The basic deal is that the hotels want you to make reservations directly on their sites but if you find a cheaper rate on some other site (except for Hotwire and Priceline usually), they will match the lower rate plus offer something else. There are a lot of rules and restrictions so make sure you read them.
Below are the various hotel chains and their offers. If there is no direct link for a specific hotel, go the first hotel listed in the group.
Best Western Match lower room rates plus 10% off Best Westernthanks JeebusSaves
Caesars Match lower room rates plus 25% off Caesars Palace Las Vegas Hilton Bally's Las Vegas Flamingo Las Vegas Paris Las Vegas Flamingo Laughlin Reno Hilton Caesars Tahoe Atlantic City Hilton Bally's Atlantic City Caesars Atlantic City Caesars Indiana Grand Casino Biloxi Grand Casino Gulfport Grand Casino Tunica Bally's Tunica Sheraton Tunica
Choice Match lower room rates plus 10% off Comfort Inn Quality Comfort Suites Sleep Inn MainStay Suites Econo Lodge Rodeway Inn Clarion
Extended Stay Match lower room rates plus 10% off Extended StayAmerica StudioPLUS Crossland
Hyatt Match lower room rates plus 20% off Hyatt Hotels
Hilton Match lower room rates plus a $50 gift check Hilton Doubletree Doubletree Guest Suites Doubletree Club Hotel® Hampton Inn Hampton Inn & Suites Conrad Hotels Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Grand Vacations Company® Embassy Suites Hotels Homewood Suites by Hilton
InterContinental Match lower room rates plus 10% off InterContinental Hotel & Resorts Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts Holiday Inn Express Express by Holiday Inn Staybridge Suites by Holiday Inn
Marriott Match lower room rates plus 25% off Marriott Hotels & Resorts JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts Renaissance Hotels & Resorts Courtyard Fairfield Inn SpringHill Suites Residence Inn TownePlace Suites Marriott Conference Centers Marriott Vacation Club International
Starwood Match lower room rates plus 10% off or 2,000 loyalty points Westin Sheraton Four Points by Sheraton St. Regis The Luxury Collection W Hotels Aladdin
EDIT: Orbitz(If you book a prepaid hotel rate that's backed by our Low Price Guarantee, and then find the same room, in the same hotel, for the same dates, at a lower price online within 24 hours, we'll refund the difference.) and Expedia.com(If you find a better price online for your exact trip within 24 hours, we'll refund the difference—and we'll give you a $50 travel coupon.) have similar best price guarantees.
Users like you can add images, links and other relevant information about this topic.
posted: May. 4, 2004 @ 1:21p
ehbis
Member
posted: May. 4, 2004 @ 3:01p
I believe this is true of all the Hilton family hotels.
OmegaDeal
Senior Member - 1K
posted: May. 5, 2004 @ 2:03a
It is also tough to do. I booked one on Hilton.com a couple of weeks ago. I then found it on another website for cheaper. I thought I had made a quick $50 and filled out the form. Hilton replied that they couldn't "verify" the rate the other website was quoting.
I said fine, and booked through the other website. I now had two reservations and sent Hilton my confirmation number for the second one asking if it was enough verification. They never responded.
Yes I could call, complain, etc., but I just wanted to point out that the program isn't as truthful as presented.
Most of the hotel chains are now claiming to have the lowest rates by booking directly through the hotel's website. Basically, the hotels are trying to cut out travel agents and other travel websites (expedia, hotels.com, orbitz, etc.) The problem is in the fine print...
One huge loophole is that the low rate guarantee doe not apply to rates obtained through Priceline or Hotwire.
If I was booking a hotel, I would still check the hotel's website, but don't fall for their hollow promises and not check the rates at a few other places too.
frugalN2cute
Thrifty Member
posted: May. 9, 2004 @ 12:27p
Cornelius said: Most of the hotel chains are now claiming to have the lowest rates by booking directly through the hotel's website. Basically, the hotels are trying to cut out travel agents and other travel websites (expedia, hotels.com, orbitz, etc.) The problem is in the fine print...
