Best rate guarantee - successes and failures 2008 on [Master Thread]
Apr 27, 2011, 12:45 pm
#751
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Germany-Dresden
Programs: Bonvoy AMB/LTE , Diamond HH, SEN LH
Posts: 181
Apr 28, 2011, 8:17 am
#752
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CDG
Programs: More shiny with hotels than airlines.
Posts: 184
The most common reason I have been denied a BRG claim is the rate changed within the 24 period after I filed the BRG and before the claim response. That comes with the territory.
Starwood BRG is the easiest process of any of the hotel programs in my experience.
Starwood BRG is the easiest process of any of the hotel programs in my experience.
May 2, 2011, 9:10 am
#753
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium/LTG, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,921
Would my current BRG stll be valid?
I always clam a BRG first, and only when it is approved, do I proceed with a booking.
I have just received a BRG approval for the Westin Kuala Lumpur for a stay this Thursday (when I was completing the claim, SPG had it at 510MYR + taxes vs. competing site laterooms.com for 417.60MYR inclusive).
I am in the process of making a reservaton to complete the BRG process ... and have just noticed that SPG.com now has the Westin for 30% off LTO being 360MYR + taxes = 417.60MYR (which is identical to the competing rate).
So given the new SPG rate is equal to my competing rate, would my approved BRG still stand?
I always clam a BRG first, and only when it is approved, do I proceed with a booking.
I have just received a BRG approval for the Westin Kuala Lumpur for a stay this Thursday (when I was completing the claim, SPG had it at 510MYR + taxes vs. competing site laterooms.com for 417.60MYR inclusive).
I am in the process of making a reservaton to complete the BRG process ... and have just noticed that SPG.com now has the Westin for 30% off LTO being 360MYR + taxes = 417.60MYR (which is identical to the competing rate).
So given the new SPG rate is equal to my competing rate, would my approved BRG still stand?
May 2, 2011, 9:31 am
#754
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Monterey, California
Programs: Affiliated with all, participate in some
Posts: 2,188
Once you have an email from BRG team stating your claim was approved, then you are set.
I have begun booking Starwood stays for the Stay 3, 1 Free resort night. Submitted three BRG rates yesterday. Waiting to hear from BRG team today.
Trying to submit another one right now, but the website is down. I guess it is time to call SPG for more points
.
I have begun booking Starwood stays for the Stay 3, 1 Free resort night. Submitted three BRG rates yesterday. Waiting to hear from BRG team today.
Trying to submit another one right now, but the website is down. I guess it is time to call SPG for more points
.
May 2, 2011, 9:39 am
#755
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
May 6, 2011, 6:38 am
#756
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CDG
Programs: More shiny with hotels than airlines.
Posts: 184
Unfortunately, again and again the same answer....
Dear Mr. pititom
The Best Rate Guarantee Department is only able to verify the rates available on both the Competing website and our own website at the time of processing. We do not have the ability to verify a rate that was available prior to this time. When I processed your claim I found a rate of $489.60 USD and this is the rate that your approval was based on.
For complete program details, please refer to the terms and conditions of the Best Rate Guarantee program.
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.
Best Regards,
xxxxxxx
Best Rate Guarantee Specialist
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
The Best Rate Guarantee Department is only able to verify the rates available on both the Competing website and our own website at the time of processing. We do not have the ability to verify a rate that was available prior to this time. When I processed your claim I found a rate of $489.60 USD and this is the rate that your approval was based on.
For complete program details, please refer to the terms and conditions of the Best Rate Guarantee program.
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.
Best Regards,
xxxxxxx
Best Rate Guarantee Specialist
Specialist, E-Communications Department
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
May 6, 2011, 7:17 am
#757
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
May 6, 2011, 9:48 am
#758
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Marriott Employee Level
Posts: 31,593
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
May 6, 2011, 1:00 pm
#759
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, AA 3MM EXP
Posts: 397
OP has a point
I can definitely understand the frustration with the OP, as I just went to kayak.com and did a search in STL for May 18-20. It shows the Westin available for $167 (good rate) with a BOOK NOW link. SPG.com shows absolutely no availability with the same search criteria. Different problem, similar issue, but most likely the same root cause.
The general issue with these aggregator sites is cached availability. The dirty little secret of travel sites (even their own branded websites in some cases) is that fares/availability change during the booking process. Industry average (and I am an expert) is around 22%. This is nearly always due to stale, cached inventory information. Travel inventory is getting so dynamic with the use of pattern algorithms and these aggregator sites just can't keep up.
