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
#1666
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
I always understood the rule to be like this: only ONE claim for ONE hotel in a 30-day-period, this in order to avoid people splitting up longer stays into several one-night reservations.
I did not know it was ONE claim for the entire IHG group. And I have to say, that I do have a trip coming up with three approved claims in one month.
I did not know it was ONE claim for the entire IHG group. And I have to say, that I do have a trip coming up with three approved claims in one month.
They also told me that the free night was forfeited!
I find this quite strange. They forgot to properly check when I made the claim (I booked both with same name, address and my Priority Club number on file, so did not try to hide anything), now realized this after more than half a year and now simply tell me that the free night is voided.
Should I accept this?
#1667
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,000
I have issues with IHG concerning this. I never fully checked the T&C, also got two confirmed free nights in one month. These claims were accepted almost 8 months ago. Today, I filed for another claim. It was approved, but in a separate email I was informed that they realized that they made a mistake by accepting the second free night in one month.
They also told me that the free night was forfeited!
I find this quite strange. They forgot to properly check when I made the claim (I booked both with same name, address and my Priority Club number on file, so did not try to hide anything), now realized this after more than half a year and now simply tell me that the free night is voided.
Should I accept this?
They also told me that the free night was forfeited!
I find this quite strange. They forgot to properly check when I made the claim (I booked both with same name, address and my Priority Club number on file, so did not try to hide anything), now realized this after more than half a year and now simply tell me that the free night is voided.
Should I accept this?
#1668
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,664
HTB.
#1669
Join Date: Aug 2005
Programs: UA*G(1K), PC Diamond Amb, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,664
#1670
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,399
I have issues with IHG concerning this. I never fully checked the T&C, also got two confirmed free nights in one month. These claims were accepted almost 8 months ago. Today, I filed for another claim. It was approved, but in a separate email I was informed that they realized that they made a mistake by accepting the second free night in one month.
They also told me that the free night was forfeited!
I find this quite strange. They forgot to properly check when I made the claim (I booked both with same name, address and my Priority Club number on file, so did not try to hide anything), now realized this after more than half a year and now simply tell me that the free night is voided.
Should I accept this?
They also told me that the free night was forfeited!
I find this quite strange. They forgot to properly check when I made the claim (I booked both with same name, address and my Priority Club number on file, so did not try to hide anything), now realized this after more than half a year and now simply tell me that the free night is voided.
Should I accept this?
Would I be spending $$ to get a lawyer to fight it for me? No. But I think, if you can be bothered, a letter to a regulatory authority would not go astray.
The free night guarantee is so riddled with get-out clauses for IHG it is essentially meaningless in many cases.
While I can understand matching cancellation policies etc, there are some terms and conditions - such as the 'one per month' and the 'must be in same currency' which I think are dishonest - regardless of what the Ts and Cs say.
In the latter two (one per month and same currency) you have actually found the night cheaper, and the guarantee should be honoured.
I can understand that they want to control multiple back to back free nights - a person who did that might not be playing by the rules. But if you have found different hotels, even a day apart, then they should honour it.
#1671
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
This is exactly what I told them.
I told them that I would, since I now know about it, adhere to this rule, but that I did not know about it when I made the second claim (not sure if it was in the T&C back then) and that it was up to them to check properly.
Since they did not do that, since it was long long ago and since I have a written confirmation of a free night, I accept the night to be free.
Let's see what they respond. Looks like they escalated it to a supervisor because the first reply came within 30 minutes, the second one is now at 15 hours.
I told them that I would, since I now know about it, adhere to this rule, but that I did not know about it when I made the second claim (not sure if it was in the T&C back then) and that it was up to them to check properly.
Since they did not do that, since it was long long ago and since I have a written confirmation of a free night, I accept the night to be free.
Let's see what they respond. Looks like they escalated it to a supervisor because the first reply came within 30 minutes, the second one is now at 15 hours.
#1672
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 50
Received a reply just now. They will honor both reservations and acknowledged that it was their fault. Case closed, for me
#1673
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,000
#1674
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Just got approved for Intercontinental Hamburg next month. Really good CSR and friendly service.
IC Hamburg EUR 139 BAR (no advance purchase rate anymore <14 days)
Hoteltravel.com EUR 103
IC Hamburg EUR 139 BAR (no advance purchase rate anymore <14 days)
Hoteltravel.com EUR 103
#1675
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,000
Wow, they have removed the ADP less than 14 days before arrival? I got it once back in January that I had to do it 6 days before arrival in order to avoid ADP.
#1676
Used to be highman123
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,541
Your are right it was only 6 days out. But all days before were 'BRGable' so I was pretty sure this one would work. My 'backup' was the Renaissance downtown.
#1677
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,000
#1678
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 723
ive only ever done claims relating to advance purchase rates.
im looking into a claim now, where the hotel on ihg.com has both best flex and adv purchase rates available.
ive found a competitor website which has a lower rate that can be cancelled without penalty and also a lower non refundable rate.
do i have to book the adv purchase rate or can i book the best flex? I'd prefer to book the best flex rate...
im looking into a claim now, where the hotel on ihg.com has both best flex and adv purchase rates available.
ive found a competitor website which has a lower rate that can be cancelled without penalty and also a lower non refundable rate.
do i have to book the adv purchase rate or can i book the best flex? I'd prefer to book the best flex rate...
#1679
Join Date: Apr 2004
Programs: BA Exec Blue, IHG Spire, HHonor Gold, Accor Platinum.
Posts: 966