Jul 8, 13, 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 19, 14, 4:46 pm
#5896
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: CGN
Posts: 97
I need some help for my first BRG. HI Grand Canyon Village, sells for $200+ a night. The hotel seems to be almost sold out as no US OTA is selling a room. I only found two cheaper rates, unfortunately they don't bill in $. Any help is appreciated, PM's are also welcome !
May 19, 14, 5:24 pm
#5897
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA
Posts: 70
Just had a successful claim after waiting 48 hours and sending a follow-up email. Rate adjustments seem to be taking a very long time as well.
At least the responses I've ultimately received are courteous and fair.
At least the responses I've ultimately received are courteous and fair.
May 19, 14, 6:55 pm
#5898
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: VA WP, NZ *A SG
Posts: 528
Hoping for some assistance for my first IHG BRG.
IHG website has 1 Queen Room, fully refundable, no deposit required for high price
OTA has 1 Double Room, fully refundable, payment required up front for lower price (10% less).
I recognise the advantage is that the IHG price is refundable, so I can book it and then try and claim the BRG (and cancel it if the claim is rejected).
I don't think the room discrepancy is an issue as the property only has Queen Rooms (i.e. Double and Queen are the same thing).
My concern is the deposit vs upfront payment required. Will the claim be rejected if the OTA requires upfront payment yet the IHG requires no deposit?
Thanks
IHG website has 1 Queen Room, fully refundable, no deposit required for high price
OTA has 1 Double Room, fully refundable, payment required up front for lower price (10% less).
I recognise the advantage is that the IHG price is refundable, so I can book it and then try and claim the BRG (and cancel it if the claim is rejected).
I don't think the room discrepancy is an issue as the property only has Queen Rooms (i.e. Double and Queen are the same thing).
My concern is the deposit vs upfront payment required. Will the claim be rejected if the OTA requires upfront payment yet the IHG requires no deposit?
Thanks
May 20, 14, 1:02 am
#5899
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 826
Originally Posted by SirAlfonso
It is a risk, as on the 'free night' confirmation email they do specify the same card used to reserve the room, should be the one used for payment on check out.
Upon check out, ANY form of payment can be used.
May 20, 14, 1:04 am
#5900
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,452
Originally Posted by smit0847
Hoping for some assistance for my first IHG BRG.
IHG website has 1 Queen Room, fully refundable, no deposit required for high price
OTA has 1 Double Room, fully refundable, payment required up front for lower price (10% less).
I recognise the advantage is that the IHG price is refundable, so I can book it and then try and claim the BRG (and cancel it if the claim is rejected).
I don't think the room discrepancy is an issue as the property only has Queen Rooms (i.e. Double and Queen are the same thing).
My concern is the deposit vs upfront payment required. Will the claim be rejected if the OTA requires upfront payment yet the IHG requires no deposit?
Thanks
IHG website has 1 Queen Room, fully refundable, no deposit required for high price
OTA has 1 Double Room, fully refundable, payment required up front for lower price (10% less).
I recognise the advantage is that the IHG price is refundable, so I can book it and then try and claim the BRG (and cancel it if the claim is rejected).
I don't think the room discrepancy is an issue as the property only has Queen Rooms (i.e. Double and Queen are the same thing).
My concern is the deposit vs upfront payment required. Will the claim be rejected if the OTA requires upfront payment yet the IHG requires no deposit?
Thanks
May 20, 14, 2:52 am
#5901
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,722
Originally Posted by mitpat474
Technically yes its invalid, but its worth a try and personally I think it will work.
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
May 20, 14, 3:01 am
#5902
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,452
Originally Posted by tangey
I'm assuming there is no non-refundable cheaper IHG rate.
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
May 20, 14, 3:13 am
#5903
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 17,892
Originally Posted by tangey
I'm assuming there is no non-refundable cheaper IHG rate.
