Apr 17, 17, 8:50 am
Last edit by: FLYGVA
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
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
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
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
New IHG Best Rate Guarantee - Discussion & Feedback from January 2016
Jan 5, 16, 2:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 281
Alright - here's a question. I know the currency has to be billed the same, but does it have to display the same? I found a rate from an agency for a hotel that will only show in USD/EUR/other major currencies, but it shows on booking page that payment will be made using (local currency). IHG website shows in (local currency). Does this work for IHG claims?
Verbiage from T&C states that:
"6. b. Matching Prices - Currency Requirements. The currency of the hotel controls the comparison with the room price and the total room cost on the non-IHG website, and the room price and the total room cost on the non-IHG website must be available, viewable, quoted, booked, and paid for in the currency of the hotel."
So it's not enough that the competing site books at the local currency, it must also display in the same currency.
This BRG is pretty tricked out. I thought the point was that you were supposed to trust IHG to provide the lowest rates overall. Don't really see why this logically should be an invalidating factor, but oh well. It's their call.
Jan 5, 16, 5:59 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,817
Overall, though, it's hard for me to complain with over 20 confirmed BRGs in 2015 - mostly at relatively high-value ($250+/night USD) IHG properties.
-FlyerBeek
Jan 5, 16, 10:33 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, United Premier Silver
Posts: 188
In my experience, this will not work and will lead to a rejection of the BRG request. Per IHG's BRG T&Cs, the lower rate must be "compared with the IHG hotel's lowest available rate on IHG websites." By adding a breakfast option on the IHG webpage, you're no longer comparing with the lowest available IHG rate. YMMV, but I've personally tried and have not had success with this scenario.
-FlyerBeek
-FlyerBeek
So what you are saying is, if I add a breakfast package to the IHG rate, then compare it, I will lose. If I don't add the breakfast package, I will also likely lose because the IHG rate has no breakfast while the 3rd party site has breakfast?
Am I missing anything here? SPG's BRG is so easy while the IHG version seems like harder than learning arabic
Jan 6, 16, 3:28 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,817
Hi FlyerBeek, so I have a dilemma, found a breakfast non-cancellable rate on 3rd party site, which beats the lowest available IHG rate (also non-cancellable but no breakfast).
So what you are saying is, if I add a breakfast package to the IHG rate, then compare it, I will lose. If I don't add the breakfast package, I will also likely lose because the IHG rate has no breakfast while the 3rd party site has breakfast?
Am I missing anything here? SPG's BRG is so easy while the IHG version seems like harder than learning arabic
So what you are saying is, if I add a breakfast package to the IHG rate, then compare it, I will lose. If I don't add the breakfast package, I will also likely lose because the IHG rate has no breakfast while the 3rd party site has breakfast?
Am I missing anything here? SPG's BRG is so easy while the IHG version seems like harder than learning arabic
While I also find IHG's BRG program among the more difficult ones across the major chains, it is also the most lucrative. Once you've made enough successful BRG claims, you tend to get a feel for what works well for you personally, which helps to provide a higher overall success rate.
-FlyerBeek
Jan 6, 16, 3:58 am
#20
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,852
Hi FlyerBeek, so I have a dilemma, found a breakfast non-cancellable rate on 3rd party site, which beats the lowest available IHG rate (also non-cancellable but no breakfast).
So what you are saying is, if I add a breakfast package to the IHG rate, then compare it, I will lose. If I don't add the breakfast package, I will also likely lose because the IHG rate has no breakfast while the 3rd party site has breakfast?
Am I missing anything here? SPG's BRG is so easy while the IHG version seems like harder than learning arabic
So what you are saying is, if I add a breakfast package to the IHG rate, then compare it, I will lose. If I don't add the breakfast package, I will also likely lose because the IHG rate has no breakfast while the 3rd party site has breakfast?
Am I missing anything here? SPG's BRG is so easy while the IHG version seems like harder than learning arabic
SPG is definitely far easier, but with odd exceptions, you're only saving a few dozen percent - not getting a completely free room - so they have no need to be as picky about it.
Jan 6, 16, 11:06 am
#21
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,639
Trying this out for the first time but I'm having some trouble finding the exact same conditions. It is for a US hotel and all the cancellable rates I am seeing (have tried the usual suspects plus some very obscure sites) have a 6pm cancellation but 2 days prior rather than the 1 that IHG offers. Would anyone be so kind as to PM me a good site for cheap US comparisons? Or tell me what I am doing wrong?
Also, do I have to choose standard room (i.e. the cheapest room on the IHG site) or can I choose any bed config as long as it matches the one on the res I make at IHG (i.e. king)?
