mahasamatman

I'm telling you that it doesn't qualify for the BRG. Book the Starwood room with breakfast and it will all work out because then you qualify for BRG.

controller1

You only have a beef if you follow the rules. You didn't. Below is from the T&C of the Best Rate Guarantee link from the Starwood site.

The Best Rate Guarantee does not apply to packaged rates. Packaged rates include (a)Hotel accommodations sold as part of a travel package, in which the property does not provide the extra service, including, but not limited to accommodations plus airfare and/or car rental and/or cruise, and (b) hotel accommodations sold with value added amenities, including, but not limited to, free breakfast and hotel parking.

emphasis added by controller1

jetsfan92588

im sorry, but that really is BS. The first one makes sense, but the second one is just ridiculous. it would only make sense if the spg rate included breakfast and the other rate didn't. if its the other way around starwood should suck it up, and match the rate. its a bs way for them to be able to advertise the guarantee policy and put in so many ridiculous exclusions that makes it worthless. i mean, why should it really matter that the guarantee doesn't count because its on the Westin website and not a totally unrelated website. its just a way for them to get away with false advertising.

p.s. im not attacking you, im attacking starwood (and most other hotel and airline companies)

nissan motor

Yes, that is what he wanted to tell you. I found also many many lower rates with breakfast but SPG did not honor them... It is stupid I think, yes but that is the rule.

Your second case, however, should be honored in my opinion. It cannot be that there is one rate on Westin for exmaple and will not be matched with the lower rate on SPG.com for example.

controller1

I don't disagree with you but the rules were there for the OP to read prior to asking for compensation under the BRG. Whether you agree with the rules or not, there is no need to ask for a variance and then complain when a variance to the rules is not granted.

soitgoes

The big print is that spg.com offers the "best rates". When a rate elsewhere is cheaper and includes more, it's hard to see how spg.com is offering the "best rate".

mahasamatman

If you do it right, you should have no problem. See posts 544 and 547 above.

They are both Starwood web sites, and the T&C do not allow you to use Starwood against itself. I'm willing to bet they don't even know which Starwood site you use to book, so you're basically comparing Starwood to itself.

samuel99

I take the rules to mean that all packages regardless of what they include are excluded. Do you mean that exact packages count for a BRG?

An example is the Sheraton Chicago NW and Coco Water Park (which is owned by the hotel but does operate a separate website). Reservations on SPG are $159 for 2 adults and 2 kids including the water park access. The Coco Water Park site sells the same package for $129 - same room type and same water park access.

I wasn't going to try for a BRG on this because they are both packages. I also didn't bother to book yet because the hotel has some crappy, crappy reviews. Thoughts on a BRG for this?

Thanks!

mahasamatman

It did for me.

mech11

YES, it just seems to me that if your going to do all this nick-picking as starwood is doing with the small print and excuses, they should't bother haveing the "Best Rate Guarantee" if you can call it that.

Heaven forbid they buy Goggle and use that as an excuss as being their site.

as to the double pricing:

WHAT'S STARWOOD RUNNING A USED CAR LOT,,SHOULDN"T ONE PRICE BE THE SAME PRICE FOR ALL THEIR CUSTOMERS..one customer ends up paying more for the same room, just because he was unfortunate to end up on Starwoods "OTHER SITE"

NJUPINTHEAIR

It would be nice if you were to switch your allegiance to another hotel chain.

Many of us have done quite well -- thank you very much -- by living within the restrictions of the BRG. If you search this thread or others you will see that I have had a problem with the way that they employ it sometimes, however, your issues have been asked and answered ad naueaum in this thread, and it would be better if you made a miinimal effort to try to understand the rules of the program than just complaining.

If you don't like it, go to another chain or just book via another site and not earn points.

ttrltb

I understand you're upset, but I agree with others who say that you're not reading and applying the T&C's associated with the program. Agree with the T&C's or not, they are rather clear. It's also been discussed here on why SPG might not want rates w/ breakfast, etc. compared with different, even lesser rates. As far as the Starwood sites having two different rates, I don't think you could fairly expect Starwood to compete with itself. Just be happy that you found a cheaper rate.

Personally, I've had about a dozen successful BRG claims out of 25 stays (50%!), so I have to vehemntly disagree with the naysayers and conspiracy theorists. Maybe it was my travel market, my flexibility or possibly even a little patience and tenacity, but I can't, even mildly, entertain any claims that BRG is a "scam".

Related and potentially important for future BRG searchers, I will also add that as part of a recent BRG claim, a hotel sent me an e-mail that was excessively apologetic for my having to file a BRG claim. Since I'd never received such a contact from any of my previous BRG claims, I contacted the hotel and wound up speaking with the HM who assured me that Starwood takes the BRG claims very seriously and that there is pressure on the hotels to ensure that they/Starwood have the best rate for a room. If the increased pressure is accurate, then translation = BRG's will be harder to find.

nissan motor

NJUPITHEAIR, I think you should not say such things. I can fully understand that the OP is frustratet about this picking nicking nonsense things with the BRG. A substantial similar - or even better - rate on the other website should of course be matched and honored @:-) I don't see a reason why the OP should go to another hotel chain or do his bookings without getting the points. I would rather say that SPG should be more honest and either accept the lower rates or not offer a BRG @:-) That's my opinion about it.

mech11

I do and would, Just so happens the HYATT ( who I never see DOUBLE PRICEING ) is not avalable in that city..

mahasamatman

It would be impossible for them to be more honest, because they're already 100% honest. They will accept the lower rates if you follow the rules.