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
Nov 15, 2011, 3:36 pm
#811
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
I first mentioned this issue in post #671 on the 31st of Oct.
I again mentioned this issue, quoting the exact page URL and quoting verbatim from the page that show non-24hr numbers in BOLD in message #759 on the 8th of Nov.
That page is still showing that no geographical area has 24 hr numbers. This was in fact the very page you pointed us towards in post #750 as having "All The Right Numbers". They may or may not be the right numbers, but they definitely do NOT have the right times. I am surprised that as you used the page as your definitive source, it wasn't first one that you confirmed the accuracy of, in relation to the times of operation.
This is at the point of being comedic.
Last edited by tangey; Nov 16, 2011 at 10:01 am
Nov 15, 2011, 5:48 pm
#812
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
WTH? as soon as I booked a refundable suite (king bed) on IHG, all the availability of that type of room are gone from the IHG site for that date. i.e. searching in IHG no longer yield any suite (king bed for 2 adults 1 kid). Expedia.com still shows these suites for a much lower price. I am calling them to do a BRG.
Nov 15, 2011, 11:10 pm
#814
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: The Golden status boy
Posts: 854
The hammer finally fell on me tonight. Had a valid claim that was accepted on 9/28/11 and just received the "Due to technical difficulty, we will have to pay you back" email. I spent 30 minutes on the phone pleading my case. It's getting escalated to a manager...which means I'll never hear back from them again. The explanation is that it's a glitch with the hotel. Apparently, this glitch will take 5 months to fix as I'm not scheduled to arrive at the IC Rome until April 2012.
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
Nov 15, 2011, 11:49 pm
#815
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Expat in SIN
Programs: UA Plat, TK Gold, *G
Posts: 1,452
The hammer finally fell on me tonight. Had a valid claim that was accepted on 9/28/11 and just received the "Due to technical difficulty, we will have to pay you back" email. I spent 30 minutes on the phone pleading my case. It's getting escalated to a manager...which means I'll never hear back from them again. The explanation is that it's a glitch with the hotel. Apparently, this glitch will take 5 months to fix as I'm not scheduled to arrive at the IC Rome until April 2012.
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
And yes, the Radisson Blu Rome seems to have many negative reviews online. Even with the 80 EUR rate (including breakfast), I am still not going to go there.
Nov 16, 2011, 3:39 am
#816
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
"Technical glitch"
This is just deliberately false info, and I know this, because I have been personal told on the phone by a sernior case manager that the Hotel is refusing to adjust rates (and even refused to acknowledge his emails !). We have also been told on here by IHG personnel that some hotels are refusing to adjust. It has NOTHING to do with technology, and all to do with IHG corporates inability to get its sub-serveant hotels to do what they are told.
My IC rome stay is in July, BRG matched in Oct.
I suggest that if you are not going ahead with your stay, then you leave it to the last minute of time that you can cancel your reservation. At least that'll almost guarantee they won't get any revenue from the room (who books a penthouse at the last minute ?)
This is just deliberately false info, and I know this, because I have been personal told on the phone by a sernior case manager that the Hotel is refusing to adjust rates (and even refused to acknowledge his emails !). We have also been told on here by IHG personnel that some hotels are refusing to adjust. It has NOTHING to do with technology, and all to do with IHG corporates inability to get its sub-serveant hotels to do what they are told.
My IC rome stay is in July, BRG matched in Oct.
I suggest that if you are not going ahead with your stay, then you leave it to the last minute of time that you can cancel your reservation. At least that'll almost guarantee they won't get any revenue from the room (who books a penthouse at the last minute ?)
Nov 16, 2011, 6:06 am
#817
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: New York, NY
Programs: The Golden status boy
Posts: 854
So you are gonna give up the Penthouse Suite? I am still going and prepared to have a pissing war with IHG to get my money back (I hope that it wont come to this).
And yes, the Radisson Blu Rome seems to have many negative reviews online. Even with the 80 EUR rate (including breakfast), I am still not going to go there.
And yes, the Radisson Blu Rome seems to have many negative reviews online. Even with the 80 EUR rate (including breakfast), I am still not going to go there.
I'll be the first to sing their praises if they recant and deliver. I just don't understand why I have to jump through a lot of hoops for such a simple proposition. My part in this should be done until check-in.
Nov 16, 2011, 7:08 am
#818
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Is there any chance to get a BRG verified by the BRG team for the following situation:
At ihg.com - Standard room with breakfast
At a 3-rd site - Double room with breakfast
In my opionion it's the same, but I think this will not be valid due to the T&C of IHG. What do you think about this? Is there any chance? Or do you have same and get a valid BRG?
At ihg.com - Standard room with breakfast
At a 3-rd site - Double room with breakfast
In my opionion it's the same, but I think this will not be valid due to the T&C of IHG. What do you think about this? Is there any chance? Or do you have same and get a valid BRG?
Nov 16, 2011, 7:19 am
#819
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Is there any chance to get a BRG verified by the BRG team for the following situation:
At ihg.com - Standard room with breakfast
At a 3-rd site - Double room with breakfast
In my opionion it's the same, but I think this will not be valid due to the T&C of IHG. What do you think about this? Is there any chance? Or do you have same and get a valid BRG?
