ffj

Thank you. All seems reasonable, just time consuming. Marriott's BRG is much smoother. Hilton's is a disaster. Seems like the IC is closer to the latter than the former. In my note, I mentioned the point you raise; it appeared to be ignored.

nacho

Another hint, if you want a free night, look at all the properties in the area. The good thing about IHG is that they have a lot of hotels. I scored my Berlin one by looking at each hotel and see if I can find a best flex vs ADP. I got it - you know what their best flex rate is with 14 days cancellation policy, so any comparison rate can beat that.

I used the telephone method when they first introduced the BRG. Remember one thing though: Even if the room changed to $0 per night, the terms will still under ADP terms, i.e. no change or cancel - if you do so they are going to charge you for this!

Don't get tricked by the $0 rate = free cancellation thing. It stated very clearly in the BRG confirmation email.

Abducted Alien

Not in any circumstances.

+Best Price Guarantee:
"Please be advised that a guest must book the lowest available hotel room rate through the Best Available rate search - for the type of accommodations sought - in order to qualify for the Best Price Guarantee. As there is a lower rate available for this hotel on our website which is under the Advance Saver Rate with(AVERAGE NIGHTLY RATE USD XXX.xx) it does not initially qualify for the Best Price Guarantee.

You may still change your reservation to this rate so we can proceed with the validation of your claim. However, please know that the Advance Saver Rate is non-refundable and is non-cancelable. If your travel plans are fixed, you may decide to push through with the claim.
To modify or cancel a reservation, please visit our website,
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com
Hover your cursor to the Planning & Reservations tab
Click Manage Reservations
Enter Confirmation Number and Last Name
Click View This Reservation button
The Best Price Guarantee program, once the claim is validated, provides guests free booking for the first night of their stay. Limit one free night per name on reservation for any thirty day period between check-in dates.

Please take note that failure to change your reservation within the 24-hour time frame will automatically forfeit your claim."

lsed

Does this still work today? I once had the agent tell me 'they cannot advise until confirmation is done'
In this case hang up and try again?
But I kept getting back the same person when I tried last time (though that was months ago)

murphyUA

A few questions for some wise folk...

I had a BRG claim approved a couple days ago over the phone. I never got an email that says it was approved, but she verbally said I'd get the email in a few days to let me know if the hotel approved the complimentary night. I was also given a reference number. I assume this is how it normally works when being approved over the phone?

Secondly, the rate booked on the IHG website was advance purchase. If I've already been charged, how does the process work then? Do I expect a refund now, or when the actual stay occurs?

Thanks!

nacho

Not in my experience, I normally get an approval email within hours to confirm that my claim is approved. Then it may take weeks before you get an email saying that the hotel has adjusted the rate to $0.

If I were you, I'll send an email with your reference number as the subject and ask them for a written confirmation on the successful claim.

After you got that and if the hotel hasn't adjusted the rate to $0, write to them again.

You'll probably be charged for the ADP purchase, the hotel will then have to refund you. They keep your $ for 1 month, but in return you get a free room.

murphyUA

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean send an email to the BRG people or to the hotel?

samwkchan

When was the experience? I could ask the agent to check if the claim still qualify before switching to an advance purchase rate on 17 June 2012.

blindman

Utter rubbish

Quite often in at least the week before arrival the ONLY rate on IHG web-sites is the FLEX rate. If you can beat that then you have FREE night that is flexible.

nacho

BRG people - don't bother the hotel unless it's necessary.

nacho

Yes I got IC Hamburg on BRG with 6 days notice - I filed the claim 6 days before arrival, i.e. as soon as the ADPs are gone

This is the rule of the free night game - you just need to play it right.

I also got another property that their flex rate is with 14 days cancellation notice.

Ambraciot

If I want to book 2 rooms for 3 nights (paying for 4 room nights), do I need to split the reservation into two reservations, one for each room?

nacho

Yep. Each person can only file a BRG for 1 room.

fcop

Great post...ive been searching through but please can someone help me answer these 2 questions:

1: They say you have to pick the cheapest rate they advertise - does this mean you have to pick room only over room with breakfast as it's always cheaper??

2: Is the price we have to beat the price including taxes or without??

Thanks!!

nacho

1. No, you need to compare rates either with breakfast or not

2. it's exclusive of tax as far as I know

A kind reminder: don't book Advance purchase rate until you are told by the BRG agent that you claim will be approved if you change you rate to advance purchase. Otherwise you'll stuck with the ADP rate.