Radisson Best Price guarantee
#331
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
I do feel the reliance on very subtle differences between cancelation policies (3pm vs 4pm for example) is underhand. I am used to more reasonable policies elsewhere.
#332
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
Made my first claim a few days ago after I found a lower rate on 'hotels.com'.
About two days later it was approved with no problem. 25% discount on lower rate.
Though, they modified my reservation online which now shows "0.00" as rate on all nights. Weird. On the email they wrote the new rate currently.
About two days later it was approved with no problem. 25% discount on lower rate.
Though, they modified my reservation online which now shows "0.00" as rate on all nights. Weird. On the email they wrote the new rate currently.
tey will adjust price!
#333
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
So if you find a better rate with a better cancellation policy (or a 1h in cancellation time difference) it is not a truly better rate ?
If you find a better rate with a little difference in the room description, but you know the room MUST be the same because there is just one kind of room in the hotel it is not a truly better rate ?
If you find a rate which is half the CC price but in an other currency it is not a truly better rate ?
Each time SPG or Marriott denied me a BRG it was because the rate was not here anymore when they checked. CC denied 98% of my claim, always for silly reasons.
But yes sometimes it works. Like sometimes poeple win the 6-49...
If you find a better rate with a little difference in the room description, but you know the room MUST be the same because there is just one kind of room in the hotel it is not a truly better rate ?
If you find a rate which is half the CC price but in an other currency it is not a truly better rate ?
Each time SPG or Marriott denied me a BRG it was because the rate was not here anymore when they checked. CC denied 98% of my claim, always for silly reasons.
But yes sometimes it works. Like sometimes poeple win the 6-49...
+1 so is the case for most members!
#334
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,269
This isn't a thread to post successes, but rather whines/complaints about people who don't like the rules. So any generalizations about "most members" is unwarranted.
And yes, other chains will deny a BRG claim if there is a one day difference in cancellation date or if the room is described differently, even though you insist you are right.
Most travelers judge hotels based on their actual services, not the travelers ability to scam them.
And yes, other chains will deny a BRG claim if there is a one day difference in cancellation date or if the room is described differently, even though you insist you are right.
Most travelers judge hotels based on their actual services, not the travelers ability to scam them.
#335
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,916
A BRG policy is supposed to be a win-win. No OTA fees for the hotel, and a reduced rate and points / status for the customer. Nobody is scamming anyone. Otherwise I would have scammed SPG and Marriott hundred of times...
Also, agree that BRG policy is not the only reason I don't stay with CC anymore. The lack of gold recognition, the fact they went from best to worst concerning promo and the fact some of their best hotels are leaving them also have to do with it.
#336
was jgoggan
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Michigan, USA
Programs: WN 650k+CP; BA 200k; AA 200k; HHonors 450k; IHG 300k Plat; Bonvoy 250k; Rad 225k
Posts: 203
I think the mention of "scamming" is more related to the MANY instances in this thread where people are complaining when they clearly did NOT have a match to the same room or cancellation policy. I can scroll back through and see a LOT of people that THINK they deserved the BRG to apply, but had clearly booked a different room type or a non-cancel-able room and then tried to argue it was the same.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the company sucks at BRGs sometimes. We've seen many instances where they denied it and then the person called back and they approved it and no one could explain why it was denied in the first place! THAT sort of thing should NOT happen.
But there are simply also a lot of instances where it was NOT a proper match -- and people here still whined and moaned about how they weren't honoring their BRG when, in fact, they simply didn't meet the requirements.
- John...
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the company sucks at BRGs sometimes. We've seen many instances where they denied it and then the person called back and they approved it and no one could explain why it was denied in the first place! THAT sort of thing should NOT happen.
But there are simply also a lot of instances where it was NOT a proper match -- and people here still whined and moaned about how they weren't honoring their BRG when, in fact, they simply didn't meet the requirements.
- John...
#337
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,916
I think the mention of "scamming" is more related to the MANY instances in this thread where people are complaining when they clearly did NOT have a match to the same room or cancellation policy. I can scroll back through and see a LOT of people that THINK they deserved the BRG to apply, but had clearly booked a different room type or a non-cancel-able room and then tried to argue it was the same.
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the company sucks at BRGs sometimes. We've seen many instances where they denied it and then the person called back and they approved it and no one could explain why it was denied in the first place! THAT sort of thing should NOT happen.
But there are simply also a lot of instances where it was NOT a proper match -- and people here still whined and moaned about how they weren't honoring their BRG when, in fact, they simply didn't meet the requirements.
- John...
Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the company sucks at BRGs sometimes. We've seen many instances where they denied it and then the person called back and they approved it and no one could explain why it was denied in the first place! THAT sort of thing should NOT happen.
But there are simply also a lot of instances where it was NOT a proper match -- and people here still whined and moaned about how they weren't honoring their BRG when, in fact, they simply didn't meet the requirements.
- John...
Then there is the currency trick, which IMO really sucks. But at least it is clearly explained in the t&c.
Then there are the really silly reasons to deny a claim. When there is a 1 hour difference in cancellation deadline. Ore worst when the cancellation deadline is better on the third party site. This one, I just can't get it.
#338
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat Pro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,008
I completely agree with the fact that you cannot compare non-cancellable rate with cancellable rate. I also agree with the fact that you cannot compare rate when the room is actually different in the two sites.
Then there is the currency trick, which IMO really sucks. But at least it is clearly explained in the t&c.
Then there are the really silly reasons to deny a claim. When there is a 1 hour difference in cancellation deadline. Ore worst when the cancellation deadline is better on the third party site. This one, I just can't get it.
Then there is the currency trick, which IMO really sucks. But at least it is clearly explained in the t&c.
Then there are the really silly reasons to deny a claim. When there is a 1 hour difference in cancellation deadline. Ore worst when the cancellation deadline is better on the third party site. This one, I just can't get it.
#339
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ヒルトン大阪
Programs: ゴールデングローブ
Posts: 1,982
And how about this one - where the room rates both include breakfast. Yup, those are denied as not eligible even if ALL OTHER things are identical. And please be sure you understand that both rates include breakfast, which in my mind makes them absolutely identical. Yet, Radisson denies such claims saying rooms with breakfast are not eligible. What sort of game are they playing?
That is called SCAM in my country.
#340
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,269
Yes, we know your thoughts. However, when a discount program explicitly lays out its terms and conditions, following those terms and conditions is not a "scam." In this country, we call your statements "hyperbole" and "trade libel."
#341
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,916
And how about this one - where the room rates both include breakfast. Yup, those are denied as not eligible even if ALL OTHER things are identical. And please be sure you understand that both rates include breakfast, which in my mind makes them absolutely identical. Yet, Radisson denies such claims saying rooms with breakfast are not eligible. What sort of game are they playing?
#342
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,916
How would you call that is Apple put on their website "New iPhone 6 for 1$" and at the end of the t&c, in small character "for the first 2 clients" ?
#343
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,269
It depends what you call a scam. Is it illegal ? probably not. Is it honest ? definitely not. This is clearly false advertising.
How would you call that is Apple put on their website "New iPhone 6 for 1$" and at the end of the t&c, in small character "for the first 2 clients" ?
How would you call that is Apple put on their website "New iPhone 6 for 1$" and at the end of the t&c, in small character "for the first 2 clients" ?
Plenty of commercials and ads have big promo headlines and terms in the small print. That's how advertising works.
#344
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat Pro, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,008
Second, and perhaps even more importantly, they claim "We will respond within 72 hours on the status of your claim. If you have not had a response within this timeframe please e-mail [email protected]". Now, I had an example where it took them 10 days to respond. 10 days! Of course, by the time they responded (and yes, I emailed them as well, and even emailed them on Facebook and tweeted them on Twitter), the lower rate was gone. And they denied my claim because they couldn't find my lower rate. Now that could be referred to as a scam. Wait it out until the lower rate is gone and then respond. I doubt this is intentional but rather simply horrible service on their part due to understaffing and untrained personnel. However class actions have taken place on a lot less than this.
So yes, sometimes they honor the best price guarantee. But many times they make it so difficult and frustrating that people like me give up. And this I believe is intentional on their part. Unfortunately they are counting on me staying with their chain and just not participating in their BPG program. I however vote with my $'s and do not stay at their chain unless it's the only hotel in town.
#345
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,269
Since the ball keeps moving here as to exactly what about the program is a scam and/or false advertising. let's just accept some of us think it's a scam, some false advertising, and some not intended to be an easy 30% off promo.
Many of these words are tossed around on the BRG threads of other hotels as well, but this thread seems unique in terms of the anti Cc trolls it attracts. Perhaps we should start separate threads for those who want to rant against the program, and those who have successes (including at properties with breakfasts) and are willing to share with others and help them navigate the system.
Many of these words are tossed around on the BRG threads of other hotels as well, but this thread seems unique in terms of the anti Cc trolls it attracts. Perhaps we should start separate threads for those who want to rant against the program, and those who have successes (including at properties with breakfasts) and are willing to share with others and help them navigate the system.