At ihg.com - Standard room with breakfast
At a 3-rd site - Double room with breakfast
In my opionion it's the same, but I think this will not be valid due to the T&C of IHG. What do you think about this? Is there any chance? Or do you have same and get a valid BRG?
I've had a sucessful claim when IHG had "Standard Room" and 3rd party had "Standard Double Room" and "standard Twin Room" as two separate room types. Definition on IHG for "standard room" was hotel would try to accomodate your request as best as possible at time of checkin.
I (and apparently BRG) viewed it as a match based on the fact that the difference in room determination was in favour of the 3rd party site.
Nov 16, 2011, 7:27 am
#820
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
A follow-up to my successful claim for HI, Belfast. On receipt of the email from the hotel, I noticed they insert "COMP ROOM ONLY", when the claim was for a breakfast rate. I advised BRG dept. Today, a few days later, I received an email for BRG confirming that they had dealt wth the issue.
Interesting, my booking which previously had turned into "phone for details" is now viewable again. Rate type says "book early and save with breakfast", Rate rules says "advanced purchase required", but now has "NULL" after it, and under special request it says "PRICE GUARANTEE3902/11NOV2011/XXXXXXXX Rate Adjusted to FREE Night"
(XXXXXX being my claim number).
So a good result here.
Interesting, my booking which previously had turned into "phone for details" is now viewable again. Rate type says "book early and save with breakfast", Rate rules says "advanced purchase required", but now has "NULL" after it, and under special request it says "PRICE GUARANTEE3902/11NOV2011/XXXXXXXX Rate Adjusted to FREE Night"
(XXXXXX being my claim number).
So a good result here.
Nov 16, 2011, 9:06 am
#821
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
The hammer finally fell on me tonight. Had a valid claim that was accepted on 9/28/11 and just received the "Due to technical difficulty, we will have to pay you back" email. I spent 30 minutes on the phone pleading my case. It's getting escalated to a manager...which means I'll never hear back from them again. The explanation is that it's a glitch with the hotel. Apparently, this glitch will take 5 months to fix as I'm not scheduled to arrive at the IC Rome until April 2012.
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
We splurged in a lot of areas with the hotel savings and now we're stuck. I have 2 emails from CSR telling me in no uncertain terms that my night will be free. Guess I'll have to rely on the Carlson promo to come through, though the Radisson Blu doesn't look nearly as nice.
IHG offered a challenge, I accepted, I won and they welched. Perhaps it's time to change the T&C of the Best Rebate Guarantee program another time
What a joke...
I, too, was given the "technical glitch" excuse. It's too bad they can't raise the bar a little in the truth and ethics department and be a little more genuine with their explanations...
Nov 16, 2011, 9:52 am
#822
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
Oh, I'm going to fight it tooth and nail. But I'd be wise to have a backup plan just in case. My ideal scenario, sans IHG following through with the Guarantee as promised, is for IHG to front me the money. If they want to prepay the reservation with the hotel for me, I'm good with that. But I know that's not going to happen.
Nov 16, 2011, 11:21 am
#823
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: CGN
Programs: ALL MAJOR FFP AND FSP
Posts: 321
Anyone thought of using a credit card charge back on already approved BRG bookings with hotel refusing to adjust the rate (i.e. following IHG's policy)?
If we have written confirmation from BRG dept. that the night will be complimentary (or do they actually send this email before the hotel actually adjusts the rate?), if we get charged at the hotel, we can file a dispute with the credit card issuer supplying evidence from BRG.
Amex Platinum comes to my mind first as those who would accept and handle these types of disputes in reasonable manners.
Thoughts?
If we have written confirmation from BRG dept. that the night will be complimentary (or do they actually send this email before the hotel actually adjusts the rate?), if we get charged at the hotel, we can file a dispute with the credit card issuer supplying evidence from BRG.
Amex Platinum comes to my mind first as those who would accept and handle these types of disputes in reasonable manners.
Thoughts?
Nov 16, 2011, 11:31 am
#824
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
Anyone thought of using a credit card charge back on already approved BRG bookings with hotel refusing to adjust the rate (i.e. following IHG's policy)?
If we have written confirmation from BRG dept. that the night will be complimentary (or do they actually send this email before the hotel actually adjusts the rate?), if we get charged at the hotel, we can file a dispute with the credit card issuer supplying evidence from BRG.
Amex Platinum comes to my mind first as those who would accept and handle these types of disputes in reasonable manners.
Thoughts?
If we have written confirmation from BRG dept. that the night will be complimentary (or do they actually send this email before the hotel actually adjusts the rate?), if we get charged at the hotel, we can file a dispute with the credit card issuer supplying evidence from BRG.
Amex Platinum comes to my mind first as those who would accept and handle these types of disputes in reasonable manners.
Thoughts?
Nov 16, 2011, 12:48 pm
#825
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: MUC
Programs: LH Sen, HH Diamond, IC RA
Posts: 313
BRG Claim confirmed, but room not available...
