IHG a Best Rate Guarantee - help appreciated

[Anastascia]

Hi all,

I booked a room at IC Sydney at $479 for the night and then found exact same room on Asia Travel for $349 a night. I took a screen shot of the rate, booked the room again on Asia Travel and submitted a BRG claim. It was declined as they advised the rate could not be located. I then sent them the screen shot and it was declined again. I did not advise them I had actually booked the cheaper rate as I thought the screen shot would suffice.

Should I send them my booking confirmation from Asia Travel? Both are flexible bookings so I will cancel IHG booking if my claim is not accepted.

Why do they decline these claims because the cheaper rate can no longer be found? If it's a good rate on another site, it's probably just sold out which is understandable but I don't see how this can be a valid reason to decline claims if you have proof of the cheaper rate.

 

[zainman]

calling markis10... IHG BRG expert

 

[Rick93]

This BRG is a mystery to me ...

How do you 'apply' for it ?

I had a booking from the PP website. Later asked the hotel to alter it ( due to impending loss of RA ).

They changed my rate to $xx_, and I went back to the PP site to check.

Sure enough, the PP site was still offering a cheaper rate ...

Back to hotel, who asked for 'screen-shot'. I mentioned 'BRG', but no reaction ...

I assume, they hate giving this benefit out, so how do you 'push' for it ??

( did my situation as above qualify ?? )

 

[markis10]

You apply for it online, IHG | Best Price Guarantee Form. They are a lot more tight on rules than others as they have had a few occasions where they have seen the program exploited excessively. I have had a number of stays that were successful but prefer the SPG scheme which is a lot easier and gives you $60 of SPG points, which is not bad when your on a room rate less than $100.

 

[Rick93]

Thanks for the tip.

I have lodged a 'form'.

Will report back any result.

 

[Rick93]

Well, guess how long it takes for IHG to get back to you, after you lodge a form / request for something that 'may' cost them ???

I got a full response back in less than four (4) hours !!!

Of course, the answer was "no" ...

They explained all very nicely, that PP is a 'partner' brand / website, and therefore does not attract the BRG ( which they seem to be calling BPG ( Best Price Guarantee ).

Naturally, I'm in shock ...

 

[JohnK]

Don't get caught out with the currency of the hotel vs currency of the third party provider.