Apr 17, 2017, 8:50 am
Last edit by: FLYGVA
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
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
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
Older Thread (Prior to December 31, 2016) could be found here. The Wiki was taken from this thread.
New IHG Best Rate Guarantee - Discussion & Feedback from January 2016
Jan 20, 2016, 5:30 am
#46
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
I've gotten this denial three times in a row now: "Please be advised that a lower room rate was found offered on the IHG website for the same room type booked based on the details found for the reservation on your claim. The Terms and Conditions require that the claim be for “a valid room booking with the lowest available price (room rate)” on the IHG website."
Basically they are saying that because nonrefundable rate is cheaper than flexible rate, it's invalid claim. Is this a new policy change? You used to be able to compare flex rate on IHG against flex on OTA, but now they seem to not even accept that if a nonrefundable rate is cheaper - something that almost always exists.
Is it even possible to do a flex rate claim anymore?
Basically they are saying that because nonrefundable rate is cheaper than flexible rate, it's invalid claim. Is this a new policy change? You used to be able to compare flex rate on IHG against flex on OTA, but now they seem to not even accept that if a nonrefundable rate is cheaper - something that almost always exists.
Is it even possible to do a flex rate claim anymore?
However flex is harder to match to an OTA as have extra hurdle of cancel period to match
Are you choosing the IHG Member rate that is discounted slightly from the BAR or FLEX rate on IHG.COM you are comparing against the. OTA. This member rate is what you have to beat with an OTA since many months ago
Yes you need to have signed up to IHG @Rewards to get this rate and also but even non-@Rewards members must beat these member rates to win the BPG free night game
Jan 20, 2016, 5:55 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
Bar v bar and flex v flex are still both valid comparisons under bpg rules. Most regulars unless staying at hotel anyway even if no bpg given, book flex rates to obtain a bpg
However flex is harder to match to an OTA as have extra hurdle of cancel period to match
Are you choosing the IHG Member rate that is discounted slightly from the BAR or FLEX rate on IHG.COM you are comparing against the. OTA. This member rate is what you have to beat with an OTA since many months ago
Yes you need to have signed up to IHG @Rewards to get this rate and also but even non-@Rewards members must beat these member rates to win the BPG free night game
However flex is harder to match to an OTA as have extra hurdle of cancel period to match
Are you choosing the IHG Member rate that is discounted slightly from the BAR or FLEX rate on IHG.COM you are comparing against the. OTA. This member rate is what you have to beat with an OTA since many months ago
Yes you need to have signed up to IHG @Rewards to get this rate and also but even non-@Rewards members must beat these member rates to win the BPG free night game
Jan 20, 2016, 7:04 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,443
That is no longer the case under their new interpretation of the rules: When the hotel offers a package (dinner, transport, etc) at a lower rate than the bar, or flex, they will deny your claim for bar or flex, and refer to the rules that you must book the lowest rate in order to file a BPG. Even though the package they refer to is obviously different from what the OTA offers.
Jan 20, 2016, 7:39 am
#49
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 94
What do you do with OTA's call a room something that isn't offered by the hotel?
For example:
http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/...al_New_Orleans
The 2 offers that are cheaper than IHG are for "Double Standard Rooms" but the only 2 bed configuration on the IHG site is a 2 bed superior room.
For example:
http://www.hotelscombined.com/Hotel/...al_New_Orleans
The 2 offers that are cheaper than IHG are for "Double Standard Rooms" but the only 2 bed configuration on the IHG site is a 2 bed superior room.
Jan 20, 2016, 1:56 pm
#50
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 70
escalation?
Has anyone ever had success with escalation or in writing back to the denial emails? I have been denied twice for what should have been approved. I booked a 1 bed king high floor room with a non refundable first night and a no-show penalty for $459/nt. I found a another site with the same description, terms and conditions for $437 and submitted it. CSR denied based on the fact that the other site had another listing for the same room description, but refundable, for $459. I am baffled.
Jan 20, 2016, 3:37 pm
#51
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 73
I've gotten this denial three times in a row now: "Please be advised that a lower room rate was found offered on the IHG website for the same room type booked based on the details found for the reservation on your claim. The Terms and Conditions require that the claim be for “a valid room booking with the lowest available price (room rate)” on the IHG website."
Basically they are saying that because nonrefundable rate is cheaper than flexible rate, it's invalid claim. Is this a new policy change? You used to be able to compare flex rate on IHG against flex on OTA, but now they seem to not even accept that if a nonrefundable rate is cheaper - something that almost always exists.
Is it even possible to do a flex rate claim anymore?
Basically they are saying that because nonrefundable rate is cheaper than flexible rate, it's invalid claim. Is this a new policy change? You used to be able to compare flex rate on IHG against flex on OTA, but now they seem to not even accept that if a nonrefundable rate is cheaper - something that almost always exists.
Is it even possible to do a flex rate claim anymore?
Jan 21, 2016, 1:48 am
#52
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
Unfortunately it's not the case, they always put up some prepaid rates to block the flex rates.
You can do flex rate when the prepaid rates at ihg.com is gone.
You can do flex rate when the prepaid rates at ihg.com is gone.
Jan 21, 2016, 2:40 am
#53
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
Has anyone ever had success with escalation or in writing back to the denial emails? I have been denied twice for what should have been approved. I booked a 1 bed king high floor room with a non refundable first night and a no-show penalty for $459/nt. I found a another site with the same description, terms and conditions for $437 and submitted it. CSR denied based on the fact that the other site had another listing for the same room description, but refundable, for $459. I am baffled.
Jan 21, 2016, 4:47 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 70
thanks. they finally did agree that I was correct and that the previous three denials were for invalid reasons, but ended up finally denying me because the total with taxes and fees was the same (averaged out), which I agree fits their T & Cs. I appreciate that IHG offers the BPG, but the claims process so incredibly maddening that I probably will not book with them again and try to submit. I was successful with three other chains with claims for this upcoming trip and will probably stick with other options in the future.
Jan 21, 2016, 7:51 am
#55
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 73
Jan 21, 2016, 8:23 am
#56
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
Jan 21, 2016, 9:26 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, United Premier Silver
Posts: 205
Hi guys, so its within 7 days of my intended check-in date, and there is JUST flexible bookings available on IHG (no breakfast), I book a flexible fare booking on 3rd party site but it's bundled with breakfast, so that's considered a package and IHG will reject my claim even though the 3rd party offer is better? Can someone explain the logic in this? 
Jan 21, 2016, 10:43 am
#59
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Grand County, Colorado
Programs: IHG Plat, HH D, UA GS, Perm BonVoyed
Posts: 2,013
Jan 21, 2016, 10:57 am
#60
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: N/A
Programs: 100m swimming certificate level 5
Posts: 1,456
I still haven't got over the blogger who got the BRG phone lines canned!