sc flier

I don't see where you have posted about this. Can you elaborate on the details of that case? Do you have the response from the child on the SPG side of this BRG game? (It must be a childish game if rules get made up as we go along, right?)

mahasamatman

I don't remember the details, but as I recall they basically just quoted the rule that they won't match a "package" rate with breakfast, even when Starwood's rate also has breakfast. Which is odd, because shortly before that (or maybe it was shortly after), I got one approved with breakfast.

I think BRG claims really depend on exactly who you get to process your claim. Which begs the question - if you are rejected, does it make sense to reapply and try to get someone else to look at it?

chebraccia

I'll let you know tomorrow

sc flier

If it was a package for a distinctly different breakfast, it could maybe make sense. Otherwise, not so much.

If they are going to jerk around their customers who follow the rules, then yes, it makes sense to reapply and jerk them around, too.

mahasamatman

Could be. It may have been "breakfast" versus "American breakfast" or something like that.

alanslegal

I have had multiple successes where a 3rd party site is inclusive of breakfast and SPG BRG has honored those rates.

See my postings in this thread below; I have also had BRG success with Le Meridien Cancun for $90SD per night with breakfast (but didn't follow through) as I'm heading to Atlantis Resort - Bahamas instead.

mahasamatman

As I said, it all depends who's reading your request. I'm at 50% on breakfast rates (one success, one failure).

kitsura

BRG approved

Hotel Name: Yokohama Bay Sheraton Hotel & Towers
Arrival Date: 07-25-2010
Departure Date: 07-26-2010
Room Type: Regular Double
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate: JPY 15,700
Other Company room provider: www.yokohamabay-sheraton.co.jp
Competing rate: JPY15,400

BRG confirmed rate: 15,400yen

BRG Reward: 2000 points

digitalsky

I haven't read the entire thread yet but I'm confused. I just called SPG to asked if they would match otel.com's rate on 2 Hawaiian spg properties, but the CSR says that they don't match 3rd party prepaid rates - the rates offered on SPG are flexible and can be cancelled for a long time after booking.

sc flier

See the Rate Limitations section in the BRG T&Cs. They don't have to match this, but there are plenty of examples where they have done so anyway.

1) Is it true that all of the rates that you see on spg.com for your desired dates are flexible? spg.com also often offers prepaid rates which are not flexible and cannot be canceled. It's possible that these are web-only rates which the CSR cannot see.

2) Is it true that the rates that you are looking at on www.otel.com are non-refundable? This site also offers flexible and refundable rates.

I picked a random date of 7/20/10:
I see the Sheraton Maui on otel.com for $264 + $47 tax & fees = $311 (refundable). The lowest price on spg.com is $350 + tax & fees, and this rate on spg.com is non-refundable with this rate description:
Reserve & Relax - Advance Purchase Rate Is Fully Prepaid, Non Changeable, Non Refundable
The lowest refundable rate on spg.com is $380 + tax/fees, and this should really be the comparison against the refundable rate on otel.com.

The Westin Ka'anapali Villas also has what looks to be a valid BRG opportunity:
spg.com $360 + $44.68 tax = $404.68
otel.com $314 + $57 tax/fees = $371
Other room types are available, and otel.com seems to be better on all or most of them. Deluxe Oceanview Studio for $384 + tax/fees = $453 on otel.com vs. $485 + tax on spg.com.

I don't know the specific dates, property, or terms that you were looking at, but I have doubts that the CSR was correct or fully aware of the terms.

I also see that www.otel.com beats spg.com on rates in other destinations such as the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass in Arizona and the Westin Verasa Napa. In fact, there may be a lot of BRG options here.

digitalsky

Thanks for the reply! I had not looked at the deals as closely as you have (regarding prepayment / cancellation). I only compared the numbers. I suspect the CSR might not be 100% correct, so I have filed a claim anyway, since I didn't need to book with SPG before I file a claim. It would be really great if they can match these prices!

sc flier

If you're going to mess around with filing a claim, you still ought to do your research in advance so that you can fill out the claim form accurately. If otel.com is offering a refundable rate and you file a claim against a non-refundable rate on spg.com, they might reject your claim. Or they might accept your BRG as a non-refundable claim when you could've easily gotten it as a refundable claim.

Would you please post SPG's response when you hear back from them?

chebraccia

Mine was denied again SGS.... Different agent. but because of the breakfast wont work... I just don't get the last line about reviewing the rates, I clearly sent the link with my GTAhotel rate, why do they keep mentioning a higher rate on GTAsite (I linked the followin: http://www.gtahotels.com/searchhotel...=&search_type=)

Thanks for submitting a Best Rate Guarantee claim.

The Best Rate Guarantee does not apply to rates that include additional services or amenities that are not provided by the hotel. These rates, called packaged rates, include extras that are paid for by a third-party, in this case XXXXCOMPETINGSITEXXXX. Common examples of packaged rates are those that include breakfast or parking where this is actually paid for by a voucher or by a separate charge to the third-party.

As the competing rate that you have provided includes breakfast, it is considered a package rate and as a result I am not able to approve this claim for you.

I did review the rates and located a rate of 6800 THB plus taxes on our site and a rate of 7916.55 THB plus taxes on GTAhotels.com.

As our rate is lower, you claim would be denied.

For complete program details of the Best Rate Guarantee program please visit our website.


Your interest in our Best Rate Guarantee is appreciated and we welcome any claims you may submit in the future. The Best Rate Guarantee form is located here.

sc flier

chebraccia,
You didn't say what you actually submitted in your claim. Did you submit it for a Grand Deluxe room type? If so, then the 6800 bhat room is not for your room type. If not, then what did you expect and why?

It would really help if FTers would post what they actually submitted in this claim form. Here are the fields on this form:

Arrival Date:
Departure Date:
Number of Adults:
Number of Children:
Number of Rooms:
Room Type:
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate:
Competing Room Provider:
Competing Rate:
Same currencies?:
Comments:

thip88

I think if u send another claim with a Grand Deluxe room type like sc flier suggested u,,it should be success. Because a breakfast rate on SPG is 10,946.10THB included tax (around 337USD) and you can surely compare it against a breakfast rate on GTA which is 273USD