Jul 8, 2013, 11:43 am
Last edit by: FLYGVA
Recent discussion (After January 01, 2016) could be found in this thread.
Most important points to consider for a valid BRG:
1. The comparison website MUST bill in the same currency as the hotel .
2. The cancellation terms must be equal or better, than the terms by the hotels.
3. The Website needs to provide INSTANT confirmation.
4. The room names should match, but if you can demonstrate, that the room is comparable, it will also work with discrepancies in the name.
5. The price difference has to be more than either USD 1 or 1% (whichever is higher).
5.b In regards to hotels located in australia and New Zealand the price difference must be greater than 3% .
Hotels for which you will get reimbursed:
(Note: There have been significant problems with getting full reimbursements from IHG, especially for reimbursements in other currencies than USD)
IC Istanbul ( BRG claim from the 17.05.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
IC Frankfurt ( BRG claim from the 20.08.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
Link to the Terms and Conditions : https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...rms-conditions
Most important points to consider for a valid BRG:
1. The comparison website MUST bill in the same currency as the hotel .
2. The cancellation terms must be equal or better, than the terms by the hotels.
3. The Website needs to provide INSTANT confirmation.
4. The room names should match, but if you can demonstrate, that the room is comparable, it will also work with discrepancies in the name.
5. The price difference has to be more than either USD 1 or 1% (whichever is higher).
5.b In regards to hotels located in australia and New Zealand the price difference must be greater than 3% .
Hotels for which you will get reimbursed:
(Note: There have been significant problems with getting full reimbursements from IHG, especially for reimbursements in other currencies than USD)
IC Istanbul ( BRG claim from the 17.05.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
IC Frankfurt ( BRG claim from the 20.08.2013/ "Technical Difficulties")
Link to the Terms and Conditions : https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...rms-conditions
New IHG Best Rate Guarantee - Discussion & Feedback
May 2, 2013, 4:36 pm
#3616
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
I have just done everything that you talk about doing and this minute received a response. I cancelled my original approved BRG, and re-submitted for a better hotel/location. Even though I cancelled my claim, they still class it as a valid on their system and therefore are unable to approve another.
May 2, 2013, 7:35 pm
#3617
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA Gold (4 life), Delta Platinum, Starwood Gold, IC RA
Posts: 146
BRG at Alliance Hotels
Can one claim the best night guarantee rate at Alliance hotels (ie Montelucia/Venetian) when booking an advanced purchase rate.
I am about to book for July on an Advance Purchase Rate and noticed that the Expedia rate for the same hotel is significantly cheaper on a pre-paid rate for the same number of nights on the same dates. The fully refundable rate is the same. Advanced Purchase Rate difference is $97 for the first night and $96 cheaper for the other 2 nights. Wouldn't make an issue over $5-$10/night, but the difference is huge.
I am about to book for July on an Advance Purchase Rate and noticed that the Expedia rate for the same hotel is significantly cheaper on a pre-paid rate for the same number of nights on the same dates. The fully refundable rate is the same. Advanced Purchase Rate difference is $97 for the first night and $96 cheaper for the other 2 nights. Wouldn't make an issue over $5-$10/night, but the difference is huge.
May 2, 2013, 9:01 pm
#3618
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA Gold (4 life), Delta Platinum, Starwood Gold, IC RA
Posts: 146
Can one claim the best night guarantee rate at Alliance hotels (ie Montelucia/Venetian) when booking an advanced purchase rate.
I am about to book for July on an Advance Purchase Rate and noticed that the Expedia rate for the same hotel is significantly cheaper on a pre-paid rate for the same number of nights on the same dates. The fully refundable rate is the same. Advanced Purchase Rate difference is $97 for the first night and $96 cheaper for the other 2 nights. Wouldn't make an issue over $5-$10/night, but the difference is huge.
I am about to book for July on an Advance Purchase Rate and noticed that the Expedia rate for the same hotel is significantly cheaper on a pre-paid rate for the same number of nights on the same dates. The fully refundable rate is the same. Advanced Purchase Rate difference is $97 for the first night and $96 cheaper for the other 2 nights. Wouldn't make an issue over $5-$10/night, but the difference is huge.
May 3, 2013, 3:45 am
#3619
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
I have a BRG approved for a Holiday Inn. I would prefer a second location within 50 miles of that location, for that night. If I cancel the first approved BRG reservation, and then make a new reservation at the second location and submit a BRG for the second location, on the same night, will the second BRG be denied as a violation of the T&C? Any experience with this? Thank you.
Should be happy with a free night.
May 3, 2013, 6:11 am
#3621
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: UK
Programs: IHG
Posts: 1,316
As it happened, I couldn't be where I had my BRG anyway. Needed to be in another city, so it wasn't a problem for me. Not that it's got anything to do with you, of course.
