BRGs - Help Me Beat Hotel Rate

[travelislife]

I am confused - isn't that what BRGs are for? Find a cheaper rate - go back to hotel - say hey here is cheaper rate? What am I missing?

Exactly! But IHG will not allow it! Hence their BRG is a scam!

 

[Moindardt]

I am confused - isn't that what BRGs are for? Find a cheaper rate - go back to hotel - say hey here is cheaper rate? What am I missing?

The fundamental reason for BRG's is so that you book directly with the hotel chain and maintain loyalty with them. Most hotel scheme's do not earn points on OTA's or credits for the nights, as they have to pay commission to them. All the reasons trippin says also form part of the why from their side as well. However, you must follow the rules otherwise it is a waste of time.

From our point of view, it gives us the best of all worlds. We earn points, we get credit AND we get it at 20% cheaper than anyone else. You get all the benefits related to your status and it also means you can apply Suite Night Awards (if you have any).

For example, I recently stayed at Grosvenor House, Dubai. The base room was 1100AED + taxes a night prepaid. The only rate including breakfast was the flexi with breakfast at 1320AED+tax (approx). I found a rate of 867.17AED including breakfast on otel.com. My confirmed rate was 693.74AED+taxes including breakfast (867.17AED - 20%). I earned 5625 points and 3 nts credit for my 3 night stay. It was the equivalent of $292 per night including taxes & breakfast for the #3 rated hotel in Dubai. If I was staying 4 nights I found prices for 710AED (no breakfast) which would have come down to 568AED/nt. This was done 2 days beforehand. I have heard of people getting it under 500AED. 4for3 would have gotten it down to 990AED+taxes as a data point.

It is not easy to do it, however, because it is flexible, you book as early as you can and check it regularly.

The biggest difference to the 4for3 is that it is any room, any number of nights, up to 3 rooms, every hotel, no blackout dates (I BRG'ed Sheraton Time Square for New Years Eve) and almost every place can be done. But it takes work.

 

[amaroo]

Had my first (little) win with BRG

Park Hyatt NYC - rate changed from full pre-paid, non-refundable to fully flex and payment at hotel ... matched to ooking.com.

All the better given the recent rise in A$, and the likely drop in room rates over the coming weeks.

 

[Haplo]

I find you can BRG when the official changed their BAR but the OTA haven't updated their price, however you need to be quick as usually it is only a few hours.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Slightly OT but I just had a win with hotels.com BRG. We recently spent 6nts at Palazzo Magnani Feroni in FLR - first 4nts booked through Citi 4 for 3 promo and other 2 nts booked through hotels.com on their 10nt get 1nt Free deal booked through Cashrewards so eff about 13% off hotels.com rate.

BUT - I then found booking direct with hotel was €110 cheaper for the 2nts - €909 down to €799 - so after chasing up hotels.com BRG they have sent me €110 voucher to use on a future booking within next 12mths.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

What do you do with SPG if you receive an email spouting a China special of hotel room rates at RMBxx_ but when you click through the link it prices at RMBYYY - anyone to contact or is it just bad luck buddy?

 

[Moindardt]

Ring the SPG hotline.

 

[Isochronous]

If anyone can help me BRG hotel Bristol in WAS I would be most appreciative. Currently have it booked for about 500PLN

 

[get me outta here]

When you do a BRG, IME, it usually needs to be the exact same room description, same date, same inclusions and same currency.

If anyone can help me BRG hotel Bristol in WAS I would be most appreciative. Currently have it booked for about 500PLN

 

[JohnK]

Slightly OT but I just had a win with hotels.com BRG. We recently spent 6nts at Palazzo Magnani Feroni in FLR - first 4nts booked through Citi 4 for 3 promo and other 2 nts booked through hotels.com on their 10nt get 1nt Free deal booked through Cashrewards so eff about 13% off hotels.com rate.

Off topic slightly but I seem to recall that Hotels.com mentions any booking originating from cashback sites will not accumulate free nights. Also any bookings from their website using a discount code are not eligible for free nights.

If you have managed to bypass these conditions and best rate guarantee then you've done well.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Yes Johnny the 2 nt stay I refer to are indeed showing in my hotels.com Rewards profile and Cashrewards rebate also showing.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Although an industry article and highly focused to 'member only' rates and rate parity issues....
This article highlights how to get the best rate almost every time using BRGs.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/want-lowest-hotel-rate-dont-book-direct-mark-ross-smith