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
Sep 30, 2011, 9:56 pm
#181
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
But all the 3rd party offers I've seen have only been partially refundable - i.e. there is %ge charge to cancel, or a "free until xx-days prior to the stay" condition. Red apples to green apples. This creates a new dimension to PC's wriggle room.
Sep 30, 2011, 10:34 pm
#182
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,421
Is that a UK thing. Plenty of free cancellation websites in the USA. Booking.com seems to have the most variation from ICH rates, but I just run it through Kayak to oompare. But it doesn't matter though if they're not going to match apples to apples.
Sep 30, 2011, 10:46 pm
#183
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 496
I just had an interesting conversation with a BRG supervisor about my complaint that they rejected my flexible rate BRG claim by arguing that they had a cheaper no-cancellation rate.
She says they will make a one-time exception for me and honor the BRG, but that "corporate" was now considering what their ultimate rule on this will be.
Obviously, it makes all the difference, since almost no one is going to book a BRG if it can, effectively, be only on a non-refundable rate.
I know it's hard to give away rooms for nothing. I'd really prefer if they'd just give you half-off the rate you find and be reasonable and fair in their BRG promise. That would be a win-win for everybody.
She says they will make a one-time exception for me and honor the BRG, but that "corporate" was now considering what their ultimate rule on this will be.
Obviously, it makes all the difference, since almost no one is going to book a BRG if it can, effectively, be only on a non-refundable rate.
I know it's hard to give away rooms for nothing. I'd really prefer if they'd just give you half-off the rate you find and be reasonable and fair in their BRG promise. That would be a win-win for everybody.
Honestly speaking, the original intention of the best price guarantee program is to ensure that travelers can book at the lowest price that they find within reasonable time, but not a game of intentional rate hunting. I see nothing more reasonable and fair to make the promise even more complicated. The current rules are good and fair enough. Of course, if a claim is clearly valid per their terms and conditions, they must honor it no matter if the traveler wanted to pay for the room in good faith before making the reservation.
Although I am also playing the game of getting free rooms, I won't complain if they tighten their rules or even cancel the promise some time. The hotel chain is not ethically responsible for providing the lowest rate, but it is the responsibility for travelers to look for an affordable rate.
Oct 1, 2011, 1:00 am
#184
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IHG, BA
Posts: 513
With this new BRG offer, am I able to book a 1 night stay at 1 hotel, and then book a stay the next night at another hotel, and get both comped if I find a lower rate for both?
Oct 1, 2011, 1:07 am
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Could well be - or my inexpertise..
I take Samwkchan's point. The scheme's rules aren't framed around folk looking for free rooms: rather they focus on people who have booked at ICHG hotels through the PC website - and who are presumably happy with the T&C they accepted.
But it might be a little naive to suggest the scheme is marketing altruism aimed solely at reassuring travellers they are getting the best rates through using the website. The aim seems more to persuade hotels not to sell through third parties, a practice which deprives PC of revenues it would otherwise earn.
I take Samwkchan's point. The scheme's rules aren't framed around folk looking for free rooms: rather they focus on people who have booked at ICHG hotels through the PC website - and who are presumably happy with the T&C they accepted.
But it might be a little naive to suggest the scheme is marketing altruism aimed solely at reassuring travellers they are getting the best rates through using the website. The aim seems more to persuade hotels not to sell through third parties, a practice which deprives PC of revenues it would otherwise earn.
Oct 1, 2011, 1:07 am
#186
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
We should start a BRG count here on FT. I bet FT accounts for 50%+ of all BRG claims. 
Oct 1, 2011, 7:01 am
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Oct 1, 2011, 1:06 pm
#188
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K/MM, AA GLD
Posts: 1,708
Anyone mind sharing tips for finding lower rates? I've been using Hotelscombined.com and Kayak, but both have been less than helpful, often showing me what looks like a third-party lower rate that after clicking through is actually higher.
Oct 1, 2011, 2:42 pm
#189
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 727
A twin room was booked at a Holiday Inn Express, stating 1 person and BRG claim was submitted, verified and valid.
Is it possible at a later date to update the number of people on the booking to 2 ?
It was a best flexible rate.
Is it possible at a later date to update the number of people on the booking to 2 ?
It was a best flexible rate.
Oct 1, 2011, 5:06 pm
#190
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 727
I booked a CP using advance purchase rate and submitted a BRG claim that was verified. I got an email from the BRG agent saying they would contact the hotel requesting that the first night is complimentary. I've checked my credit card statement and I've been billed by the hotel for the advance purchase rate.
So, anyone who books using advance purchase / BRG should keep an eye on their statements.
I'll contact the hotel first, and if i get no refund I will contact priority club customer care.
So, anyone who books using advance purchase / BRG should keep an eye on their statements.
I'll contact the hotel first, and if i get no refund I will contact priority club customer care.
Oct 1, 2011, 10:51 pm
#191
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MUC / VIE
Programs: LH M&M - US AIR - BMI - HYATT - SPG - SIXT - PP
Posts: 184
I booked a CP using advance purchase rate and submitted a BRG claim that was verified. I got an email from the BRG agent saying they would contact the hotel requesting that the first night is complimentary. I've checked my credit card statement and I've been billed by the hotel for the advance purchase rate.
So, anyone who books using advance purchase / BRG should keep an eye on their statements.
I'll contact the hotel first, and if i get no refund I will contact priority club customer care.
So, anyone who books using advance purchase / BRG should keep an eye on their statements.
I'll contact the hotel first, and if i get no refund I will contact priority club customer care.
Oct 2, 2011, 1:34 am
#192
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Oct 2, 2011, 2:06 am
#193
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,653
Sigh... IHG are really being jerks with this policy. They wait till the price has been fixed to reply.
Oct 2, 2011, 2:55 pm
#195
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: IC Amb :-(, UA silver, BA Gold, SPG Plat, A-Club Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 913
qualifying night?
anyone know whether nights stayed using the BRG represent a qualifying night and/or give you any points?
(remember points for an IC stay are ixed regardless of amount paid :-) )
(remember points for an IC stay are ixed regardless of amount paid :-) )