The general issue with these aggregator sites is cached availability. The dirty little secret of travel sites (even their own branded websites in some cases) is that fares/availability change during the booking process. Industry average (and I am an expert) is around 22%. This is nearly always due to stale, cached inventory information. Travel inventory is getting so dynamic with the use of pattern algorithms and these aggregator sites just can't keep up.
May 6, 2011, 5:03 pm
#760
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: YUL
Posts: 969
What if he/she does not know William, Thyetus or Christine? I am a SPG member, but I suddenly feel I'm not part of the family (!).
May 6, 2011, 8:01 pm
#761
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
I see you're getting drawn in by Kayak's bait-and-switch. Try clicking the booking link, and you'll get the No availability for dates requested from Kayak (I just did, and that's what I got). This is a very common problem with third-party web sites, and especially for Kayak.
May 7, 2011, 3:52 am
#762
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
The Lurkers are not going to be able to force a better outcome. It would be better to continue discussing the issue with the BRG folks and if it needs to be escalated to do so with a supervisor in that department.
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
Best regards,
William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
[email protected]
I see you're getting drawn in by Kayak's bait-and-switch. Try clicking the booking link, and you'll get the No availability for dates requested from Kayak (I just did, and that's what I got). This is a very common problem with third-party web sites, and especially for Kayak.
May 7, 2011, 4:16 am
#763
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: CDG
Programs: More shiny with hotels than airlines.
Posts: 184
I would not try to get it done by a lurker as the original thread (it is now merged) was to discuss if Starwood BRG process was straightforward or not. It wouldn't if it didn't work for everybody's and would work for the few FT who are lucky to have the lurkers arrange things behind.
May 7, 2011, 4:28 am
#764
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: JFK, DCA, BUR, YVR
Programs: AC, AS, BA, DL, HH (D), MR (T/LTP), UA (*S), UScAAre (PLT/1,87MM), WN
Posts: 5,207
I was not whining. Just adding some materials to a previous conversation (post #713 : http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16262051-post713.html ) with mahasamatman who had never seen such practises with Starwood's BRG, while I experience it most of the time.
I would not try to get it done by a lurker as the original thread (it is now merged) was to discuss if Starwood BRG process was straightforward or not. It wouldn't if it didn't work for everybody's and would work for the few FT who are lucky to have the lurkers arrange things behind.
I would not try to get it done by a lurker as the original thread (it is now merged) was to discuss if Starwood BRG process was straightforward or not. It wouldn't if it didn't work for everybody's and would work for the few FT who are lucky to have the lurkers arrange things behind.
May 10, 2011, 11:07 am
#765
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,670
9 Successful BRG Claims - Sheraton Dallas North
This felt kind of like winning a small lottery. I was going to do some mattress running anyway for the Getaway Free Promo, and as I was checking availability, I found (and completed) nine of these:
-------------------------------------------------
Hotel Name: Sheraton Dallas North
Arrival Date : 05-28-2011
Departure Date : 05-29-2011
Room Type : Trad King
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 99.00
Company room provider : Expedia.com
Other Company room provider :
Competing rate : 62.37
Room Type: Traditional
Actual confirmed rate: $62.46USD plus tax
-------------------------------------------------
Repeated for 5/13, 6/4, 6/10, 6/18, 6/24, 7/2, 7/4, and 7/9.
I can't figure out where the $0.09 went, but who cares.
for $562.14+tax I get:
^
-------------------------------------------------
Hotel Name: Sheraton Dallas North
Arrival Date : 05-28-2011
Departure Date : 05-29-2011
Room Type : Trad King
Starwood Brand Web Site Room Rate : 99.00
Company room provider : Expedia.com
Other Company room provider :
Competing rate : 62.37
Room Type: Traditional
Actual confirmed rate: $62.46USD plus tax
-------------------------------------------------
Repeated for 5/13, 6/4, 6/10, 6/18, 6/24, 7/2, 7/4, and 7/9.
I can't figure out where the $0.09 went, but who cares.
for $562.14+tax I get:
- 26,424 StarPoints (base + plat + amenity + FourSquare + BRG)
- 9 stay credits
- 3 free Resort Night Awards (worth at least $1,677 to me)
^