One huge loophole is that the low rate guarantee doe not apply to rates obtained through Priceline or Hotwire.
If I was booking a hotel, I would still check the hotel's website, but don't fall for their hollow promises and not check the rates at a few other places too.Days inn has the lowest rates on thier website.
This is a very good thread. Yes, sadly all the hotel websites seem to be working pretty hard to keep their prices at the best price so nobody undercuts them.. I spent about 2hrs looking around to try to get a free night from cendant (daysinn, travelodge, etc) but found nothing that undercut them.. I even tried all the obscure searchengines like travelaxe..
Anyways, for cendant http://www.triprewards.com/ is an easy way to get a listing of all of their hotel prices without visiting each hotel site seperatly.
Good luck all! If anyone gets a free night outta it let us know!!
needadvice
Senior Member
posted: Jun. 14, 2004 @ 2:30p
Good news for you fellows!
Yesterday I made a booking for Hampton (Hilton family) in Canada thru Hilton. Then decided to look around the websites - and did find a lower rate. Called Hilton trying to clarify which sites thay match and one representative totally lied to me by saying that they match THEIR own website price - which is stupid comment of course. I felt that she is lying and called back to speak to someone else.
anyway, gave it a try with a claim by filling out form on the web. Just got the answer - that they approved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and will send me AMEX check via FedAx. I will end up paying less than 50% for the room.
So I guess I can say it works!
argonosiru
Ancient Member
posted: Jun. 14, 2004 @ 2:49p
needadvice said: Good news for you fellows!
Called Hilton trying to clarify which sites thay match and one representative totally lied to me by saying that they match THEIR own website price - which is stupid comment of course. I felt that she is lying and called back to speak to someone else.
So I guess I can say it works!
Thats scandelous. Do these Reps get a commission for denying the price match? or are they just really trying to work hard for the company without getting anythign from it? whats the bottomline behind a reps motives to help a customer out? anyone know? thanks
needadvice
Senior Member
posted: Jun. 14, 2004 @ 4:16p
well, she didn't deny it. she lied about the policy because explaination on their website to me was vague. it says that they don't match negotiated group rates and at the same time they honor supposedly any site but not opaque. I am glad the claim form contained an example of expedia. But she (Hilton rep) said - no we don't match expedia, only our own website. and she was persistent about it and hanged up!
her demeanor was clearly showing that whether she is lying or doesn't know what she is talking about.
the irony is also another company - British Airways. they never know their partners. very incompetent. I learn stuff from their websites and then give them info about the company they work for in Customer service. they should be explaining info to mne, not vice versa.
I can't imagine how many people are brushed off with such incompetent personnel. And end up not going to vacations or overpaying for services based on false info obtained from such reps.
gleff
Senior Member
posted: Jun. 14, 2004 @ 7:01p
Cornelius said: One huge loophole is that the low rate guarantee doe not apply to rates obtained through Priceline or Hotwire.The flipside, though, is that PL and Hotwire offer their own rate guarantees.
Hotwire is uniquely easy to work with. IIRC they'll give you back double the difference in rate. Neat thing is that occasionally they have some crazy high mistake rates... a knowledgeable Hotwire user can spot an $89 room for $400.. buy it... and get double the difference ($318 x 2) back. Net profit = $236. Someone will correct me here, but I believe an eagle-eyed user can make up to $1k a year this way...
dupon
Senior Member
posted: Jun. 17, 2004 @ 1:41p
how to figure out it's 89 instead of 400?
Techgirl
Happy Member
posted: Jun. 18, 2004 @ 4:53a
This is a great thread. Thanks, OP!