May 4, 2013, 6:06 am
#3622
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
Another story:
Had a BRG approved for one night stay. Arrived at hotel to check in. Hotel had no record of BRG claim, even though a hotel supervisor had approved the claim a month before. Hotel made some calls to BRG customer service and hotel agreed to the free night. When I checked out the next morning, rate was now full fare. Showed the morning hotel staff all the documentation (again). Called hotel later that day and they said that they do not participate in the BRG. Spoke with BRG customer service and they said ALL hotels in system are required to abide by BRG. Hotel would not back down, Bottom Line: BRG customer service is sending me a check for the room and tax. Lesson learned: BRG customer service is very helpful. Of course, this would be an easy one to contest on one’s credit card, given all the documentation.
May 4, 2013, 8:13 am
#3623
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
BRG dept is part of IHG group. Hotel is NOT part of the group, it is a totally different commercial entity, and merely pays IHG for the use of the name, and for advertising and promoting the hotel. Any time I make a booking, it is the name of the hotel that charges to my credit card, not IHG.
May 4, 2013, 8:28 am
#3624
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Australia
Programs: QF, LM, AA,VA Silver, Qatar, Accor Gold, CC Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott B Plat
Posts: 535
Good that BRG dept is going to send you the money. However cc company would not be obliged to intervene. You paid the hotel to give you the room for the night, and the hotel gave you the room. It is the BRG dept that promised to make it a night free. A promise from a 3rd party can have no impact whatsoever contractual on your credit card transaction with the hotel. As I have said previously, it is like ME promising you to give you the hotel night free. How can a credit card company intervene based on the fact that *I* promised that the hotel wouldn't charge you for the hotel.
BRG dept is part of IHG group. Hotel is NOT part of the group, it is a totally different commercial entity, and merely pays IHG for the use of the name, and for advertising and promoting the hotel. Any time I make a booking, it is the name of the hotel that charges to my credit card, not IHG.
BRG dept is part of IHG group. Hotel is NOT part of the group, it is a totally different commercial entity, and merely pays IHG for the use of the name, and for advertising and promoting the hotel. Any time I make a booking, it is the name of the hotel that charges to my credit card, not IHG.
May 4, 2013, 12:17 pm
#3625
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
It is a fact that the promise of that night being a free night was made by a 3rd party (IHG) that is neither the vendor nor the purchaser in the credit card transaction.
Whether a particular cc company decides in a particular instance to refund due to goodwill or another reason, does not mean either of those two facts are incorrect, nor does it mean that they are legally obliged to do so.
May 4, 2013, 12:54 pm
#3626
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
It is a fact that the contract that you entered into is between you and the hotel. you contracted to pay the hotel a rate, and the hotel contracted to provide you with said room.
It is a fact that the promise of that night being a free night was made by a 3rd party (IHG) that is neither the vendor nor the purchaser in the credit card transaction.
Whether a particular cc company decides in a particular instance to refund due to goodwill or another reason, does not mean either of those two facts are incorrect, nor does it mean that they are legally obliged to do so.
It is a fact that the promise of that night being a free night was made by a 3rd party (IHG) that is neither the vendor nor the purchaser in the credit card transaction.
Whether a particular cc company decides in a particular instance to refund due to goodwill or another reason, does not mean either of those two facts are incorrect, nor does it mean that they are legally obliged to do so.
May 4, 2013, 2:29 pm
#3627
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,812
Yours is indeed a different situation from most, as you have some paperwork from the hotel agreeing to a change in the contract. They might of course try to weasel out by saying the paperwork wasn't changed by them. But as IHG has already agreed to pay out, you should be fine,
May 4, 2013, 3:15 pm
#3628
Join Date: Sep 2001
Programs: AA, ExPlat, DL Sil, UAL Sil, Hilt Dia, Marr Plat
Posts: 168
Yours is indeed a different situation from most, as you have some paperwork from the hotel agreeing to a change in the contract. They might of course try to weasel out by saying the paperwork wasn't changed by them. But as IHG has already agreed to pay out, you should be fine,
May 4, 2013, 4:02 pm
#3629
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 827
Absolutely NOT TRUE, and you've stated this before, but this not accurate.
The laws are quite simple and the logic simple to understand why you are incorrect. The hotels, whether or not they are owned by IHG directly, agree to abide by ALL Terms and Restrictions on IHG's site if they are listed on there and the reservation is booked through that channel, as the credit card information is entered in on that site. Your assertion that the hotel does not have to agree to the BRG would basically mean that the hotel was free reign to make up their own rules after the charge goes through...including making up their own cancellation fees, adjusting the rate as they see fit, etc. The fact of the matter is, the consumer laws are very straight forward in this matter. If the hotel receives the booking via IHG's website, they have to agree to all terms or not accept the reservation at all, just as a consumer has to agree to all terms prior to booking.
Now, if a guest were to book a hotel directly on the hotel's own website (separate from IHG's), then the hotel would have the right to decline the BRG and the credit card companies would not honor the request to invalidate the charge.
This isnt just me spouting off my own interpretation of the laws, either I had this happen several times where there was a discrepancy with my total charges versus what the hotel brand's website stated, and the credit card companies have always sided with me.
So if you find yourself in this situation, I would advise respectfully ignoring Tangey's advice, and dispute the charge. The laws are in your favor as a consumer, and with documentation, this would be an easy scenario to get resolved.
