEN, SPG Gold(SCI Gold), Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 5,451
Just tried another BRG claim and Hyatt refused it, based on the fact that the booking on hyatt.com was only possible with the guaranteed availability - cannot find a base for this in the T&Cs.
Was this correct?
Was this correct?
Jan 31, 2012, 12:03 am
#104
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 246
My first time with BRG
After 1.5hrs fighting with Hyatt, I finally got what I wanted
I want to go to NYC for a broadway show this weekend for my birthday, Andaz Wall Street AAA rate is $225. Public rate is $250.
After spending almost an hour on the phone:
hoteltravel.com ($135++) DENIED. Reason: account needed
Innstant.com ($177 a/i) DENIED. Reason: T&C said credit card is not charged instantly
Expedia.com, getaroom.com, dhr.com all have regular rate so no go.
Supervisor wouldn't do anything. She called the hotel to see if they would honor the rate from innstant.com. DENIED
I almost gave up until aa.com came to rescue Their rate is $132++. Another call to Hyatt and I scored my first ever BRG. With 20% off my rate is $105++. Cannot beat that
Keep fighting till you get what you want ^
I want to go to NYC for a broadway show this weekend for my birthday, Andaz Wall Street AAA rate is $225. Public rate is $250.
After spending almost an hour on the phone:
hoteltravel.com ($135++) DENIED. Reason: account needed
Innstant.com ($177 a/i) DENIED. Reason: T&C said credit card is not charged instantly
Expedia.com, getaroom.com, dhr.com all have regular rate so no go.
Supervisor wouldn't do anything. She called the hotel to see if they would honor the rate from innstant.com. DENIED
I almost gave up until aa.com came to rescue
Their rate is $132++. Another call to Hyatt and I scored my first ever BRG. With 20% off my rate is $105++. Cannot beat that Keep fighting till you get what you want ^
Last edited by harry0233; Feb 2, 2012 at 12:50 am Reason: Typo
Jan 31, 2012, 10:31 am
#105
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 958
After 1.5hrs fighting with Hyatt, I finally got what I wanted
I want to go to NYC for a broadway show this weekend for my birthday, Andaz Wall Street AAA rate is $225. Public rate is $250.
After spending almost an hour on the phone:
hoteltravel.com ($135++) DENIED. Reason: account needed
Innstant.com ($177 a/i) DENIED. Reason: T&C said credit card is not charged instantly
Expedia.com, getaroom.com, dhr.com all have regular rate so no go.
Supervisor wouldn't do anything. She called the hotel to see if they would honor the rate from innstant.com. DENIED
I almost gave up until aa.com came to rescue Their rate is $132++. Another call to Hyatt and I scored my first ever BRG. With 20% off my rate is $105++. Cannot beat that
Keep fighting till you get want you want ^
I want to go to NYC for a broadway show this weekend for my birthday, Andaz Wall Street AAA rate is $225. Public rate is $250.
After spending almost an hour on the phone:
hoteltravel.com ($135++) DENIED. Reason: account needed
Innstant.com ($177 a/i) DENIED. Reason: T&C said credit card is not charged instantly
Expedia.com, getaroom.com, dhr.com all have regular rate so no go.
Supervisor wouldn't do anything. She called the hotel to see if they would honor the rate from innstant.com. DENIED
I almost gave up until aa.com came to rescue
Their rate is $132++. Another call to Hyatt and I scored my first ever BRG. With 20% off my rate is $105++. Cannot beat that Keep fighting till you get want you want ^