I just got a free night validated with Howard Johnson Inn - Chicago Downtown yesterday. First, I booked the best available rate quoted on the hotel website at $83.00 for a night. Later, I found both TraveloCitiy and Orbitz had cheaper rates at $80 and $75, respectively. So, I submitted a claim using the on-line form, and in about an hour, got a email response for a confirmed free night. My first try with this kind of program and succeeded. Not only does it work with Howard Johnson, but also quite efficient. My only concern is if this may affect the room quality I receive when checking in. Guess we'll have to wait to find out next month.
nicebargain
New Member
posted: Jun. 19, 2004 @ 6:25p
nice info ! ty
cdru
Member
posted: Jun. 23, 2004 @ 4:03p
Yes, thank you OP. you saved me %25.
Marriott had Towneplace Suite Cincinnati NE at $85. Expedia and a few others had it at $79. I ended up getting it at $59.25 for a Friday night 2 days away. It's still 2x the $25 I paid for the room the next night on Priceline, but oh well.
joelfreak
Ancient Member
posted: Jun. 28, 2004 @ 5:22p
I booked with lodging.com when I knew that expedia.com had a lower rate, put in a claim, and low and behold, I got an actual check in the mail for the difference plus 10%!
Reid
kittyz
Member
posted: Jul. 6, 2004 @ 2:15p
wonder if this works with expedia through howard johnshon do youi know?
kittyz said: wonder if this works with expedia through howard johnshon do youi know? Howard Johnson is included in the OP. Check the Terms & Conditions before applying for the guarantee.
kittyz
Member
posted: Jul. 6, 2004 @ 6:11p
UPDATE: IT says n the website you will hear from them within 4 hours it has been olmaot 6 now so i guess im not getting a response. there is no proof i even sent them the email. i guess i will call in the am since there is a 24 hour period that this must be done within
well I just found a deal in miami for howard johnson. i need it for a medical trip too! i booked it and sent in my claim. but i spent all day researching, calling to verify it as the lowest rate they offered on the website and the phone (it was the same rate) then i found the same room on 2 other websites. Expedia and travelnow.com they try to trick you with ammenities added such as a refrigerater or 'partial' ocean view but unless they just out right lie on there website they owe me a free night, i submitted both lower offers on one claim form plus i have screen shots. I called first do get details from a howard johnson rep . I said i am inquiring about the best rate gaurantee , how does it work? she said i have to go to another website that offers a lower price NOT howard johnson and buy it THERE then call them with the info. I asked 3 times if she sure because it reads on the website that you must buy it through them directly then get a confirmation number ..nowhere did i see that you buy it from the other websites. its confusing or she was trying to throw me off. kind of crappy if you ask me surly the employees know the rules and if they are lying to customers like that its wrong. well i got 3 hours left nd ill know if i get my free night 'cross my fingers' i bought mine at hojo.com
needadvice
Senior Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2004 @ 1:05a
Kittyz,
it is very simple. you do not have to buy or reserve a room through competitor's website. you book a room with HJ. then find a lower room rate through another website - for example, expedia, Travelocity, etc. save it. make sure it is the same room type. fill out a claim form on the HJ web site. you should hear from them within 4 hours during business hours. And yu are correct - they don'r send you confirmation that you made a claim. Simply call thier customer service and they will transfer you to the department which handles best rate. Once they verify this claim - it takes them a minute to do so, they will change your reservation rate to 0$ - free night and send you an email.
Good Luck!
kittyz
Member
posted: Jul. 7, 2004 @ 11:04a
wow they are strict. for expeedia even though it says the room types are for queen and double. when you go to book it it says 1 queen size bed. so since i asked for a double i didnt qualify.
but travelnow.com i qualified by $4.70, thank you guys so much!
any good "Best Hotel Rate Guarantees" for vegas 7/23-24 (fri nite)
dudeman82
New Member
posted: Jul. 18, 2004 @ 1:32p
OmegaDeal said: It is also tough to do. I booked one on Hilton.com a couple of weeks ago. I then found it on another website for cheaper. I thought I had made a quick $50 and filled out the form. Hilton replied that they couldn't "verify" the rate the other website was quoting.
I said fine, and booked through the other website. I now had two reservations and sent Hilton my confirmation number for the second one asking if it was enough verification. They never responded.