I have a confirmed BRG claim for the IC Rome Penthouse suite , best flexible rate,
now i got an email by the hotel, that due to technical problems the penthouse suite is sold out and that they offer me the next lower room category (Executive Suite with terrace) at a discounted rate ( see email below).
So it seems that the IC Rome is not willing to adjust the rate as complimentary.
On one hand I have a valid claim on the other hand there is the IHG Booking guarantee:
Booking on PriorityClub.com is the best way to guarantee your room. If for any reason your reservation cannot be honored, Priority Club Rewards will provide you with a room and transportation to another convenient and comparable hotel. And, we’ll pay for the full cost of the first night’s lodging price, plus tax. Any advance deposit will be refunded to you.
Any suggestions how to react? Anyone of you have experience with the booking guarantee?
Here are the Emails I got from IHG and from the Hotel:
Dear XXX
Greetings from IHG’s Best Price Guarantee Support Desk. Please accept our apologies, but due to some technical difficulty, we were unable to adjust your reservation to reflect your free night on 13 APRIL 2012 at the InterContinental De La Ville Roma.
In order to fulfill the BPG promise of providing the first night free for reservation number XXX , we will reimburse the amount you paid via check which you can expect to receive in 4 - 6 weeks. Please provide us your complete mailing address where you would like your check to be sent. Again, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause you.
Sincerely,
XXX
Best Price Guarantee
Guest Relations
InterContinental Hotels Group
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear XXX
The reason for my call was that, unfortunately due to technical reasons the Penthouse suite you have booked for April 13/14 2012 is actually not available. We have a total of two Penthouse suites and both have been already booked for the dates of your stay. Therefore, I regret to inform you that we are unable to confirm the Penthouse suite for your stay.
However, as an alternative I have assigned our Executive suite with Terrace and city views (the next suite just below the Penthouse suite category). This suite consists of one bedroom with a corner sitting room, a large terrace with spectacular city views. Normally, the rate for this suite is Euro 1650.00 daily, 10% tax to be added.
Due to the inconvenience caused, we are pleased to confirm this suite at the daily rate of Euro 1,000.00 daily, inclusive of american buffet breakfast for two. 10% tax to be added . Please note, due to your Royal Ambassador status, we have provided a lower rate than our normal Suite with separate sitting room rate.
Rates are excluding the city tax of Euro 3.00 per person per day.
All other details remain as orginally booked.
Looking forward to receiving your acknowledgement.
Once again, please accept our sincere apologies.
Yours sincerely,
XXX
Reservation Manager
now i got an email by the hotel, that due to technical problems the penthouse suite is sold out and that they offer me the next lower room category (Executive Suite with terrace) at a discounted rate ( see email below).
So it seems that the IC Rome is not willing to adjust the rate as complimentary.
On one hand I have a valid claim on the other hand there is the IHG Booking guarantee:
Booking on PriorityClub.com is the best way to guarantee your room. If for any reason your reservation cannot be honored, Priority Club Rewards will provide you with a room and transportation to another convenient and comparable hotel. And, we’ll pay for the full cost of the first night’s lodging price, plus tax. Any advance deposit will be refunded to you.
Any suggestions how to react? Anyone of you have experience with the booking guarantee?
Here are the Emails I got from IHG and from the Hotel:
Dear XXX
Greetings from IHG’s Best Price Guarantee Support Desk. Please accept our apologies, but due to some technical difficulty, we were unable to adjust your reservation to reflect your free night on 13 APRIL 2012 at the InterContinental De La Ville Roma.
In order to fulfill the BPG promise of providing the first night free for reservation number XXX , we will reimburse the amount you paid via check which you can expect to receive in 4 - 6 weeks. Please provide us your complete mailing address where you would like your check to be sent. Again, please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this may cause you.
Sincerely,
XXX
Best Price Guarantee
Guest Relations
InterContinental Hotels Group
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear XXX
The reason for my call was that, unfortunately due to technical reasons the Penthouse suite you have booked for April 13/14 2012 is actually not available. We have a total of two Penthouse suites and both have been already booked for the dates of your stay. Therefore, I regret to inform you that we are unable to confirm the Penthouse suite for your stay.
However, as an alternative I have assigned our Executive suite with Terrace and city views (the next suite just below the Penthouse suite category). This suite consists of one bedroom with a corner sitting room, a large terrace with spectacular city views. Normally, the rate for this suite is Euro 1650.00 daily, 10% tax to be added.
Due to the inconvenience caused, we are pleased to confirm this suite at the daily rate of Euro 1,000.00 daily, inclusive of american buffet breakfast for two. 10% tax to be added . Please note, due to your Royal Ambassador status, we have provided a lower rate than our normal Suite with separate sitting room rate.
Rates are excluding the city tax of Euro 3.00 per person per day.
All other details remain as orginally booked.
Looking forward to receiving your acknowledgement.
Once again, please accept our sincere apologies.
Yours sincerely,
XXX
Reservation Manager