Also, do I have to choose standard room (i.e. the cheapest room on the IHG site) or can I choose any bed config as long as it matches the one on the res I make at IHG (i.e. king)?
Jan 6, 16, 11:48 am
#22
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, United Premier Silver
Posts: 188
Never book an IHG non-cancelable rate if your goal is a BRG. You are guaranteed to lose. Only book one if you're planning to stay and just feel like giving it a try.
SPG is definitely far easier, but with odd exceptions, you're only saving a few dozen percent - not getting a completely free room - so they have no need to be as picky about it.
SPG is definitely far easier, but with odd exceptions, you're only saving a few dozen percent - not getting a completely free room - so they have no need to be as picky about it.
I find the cancellable rates are almost impossible to BRG because no other 3rd party OTA offers that 4pm day of stay cancellation policy and IHG seems to be quite strict on same cancellation terms. Sigh...
Jan 6, 16, 2:56 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: U.K.
Programs: QR P; HH D; IHG SpAmb
Posts: 728
Jan 7, 16, 8:37 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 23
"At all IHG hotels globally, pre-paid rates on non-IHG sites will be compared with the IHG hotel's lowest available rate on IHG websites. "
Does it mean if i find a lower pre-paid rate on a non-IHG site, it will be compared with the IHG hotel lowest available rate regardless of the room and the terms and conditions? e.g rival site has room with breakfast (pre-paid) which has a lower rate than lowest rate on ihg site (best available rate, no breakfast)
Does it mean if i find a lower pre-paid rate on a non-IHG site, it will be compared with the IHG hotel lowest available rate regardless of the room and the terms and conditions? e.g rival site has room with breakfast (pre-paid) which has a lower rate than lowest rate on ihg site (best available rate, no breakfast)
Jan 7, 16, 9:01 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 628
"At all IHG hotels globally, pre-paid rates on non-IHG sites will be compared with the IHG hotel's lowest available rate on IHG websites. "
Does it mean if i find a lower pre-paid rate on a non-IHG site, it will be compared with the IHG hotel lowest available rate regardless of the room and the terms and conditions? e.g rival site has room with breakfast (pre-paid) which has a lower rate than lowest rate on ihg site (best available rate, no breakfast)
Does it mean if i find a lower pre-paid rate on a non-IHG site, it will be compared with the IHG hotel lowest available rate regardless of the room and the terms and conditions? e.g rival site has room with breakfast (pre-paid) which has a lower rate than lowest rate on ihg site (best available rate, no breakfast)
Jan 9, 16, 9:26 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3
I just received a IHG BPG claim. I booked the room and added 2/4 of my family members actually going to the hotel as guests at the time of booking (I wont be going). I figured one of the two members who will be going can check in, and then they'll get the bpg.
I was told that the primary guest must check in for the BPG. Do they actually care? When i called IHG reservations he said it doesn't make a difference, and a chat representative told me that too..But the IHG BPG department told me it matters. Anyone have any experience on this?
I was told that the primary guest must check in for the BPG. Do they actually care? When i called IHG reservations he said it doesn't make a difference, and a chat representative told me that too..But the IHG BPG department told me it matters. Anyone have any experience on this?
Jan 9, 16, 9:34 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Grand County, Colorado
Programs: IHG Plat, HH D, UA GS, Perm BonVoyed
Posts: 2,013
My niece stayed on a BRG made using my name and IHG account in Denver this past July.
I'd say you're okay. Just call the property directly to say Mr. XYZ will be checking into my room. In my experience, hotel staff are not intimately familiar with the BRG details.
Now, in all fairness, the property she stayed at is a Holiday Inn that knows me well. I've stayed there a few dozen times.
I'd say you're okay. Just call the property directly to say Mr. XYZ will be checking into my room. In my experience, hotel staff are not intimately familiar with the BRG details.
Now, in all fairness, the property she stayed at is a Holiday Inn that knows me well. I've stayed there a few dozen times.
Jan 10, 16, 5:07 am
#30
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 628
I just received a IHG BPG claim. I booked the room and added 2/4 of my family members actually going to the hotel as guests at the time of booking (I wont be going). I figured one of the two members who will be going can check in, and then they'll get the bpg.
I was told that the primary guest must check in for the BPG. Do they actually care? When i called IHG reservations he said it doesn't make a difference, and a chat representative told me that too..But the IHG BPG department told me it matters. Anyone have any experience on this?
I was told that the primary guest must check in for the BPG. Do they actually care? When i called IHG reservations he said it doesn't make a difference, and a chat representative told me that too..But the IHG BPG department told me it matters. Anyone have any experience on this?
