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
Jan 15, 2014, 1:23 pm
#5296
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 68
Hi,
I've found a BRG as part of a trip to Poland in a couple of months. I've done BRGs before and it all looks fine, but I'm not sure about which currency is relevant here. The IC Warsaw seems to be billing in Euros (which is great for a BRG), but the HI and HIX seem to bill in Zlotys (which is obviously what I would expect in Poland), and makes me wonder if the IC also actually bills in Zlotys and the Euro price is just an IT issue or something.
Has anyone come across this sort of thing before, where a hotel charges in a different currency to the local, in relation to a BRG?
I want to put in a BRG for the IC, but don't want to find out it's ineligible due to the comparison actually needing to be in Zlotys.
Many thanks for any assistance!
I've found a BRG as part of a trip to Poland in a couple of months. I've done BRGs before and it all looks fine, but I'm not sure about which currency is relevant here. The IC Warsaw seems to be billing in Euros (which is great for a BRG), but the HI and HIX seem to bill in Zlotys (which is obviously what I would expect in Poland), and makes me wonder if the IC also actually bills in Zlotys and the Euro price is just an IT issue or something.
Has anyone come across this sort of thing before, where a hotel charges in a different currency to the local, in relation to a BRG?
I want to put in a BRG for the IC, but don't want to find out it's ineligible due to the comparison actually needing to be in Zlotys.
Many thanks for any assistance!
Jan 15, 2014, 1:42 pm
#5297
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Hi,
I've found a BRG as part of a trip to Poland in a couple of months. I've done BRGs before and it all looks fine, but I'm not sure about which currency is relevant here. The IC Warsaw seems to be billing in Euros (which is great for a BRG), but the HI and HIX seem to bill in Zlotys (which is obviously what I would expect in Poland), and makes me wonder if the IC also actually bills in Zlotys and the Euro price is just an IT issue or something.
Has anyone come across this sort of thing before, where a hotel charges in a different currency to the local, in relation to a BRG?
I want to put in a BRG for the IC, but don't want to find out it's ineligible due to the comparison actually needing to be in Zlotys.
Many thanks for any assistance!
I've found a BRG as part of a trip to Poland in a couple of months. I've done BRGs before and it all looks fine, but I'm not sure about which currency is relevant here. The IC Warsaw seems to be billing in Euros (which is great for a BRG), but the HI and HIX seem to bill in Zlotys (which is obviously what I would expect in Poland), and makes me wonder if the IC also actually bills in Zlotys and the Euro price is just an IT issue or something.
Has anyone come across this sort of thing before, where a hotel charges in a different currency to the local, in relation to a BRG?
I want to put in a BRG for the IC, but don't want to find out it's ineligible due to the comparison actually needing to be in Zlotys.
Many thanks for any assistance!
It is not unusual, for example IC Bucharest, Romania, on IHG.COM displays EUROs but by law must bill at hotel in Romanian currency (RON).
Jan 15, 2014, 2:37 pm
#5298
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 68
Thanks for that. I'm still a bit confused though, because as you say - the ota must bill in the same currency "quoted" on IHG (which I think I'm right in saying must be the currency at the final screen before booking on the ihg website?). In this case, the currency quoted by IHG is Euros (and the ota bills in euros), but I'm not certain what IHG actually bills in here (and whether this would make a difference to a brg).
In the Bucharest example, do you happen to know whether Euros or RON are billed by ihg when booking an advance nonrefundable rate?
Thanks again!
Jan 15, 2014, 3:39 pm
#5299
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
Hi Scubbacr,
Thanks for that. I'm still a bit confused though, because as you say - the ota must bill in the same currency "quoted" on IHG (which I think I'm right in saying must be the currency at the final screen before booking on the ihg website?). In this case, the currency quoted by IHG is Euros (and the ota bills in euros), but I'm not certain what IHG actually bills in here (and whether this would make a difference to a brg).
In the Bucharest example, do you happen to know whether Euros or RON are billed by ihg when booking an advance nonrefundable rate?