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
May 20, 14, 8:59 am
#5904
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,722
Originally Posted by NickB
Does not matter as long as you compare like for like (viz. refundable vs refundable or non-refundable vs non-refundable) or the IHG conditions are more restrictive than the OTA's.
I mis-read the question up above, I was assuming he was comparing Best flex V non-refundable, whereas he is comparing best flex V's an immediate payment refundable rate from an OTA.
OP needs to also ensure the cancellation cut-off times are the same.
May 20, 14, 10:44 am
#5905
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 449
Originally Posted by NickB
Quote:
Originally Posted by tangey
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
There is always the possibility of getting lucky if the agent does not pay enough attention but, ime, these claims are routinely rejected.
Originally Posted by tangey
Are you finding regular acceptance of BRG claims where the IHG rate is refundable, but 3rd party isn't ?
There is always the possibility of getting lucky if the agent does not pay enough attention but, ime, these claims are routinely rejected.
I have never BRG in this situation, so I am interested in knowing others experiences in this. If IHG no longer have the AP rate available, providing everything else matches the terms, (apart from the cancellation terms) isn't in theory one can BRG IHG Flex rate vs 3rd party non-refundable rate? Or do people find it depends on the agent? Thanks
May 20, 14, 11:48 am
#5906
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 17
"we were able to find out that the lower rate you were claiming is listed and available. However, please note that you have booked a flexible rate where it is possible to cancel the reservation without penalty before 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on Thursday, 3 July, 2014. On the other hand, the third-party website only allows free cancellation up to 6:00PM on July 2, 2014 (local hotel time). Please be advised that this would make the lower rate being claimed more restrictive than the reservation you have booked and as such we are unable to compare the two rates for the purpose of the guarantee."
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
May 20, 14, 11:49 am
#5907
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 3
Originally Posted by FlyingHigh20
This is absolutely FALSE. Nowhere, does it mention this. All it states is that the credit card used to reserve the room must be in good standing if the hotel should try to run a preauthorization charge on it.
Upon check out, ANY form of payment can be used.
Upon check out, ANY form of payment can be used.
May 20, 14, 12:44 pm
#5908
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: TK Elite Plus, IC Plat Ambassador, HH Diamond
Posts: 846
non-smoking vs no reference
The hotel I am looking at is a non-smoking hotel, all rooms are non-smoking. The OTA website prices are less than IHG but without "non-smoking" in the room description, however the OTA also has rooms with "non-smoking" in the description but at prices equal to IHG.
Would IHG have grounds to deny a BRG on this basis that "non-smoking" is not included in the room description?
Thanks,
Would IHG have grounds to deny a BRG on this basis that "non-smoking" is not included in the room description?
Thanks,
May 20, 14, 12:47 pm
#5909
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,452
Originally Posted by tofuavecfa
"we were able to find out that the lower rate you were claiming is listed and available. However, please note that you have booked a flexible rate where it is possible to cancel the reservation without penalty before 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on Thursday, 3 July, 2014. On the other hand, the third-party website only allows free cancellation up to 6:00PM on July 2, 2014 (local hotel time). Please be advised that this would make the lower rate being claimed more restrictive than the reservation you have booked and as such we are unable to compare the two rates for the purpose of the guarantee."
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
May 20, 14, 2:30 pm
#5910
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,070
Originally Posted by tofuavecfa
"we were able to find out that the lower rate you were claiming is listed and available. However, please note that you have booked a flexible rate where it is possible to cancel the reservation without penalty before 6:00 PM (local hotel time) on Thursday, 3 July, 2014. On the other hand, the third-party website only allows free cancellation up to 6:00PM on July 2, 2014 (local hotel time). Please be advised that this would make the lower rate being claimed more restrictive than the reservation you have booked and as such we are unable to compare the two rates for the purpose of the guarantee."
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
super lame. there's a non-refundable rate that's also cheaper on the other site, but don't feel like taking that chance since they seem to try pretty hard to find any reason to not approve it. also, waited 36 hrs, no response, so sent a follow up email. reply received within a few hours.
