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
Aug 18, 2012, 8:26 am
#1711
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 121
Do you always hear back from BPG before check-in if the hotel refuses/accepts to adjust the rate? I filed a valid claim for today a week ago. And I still haven't heard anything. I called BPG desk yesterday and they told me that they are still waiting to hear back from the hotel. They also reassured me that my claim is valid. But I'm just curious what's gonna happen at the hotel when I check-in later today.
Aug 18, 2012, 9:15 am
#1712
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: BOG
Programs: IC Amb, IHG Spire, Hilton Diamond, EY E+, UA*G, BA Gold
Posts: 65
Not yet, it should be on their website shortly. I received a postal notification (happy to provide if you pm me your email address). They made the adjudication back in late June but IHG still took no action, so then they got back to them more recently and IHG changed the terms as a resolution.
Aug 18, 2012, 12:48 pm
#1713
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,445
Do you always hear back from BPG before check-in if the hotel refuses/accepts to adjust the rate? I filed a valid claim for today a week ago. And I still haven't heard anything. I called BPG desk yesterday and they told me that they are still waiting to hear back from the hotel. They also reassured me that my claim is valid. But I'm just curious what's gonna happen at the hotel when I check-in later today.
At the worst, get them to send you an e-mail verifying your claim in case you need to fight the credit card charge later.
Aug 18, 2012, 1:10 pm
#1714
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,075
How about that!
I notice that this paragraph is different as well:
That sounds much less restrictive. Sounds like those little differences (like 6pm vs. noon cancellation) might not be an obstacle anymore - just pre-payment/deposit vs. not, and non-refundable vs. refundable.
Or am I reading too much into that? It says "equal" but the examples quoted are very broad.
I notice that this paragraph is different as well:
That sounds much less restrictive. Sounds like those little differences (like 6pm vs. noon cancellation) might not be an obstacle anymore - just pre-payment/deposit vs. not, and non-refundable vs. refundable.
Or am I reading too much into that? It says "equal" but the examples quoted are very broad.
All terms for the room price, including, but not limited to pre-payment, deposit or other requirements must be equal to terms found on an IHG website to be used for comparison.
Aug 18, 2012, 1:44 pm
#1715
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,445
The old terms stated that the competing website needed equal or less restrictive terms. Now it just says equal. However, now there is no example given, so it's not specific about cancellation time - only refundable vs. non-refundable.
Also consider the example in the landing page - just mentions refundable vs. non-refundable.
I'm wondering if this is an attempt to be more "compliant" by taking the weasel terms out... or if it's just to give them MORE room to deny claims.
Also consider the example in the landing page - just mentions refundable vs. non-refundable.
I'm wondering if this is an attempt to be more "compliant" by taking the weasel terms out... or if it's just to give them MORE room to deny claims.
Aug 19, 2012, 1:01 am
#1716
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
New IHG Best Rate Guarantee - Discussion & Feedback
Just got approved for CP Gurgaon. New property. Price difference was only 85 INR -pretty close. But it's not easy finding good sites that bill in INR at least for me...
Aug 19, 2012, 3:01 am
#1717
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,075
Denied claim
I got a rejection today for a claim that is supposed to be valid. Here's the email:
When I booked the room IHG.com was 1200 for the same room - I think the agent might be trying to delay my claim simply by rejecting it.
I verifed the rate on the 3rd party site and it's HKD 50 more than IHG.com - so they used my info to kill the site.
We have attempted to verify the lower rate of 1020.00 HKD you found on xxxxx.com. Please be informed that in order for you to qualify to the guarantee, you need to book the lowest available rate we have on our website. Since, there’s a lower rate offered on our site for the same room, we are unable to extend the guarantee.
I verifed the rate on the 3rd party site and it's HKD 50 more than IHG.com - so they used my info to kill the site.
Last edited by nacho; Aug 19, 2012 at 9:44 am
Aug 19, 2012, 8:55 am
#1718
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Sydney
Programs: IHG Platinum Ambassador, Accor Gold, Hilton Hhonors Gold, Qantas Gold, Virgin Australia Platinum
Posts: 213
Called and put a claim in today. Was told the claim is valid and that I'll get an email from the hotel. But after reading some of the posts here it looks like I could be waiting a long time before the email arrives! Well, at least my stay isn't until the end of September so I'll just hope for the best 
Aug 20, 2012, 3:40 pm
#1719
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 102
Called and put a claim in today. Was told the claim is valid and that I'll get an email from the hotel. But after reading some of the posts here it looks like I could be waiting a long time before the email arrives! Well, at least my stay isn't until the end of September so I'll just hope for the best
Aug 21, 2012, 1:47 am
#1720
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Programs: MyWaitrose, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond & BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,685
After my prepaid rate claim was successful back in April, the charge finally appeared on my credit card today, at the old rate. Over 4 months to charge me and they still couldn't charge the lower rate! 
Guess I need to call.
Guess I need to call.
Aug 22, 2012, 6:15 pm
#1721
Join Date: Mar 2006
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K, F9 Elite, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,319
This latest change is not good. Many of my claims are for AP rates on IHG website versus modifiable rates on 3rd party website. Now, this will not be possible. AP has to match AP and flexible has to match flexible. Grrrrrrr 
Aug 22, 2012, 11:01 pm
#1722
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,667
Does anyone know how to contact them?
HTB.
Aug 23, 2012, 1:52 am
#1723
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,075
Aug 23, 2012, 2:24 am
#1724
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: BA Exec Blue, IHG Spire, HHonor Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 966
I agree it's now ambiguous as they've missed out the words "less restricitve" and they only give one example which doesn't show the third party as less restrictive.
But they are on shaky ground if the deny a claim where the price is lower and the terms are less restrictive IMHO.
Aug 23, 2012, 3:15 am
#1725
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,075
I don't read the T&C's that way TBHO.
I agree it's now ambiguous as they've missed out the words "less restricitve" and they only give one example which doesn't show the third party as less restrictive.
But they are on shaky ground if the deny a claim where the price is lower and the terms are less restrictive IMHO.
I agree it's now ambiguous as they've missed out the words "less restricitve" and they only give one example which doesn't show the third party as less restrictive.
But they are on shaky ground if the deny a claim where the price is lower and the terms are less restrictive IMHO.