The laws are quite simple and the logic simple to understand why you are incorrect. The hotels, whether or not they are owned by IHG directly, agree to abide by ALL Terms and Restrictions on IHG's site if they are listed on there and the reservation is booked through that channel, as the credit card information is entered in on that site. Your assertion that the hotel does not have to agree to the BRG would basically mean that the hotel was free reign to make up their own rules after the charge goes through...including making up their own cancellation fees, adjusting the rate as they see fit, etc. The fact of the matter is, the consumer laws are very straight forward in this matter. If the hotel receives the booking via IHG's website, they have to agree to all terms or not accept the reservation at all, just as a consumer has to agree to all terms prior to booking.
Now, if a guest were to book a hotel directly on the hotel's own website (separate from IHG's), then the hotel would have the right to decline the BRG and the credit card companies would not honor the request to invalidate the charge.
This isnt just me spouting off my own interpretation of the laws, either I had this happen several times where there was a discrepancy with my total charges versus what the hotel brand's website stated, and the credit card companies have always sided with me.
So if you find yourself in this situation, I would advise respectfully ignoring Tangey's advice, and dispute the charge. The laws are in your favor as a consumer, and with documentation, this would be an easy scenario to get resolved.
Good that BRG dept is going to send you the money. However cc company would not be obliged to intervene. You paid the hotel to give you the room for the night, and the hotel gave you the room. It is the BRG dept that promised to make it a night free. A promise from a 3rd party can have no impact whatsoever contractual on your credit card transaction with the hotel. As I have said previously, it is like ME promising you to give you the hotel night free. How can a credit card company intervene based on the fact that *I* promised that the hotel wouldn't charge you for the hotel.
BRG dept is part of IHG group. Hotel is NOT part of the group, it is a totally different commercial entity, and merely pays IHG for the use of the name, and for advertising and promoting the hotel. Any time I make a booking, it is the name of the hotel that charges to my credit card, not IHG.
BRG dept is part of IHG group. Hotel is NOT part of the group, it is a totally different commercial entity, and merely pays IHG for the use of the name, and for advertising and promoting the hotel. Any time I make a booking, it is the name of the hotel that charges to my credit card, not IHG.
Last edited by FlyingHigh20; May 4, 2013 at 4:13 pm
May 4, 2013, 4:42 pm
#3630
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Gold, plat, diamond and more
Posts: 3,360
Absolutely NOT TRUE, and you've stated this before, but this not accurate.
The laws are quite simple and the logic simple to understand why you are incorrect. The hotels, whether or not they are owned by IHG directly, agree to abide by ALL Terms and Restrictions on IHG's site if they are listed on there and the reservation is booked through that channel, as the credit card information is entered in on that site. Your assertion that the hotel does not have to agree to the BRG would basically mean that the hotel was free reign to make up their own rules after the charge goes through...including making up their own cancellation fees, adjusting the rate as they see fit, etc. The fact of the matter is, the consumer laws are very straight forward in this matter. If the hotel receives the booking via IHG's website, they have to agree to all terms or not accept the reservation at all, just as a consumer has to agree to all terms prior to booking.
Now, if a guest were to book a hotel directly on the hotel's own website (separate from IHG's), then the hotel would have the right to decline the BRG and the credit card companies would not honor the request to invalidate the charge.
This isnt just me spouting off my own interpretation of the laws, either I had this happen several times where there was a discrepancy with my total charges versus what the hotel brand's website stated, and the credit card companies have always sided with me.
So if you find yourself in this situation, I would advise respectfully ignoring Tangey's advice, and dispute the charge. The laws are in your favor as a consumer, and with documentation, this would be an easy scenario to get resolved.
The laws are quite simple and the logic simple to understand why you are incorrect. The hotels, whether or not they are owned by IHG directly, agree to abide by ALL Terms and Restrictions on IHG's site if they are listed on there and the reservation is booked through that channel, as the credit card information is entered in on that site. Your assertion that the hotel does not have to agree to the BRG would basically mean that the hotel was free reign to make up their own rules after the charge goes through...including making up their own cancellation fees, adjusting the rate as they see fit, etc. The fact of the matter is, the consumer laws are very straight forward in this matter. If the hotel receives the booking via IHG's website, they have to agree to all terms or not accept the reservation at all, just as a consumer has to agree to all terms prior to booking.
Now, if a guest were to book a hotel directly on the hotel's own website (separate from IHG's), then the hotel would have the right to decline the BRG and the credit card companies would not honor the request to invalidate the charge.
This isnt just me spouting off my own interpretation of the laws, either I had this happen several times where there was a discrepancy with my total charges versus what the hotel brand's website stated, and the credit card companies have always sided with me.
So if you find yourself in this situation, I would advise respectfully ignoring Tangey's advice, and dispute the charge. The laws are in your favor as a consumer, and with documentation, this would be an easy scenario to get resolved.
Last edited by travelkid; May 5, 2013 at 2:56 am Reason: typo