Thanks again!
Thanks for that. I'm still a bit confused though, because as you say - the ota must bill in the same currency "quoted" on IHG (which I think I'm right in saying must be the currency at the final screen before booking on the ihg website?). In this case, the currency quoted by IHG is Euros (and the ota bills in euros), but I'm not certain what IHG actually bills in here (and whether this would make a difference to a brg).
In the Bucharest example, do you happen to know whether Euros or RON are billed by ihg when booking an advance nonrefundable rate?
Thanks again!
For BRG purposes, only displayed currency on IHG.COM when searching and making a reservation matters when matching to an OTA currency.
PS
fyi in my IC Bucharest Example, the IC hotel charges credit cards in RON, despite the email reservation being in Euro. IC Bucharest converts eg 100Euro to 450Ron, then invoices you for 450Ron.
For Romania it is a legal requirement to bill in local RON currency. In fact I can pay (and have) bill in cash, either RON or EUROs, but after knockin nn RON off total, they will convert my Euro->RON for the remainder of the bill.
(As an aside, by Romanian Law, Hotel can only accept RON+EURO, they can't accept eg GBP, as a license is needed... found out can't use GBP cash my new year stay)
EG IHG.COM reservation in Euro, IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron, and bill my UK CC card in GBP
(I just see RON and GBP, not the Euro equivalent on my CC statement, a real pain )
eg my CC shows £105.40 (566RON at ex-rate 5.21 ) thats about 130Euro
SO.... IHG.COM reservation in Euro,
IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron for Billing, and bill RON to my UK CC card which then shows up as GBP on my CC statement Debit line below.
Fin: COMP HOTELIERA INTER R,BD ,BUCUREST 566.38 RON XR 5.217688 GBP £105.40
Last edited by scubaccr; Jan 15, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Jan 15, 2014, 5:48 pm
#5300
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 68
Doesn't matter what hotel bills your IHG.COM reservations CC card at either in advance on ADR or at hotel for flex.
For BRG purposes, only displayed currency on IHG.COM when searching and making a reservation matters when matching to an OTA currency.
PS
fyi in my IC Bucharest Example, the IC hotel charges credit cards in RON, despite the email reservation being in Euro. IC Bucharest converts eg 100Euro to 450Ron, then invoices you for 450Ron.
For Romania it is a legal requirement to bill in local RON currency. In fact I can pay (and have) bill in cash, either RON or EUROs, but after knockin nn RON off total, they will convert my Euro->RON for the remainder of the bill.
(As an aside, by Romanian Law, Hotel can only accept RON+EURO, they can't accept eg GBP, as a license is needed... found out can't use GBP cash my new year stay)
EG IHG.COM reservation in Euro, IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron, and bill my UK CC card in GBP
(I just see RON and GBP, not the Euro equivalent on my CC statement, a real pain )
eg my CC shows £105.40 (566RON at ex-rate 5.21 ) thats about 130Euro
SO.... IHG.COM reservation in Euro,
IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron for Billing, and bill RON to my UK CC card which then shows up as GBP on my CC statement Debit line below.
Fin: COMP HOTELIERA INTER R,BD ,BUCUREST 566.38 RON XR 5.217688 GBP £105.40
For BRG purposes, only displayed currency on IHG.COM when searching and making a reservation matters when matching to an OTA currency.
PS
fyi in my IC Bucharest Example, the IC hotel charges credit cards in RON, despite the email reservation being in Euro. IC Bucharest converts eg 100Euro to 450Ron, then invoices you for 450Ron.
For Romania it is a legal requirement to bill in local RON currency. In fact I can pay (and have) bill in cash, either RON or EUROs, but after knockin nn RON off total, they will convert my Euro->RON for the remainder of the bill.
