Hotel Best Rate Guarantees (BRGs) are a fantastic, yet often underutilized, way to save money on your hotel stays. Major chains like Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG all offer them, promising to match a lower price you find elsewhere – and often sweetening the deal with an extra discount or bonus points. But beware, these guarantees come with rules, exceptions, and potential for frustration. RewardSmart is here to help you play the BRG game like a pro.

Understanding the Basics

Before you even start searching for lower rates, familiarize yourself with the specific BRG policies of the hotel chains you frequent. Typically, you need to find a lower publicly available rate on a third-party booking site (like Expedia or Booking.com) for the exact same hotel, room type, dates, and number of guests. The devil is in the details! Pay close attention to cancellation policies – they must be identical. Many chains also exclude rates from opaque booking sites (where you don't know the hotel until after you book) or member-only deals.

Finding Those Lower Rates

Don't just settle for the first price you see on the hotel's website. Use a variety of search engines and compare rates across multiple platforms. Kayak, Google Hotels, and Momondo are great places to start. Also, consider smaller, regional travel sites. Sometimes you'll find surprisingly lower prices. Remember to take screenshots of the lower rate, including the website URL and the exact details of the offer. This will be crucial documentation for your claim.

Making a Successful Claim

Once you've found a lower rate and gathered your evidence, it's time to file your claim. Act quickly! Most chains require you to submit your claim within 24 hours of making your original booking directly with the hotel. Follow the specific instructions on the hotel's website for submitting a BRG claim. Be prepared to provide all the necessary documentation, including screenshots and links to the lower rate. Be polite but persistent. If your claim is initially denied, don't give up! Review the reason for denial carefully and address any issues. Sometimes, a simple clarification or additional screenshot can make all the difference.

Maximizing Rewards with the Right Credit Card

Here's where RewardSmart shines! Once your BRG claim is approved, make sure to pay for your discounted stay with the right credit card. If you're staying at a Marriott, use your Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card to earn bonus points on your stay. Similarly, use your Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card at Hilton properties. If you don't have a hotel-branded card, use a general travel rewards card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture Rewards Card to earn points or miles on your purchase. These cards often offer bonus points on travel purchases, further maximizing your rewards.

Example Scenario

Let's say you booked a 3-night stay at a Hyatt Regency for $200 per night, totaling $600. You then find the same room on Expedia for $175 per night, totaling $525. You submit a BRG claim to Hyatt. If approved, Hyatt might match the $175 rate and offer an additional 20% discount, bringing your total cost down to $420. Plus, you still earn World of Hyatt points and elite night credits for your stay! Pay with your World of Hyatt Credit Card and rack up even more points.

Key Takeaway

Mastering the art of Best Rate Guarantees can unlock significant savings on your hotel stays, especially when combined with the right credit card strategy. Do your research, be persistent, and always pay with a card that earns bonus rewards on travel purchases. Start saving today!