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
#796
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
I have to admit they can be strange on the cancellation policies. My friend had a claim denied because IHG had a refundable rate (they would charge your card only on check out) and he wanted to compare against a rate that would charge you right away but allowed you to cancel. In that case, the rep said IHG's deal was better since they didn't hold your money. In that case, however, the AP rate on IHG was still higher than the pay-now-but-you-can-cancel rate on the other site, so I told him to call back and switch to the AP rate and it went through. If you're comparing AP rates, you shouldn't have a problem.
And they comped my mom's $575 hotel so don't see why they won't do yours...
#797
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 307
At all my successful BRG claims, the rate could not be adjusted and they sent me a check. First I thought this really sucks, but then I noticed that they a) give me points for the stay and b) reimburse the full hotel bill including all charges! So I'm totally ok with that.
#798
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
back from japan. IC TYO works mega well with BRG. as an AMB we got upgraded as well!
#799
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
I have to admit they can be strange on the cancellation policies. My friend had a claim denied because IHG had a refundable rate (they would charge your card only on check out) and he wanted to compare against a rate that would charge you right away but allowed you to cancel. In that case, the rep said IHG's deal was better since they didn't hold your money. In that case, however, the AP rate on IHG was still higher than the pay-now-but-you-can-cancel rate on the other site, so I told him to call back and switch to the AP rate and it went through. If you're comparing AP rates, you shouldn't have a problem.
And they comped my mom's $575 hotel so don't see why they won't do yours...
#800
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,756
I believe so. You can compare rooms of the same type. You can always book the refundable rate on IHG, phone up the desk, and get them to verify the lower rate. They will then tell you that a lower rate exists but that you are ineligible because you didn't buy the cheapest rate (for that room), which is the AP rate. You can then offer to modify your reservation to the AP rate while they are on the phone with you. That's what I've done -- so there's no risk to try it.
#801
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 50,982
#802
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
I believe so. You can compare rooms of the same type. You can always book the refundable rate on IHG, phone up the desk, and get them to verify the lower rate. They will then tell you that a lower rate exists but that you are ineligible because you didn't buy the cheapest rate (for that room), which is the AP rate. You can then offer to modify your reservation to the AP rate while they are on the phone with you. That's what I've done -- so there's no risk to try it.
#804
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
If they decide to deny your claim, you cancel your refundable room on IHG.
Basically, find (but don't book) a cheaper room than IHG somewhere else (othersite.com). Then book a refundable room on IHG for the rate higher than othersite. Now phone up BRG. If they weasel out of the claim, cancel your refundable rate. If they want to accept the claim but won't because there was an AP rate on IHG, switch to the AP rate while on the phone (which is hopefully and likely still higher than the rate at othersite.com, whether or not the rate was refundable or not).
#805
Join Date: Jun 2002
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Celebrity Cruises Elite Plus
Posts: 1,259
#806
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.
#807
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
I had a paid stay on an AP rate at the Holiday Inn Philly Airport and I still settled the room on checkout. They just said if I didn't show up they'd still charge me. I guess it varies from hotel to hotel.
#808
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Either at the shooting range or anywhere good beer can be found...
Posts: 50,982
How so? You're not booking the room on the third party site. You're just comparing it to the IHG rate.
If they decide to deny your claim, you cancel your refundable room on IHG.
Basically, find (but don't book) a cheaper room than IHG somewhere else (othersite.com). Then book a refundable room on IHG for the rate higher than othersite. Now phone up BRG. If they weasel out of the claim, cancel your refundable rate. If they want to accept the claim but won't because there was an AP rate on IHG, switch to the AP rate while on the phone (which is hopefully and likely still higher than the rate at othersite.com, whether or not the rate was refundable or not).
If they decide to deny your claim, you cancel your refundable room on IHG.
Basically, find (but don't book) a cheaper room than IHG somewhere else (othersite.com). Then book a refundable room on IHG for the rate higher than othersite. Now phone up BRG. If they weasel out of the claim, cancel your refundable rate. If they want to accept the claim but won't because there was an AP rate on IHG, switch to the AP rate while on the phone (which is hopefully and likely still higher than the rate at othersite.com, whether or not the rate was refundable or not).
#809
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,145
"Sir, we were able to verify the lower rate on othersite, but you're ineligible for the BRG because you should have bought the best available rate on IHG.com, which is the AP rate."
"Oh, ok, but if I were to have an AP rate, my BRG claim would be approved, yes?"
"That is correct, sir."
"Ok, can I change to the AP rate right now? It'll only take a second. Would you mind staying on the line?"
"Ok sir, I see you've made the change to the AP rate. We can now approve your claim since we were able to verify the lower rate on othersite. Your reference number is 12345678 and we'll now request the adjusted (free) rate from the hotel. We'll send you an email when we hear back."
#810
Company Representative - InterContinental Hotels
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Salt Lake City Utah
Programs: IHG Rewards Club
Posts: 166
IHG Best Price Guarantee Support Desk
Hello All:
I want to thank mabramovich and several others for bringing to my attention the discrepancies of the Call Center Contact Hours of Operations on our sites. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience you have encountered.
You are correct the Hours of Operations for English is 24 Hours Per Day.
Please use the below link for contact details should you need to speak with a Best Price Guarantee Agent.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/.../guestrel.html
I believe I have the hours of operations correct and up to date on all our our links. Should you see a discrepancy please send me a PM with the site (or link) and I'll be happy to work to get it corrected.
I'm very sorry for the confusion this has caused.
Kevin.
IHGCare
I want to thank mabramovich and several others for bringing to my attention the discrepancies of the Call Center Contact Hours of Operations on our sites. I deeply apologize for the inconvenience you have encountered.
You are correct the Hours of Operations for English is 24 Hours Per Day.
Please use the below link for contact details should you need to speak with a Best Price Guarantee Agent.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/6c/.../guestrel.html
I believe I have the hours of operations correct and up to date on all our our links. Should you see a discrepancy please send me a PM with the site (or link) and I'll be happy to work to get it corrected.
I'm very sorry for the confusion this has caused.
Kevin.
IHGCare