(As an aside, by Romanian Law, Hotel can only accept RON+EURO, they can't accept eg GBP, as a license is needed... found out can't use GBP cash my new year stay)
EG IHG.COM reservation in Euro, IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron, and bill my UK CC card in GBP
(I just see RON and GBP, not the Euro equivalent on my CC statement, a real pain )
eg my CC shows £105.40 (566RON at ex-rate 5.21 ) thats about 130Euro
SO.... IHG.COM reservation in Euro,
IC Bucharest convert to Euro->Ron for Billing, and bill RON to my UK CC card which then shows up as GBP on my CC statement Debit line below.
Fin: COMP HOTELIERA INTER R,BD ,BUCUREST 566.38 RON XR 5.217688 GBP £105.40
Really appreciate you taking the time to explain - thanks scubaccr!
Jan 16, 2014, 4:33 am
#5301
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,673
Another data point showing that the booking sites are starting to play with the BRG department.
While in China I found a lower rate on hotels.com for the HI Golden Mile in Hong Kong. The rate was about 25% lower than the rate on IHG.
The BRG department replied (within 24 hours) with screenshots showing that hotels.com offers excactly the same rate as IHG. When I check on hotels.com, however, the rate is still much lower than on IHG.
HTB.
While in China I found a lower rate on hotels.com for the HI Golden Mile in Hong Kong. The rate was about 25% lower than the rate on IHG.
The BRG department replied (within 24 hours) with screenshots showing that hotels.com offers excactly the same rate as IHG. When I check on hotels.com, however, the rate is still much lower than on IHG.
HTB.
Jan 16, 2014, 9:21 am
#5302
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, UA, IHG, SPG, Carlson
Posts: 193
I've submitted a claim for more than 24 hours now and still no reply. I'm starting to think maybe it wasn't submitted successfully? Are you supposed to get an acknowledgement email right after you submit a claim?
Jan 16, 2014, 9:27 am
#5303
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
This is normal now. They probably will not get back to you for at least 48 hours. Don't be surprised if the response doesn't make any sense.
Jan 16, 2014, 9:30 am
#5304
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC, UA, IHG, SPG, Carlson
Posts: 193
Also, the weird thing is that, the lower rate I found for the dates I want has been on the third party site for almost forever, but since I submitted the BRG claim yesterday, today I checked the rate, it's gone, and still no reply from IHG.
I've had this happen more than once with IHG BRG. Before I was able to call and get them to check the rate immediately. Now they restricted it to email only and I can see them playing these games and stalling and fixing the third party rate and coming back to you saying sorry it's not available.
Jan 16, 2014, 9:32 am
#5305
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
So is Choice, although I don't use them much.
Jan 17, 2014, 1:48 pm
#5306
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,097
Another data point showing that the booking sites are starting to play with the BRG department.
While in China I found a lower rate on hotels.com for the HI Golden Mile in Hong Kong. The rate was about 25% lower than the rate on IHG.
The BRG department replied (within 24 hours) with screenshots showing that hotels.com offers excactly the same rate as IHG. When I check on hotels.com, however, the rate is still much lower than on IHG.
HTB.
While in China I found a lower rate on hotels.com for the HI Golden Mile in Hong Kong. The rate was about 25% lower than the rate on IHG.
The BRG department replied (within 24 hours) with screenshots showing that hotels.com offers excactly the same rate as IHG. When I check on hotels.com, however, the rate is still much lower than on IHG.
HTB.
Jan 17, 2014, 2:53 pm
#5308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
It is only better for North America. For BRG's everywhere else, Marriott claims (most of the time) that the third party will give/email you a voucher that you need to present to the hotel at the time of checking in. This invalidates the claim per T&C's.
Last edited by holtju2; Jan 18, 2014 at 1:16 am Reason: typo
Jan 18, 2014, 6:21 am
#5309
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: Starwood Platinum, AA Priority, Southwest A-list Preferred/Companion, National Car Executive Elite
Posts: 16
Hello, I'm trying to understand IHG brg. I booked the intercontinental Toronto centre on IHG.com in US dollars. I then found it on expedia for $15 cheaper. (Also in US dollars) Apparently this doesn't qualify? Even though they obviously didn't offer the best rate?