Yes I could call, complain, etc., but I just wanted to point out that the program isn't as truthful as presented.
Yep EXACT same thing happened to me! Your situation is an carbon replication of mine. I just decided to go ahead and use the lower-cost reservation, since it was a great deal (I think about $100 for a suite at Homewood).
Im not sure if the OP is right or not but I just price matched with howard johnson and they only gave me the first night free but did not match the rate for the remaining nights - did they just change their policy?
Step 4: Assuming our customer service agent confirms your Howard Johnson booking and that the rate on the competing web site is available and bookable and is lower than Howard Johnson’s Best Available Rate, the customer service agent will modify your reservation to reflect your first night free and uphold its Best Rate or It’s Free Guarantee policy! We will notify the hotel of the change in rate for your confirmed reservation.
It appears you should get both the free night and the lower rate.
Step 4: Assuming our customer service agent confirms your Howard Johnson booking and that the rate on the competing web site is available and bookable and is lower than Howard Johnson’s Best Available Rate, the customer service agent will modify your reservation to reflect your first night free and uphold its Best Rate or It’s Free Guarantee policy! We will notify the hotel of the change in rate for your confirmed reservation.
It appears you should get both the free night and the lower rate.
called them up - no go. apparently they only give you one free night.
I was searching on www.arestravel.com and found the 1 bedroom suite at Park Inn & Suites in Anaheim for $69.00/nite. I checked on Parkinn.com and found the same room at $135/nite.
I then made a reservation on Parkinn.com and then proceeded to file a claim with them. They have a Best Rate Guarantee (match plus 25% off).
This is the reply I got from them today:
Thank you for taking the time to write.
We appreciate your recent message.
We appreciate your submission of a Best Online Rate Guarantee form. We have researched your claim and found that we cannot honor it. Per the terms and conditions, the Best Online rate Guarantee includes the room rate only and does not include any taxes or tariffs (i.e. federal, state, provincial, or local), or any guest fees or charges which may be imposed by the hotel on the guest's stay and can not be combined with any other offers and discounts. The rate quoted on the third party website includes taxes and fees where the rate through parkinn.com is for the room only.
Also, as stated in the terms and conditions, the lower rate on the third party website must have the same rate terms or restrictions (i.e. the rate guarantee and rate cancellation policies) prior to awarding the Best Online Rate Guarantee. The rate on the third party website is charged in full at the time of booking and there is a penalty for canceling. Through Park Inn, the reservation is not charged until the time of check out and guests have 3 days prior to the arrival date to cancel the reservation with no penalty.
We apologize for the inconvenience.
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to assist you.
Regards,
Nikki Customer Service Lead Specialist 1562194
I've noticed that most of the 3rd party website will charge you a cancellation fee but the hotel's direct websites won't.... and this was one of the reasons they did not honor this "best rate guarantee".
In cases like this, there is no way we can get this guarantee to work?
the hotel price matchers are like that. basically, get the rate of the room on the 3rd party site without fees and such - your rate will be even lower, and according to the email, they have to honor the even lower rate since it doesn't included taxes. They always screw themselves over like that.
stinkypinky
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 12, 2004 @ 8:51p
hey everyone thanks for the 411 I really like this kinda stuff
IrateConsumer
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Nov. 20, 2004 @ 1:48a
Looking for hotel & car rental deals in Kauai, Hawaii from December 26, 2004 through January 9, 2004.
Place on beach would be great. Need 5 days in hotel for two adults and 14 day car rental /convertible.
Any ideas?
IrateConsumer "Because even the Irate Consumer needs to take a Holiday..."
peopo
Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2004 @ 4:07p
Best Rate is a free rate!
I'd recommend signing up for the Total Rewards card. It's a 1 card for Harrah's/Rio/Harvey's/Showboat. You start off as a gold member and as you gamble you move up to platinum then to a diamond status. I don't gamble much but by signing up they send you offer codes in the mail for free rooms and food. You can also check your account online. I've been staying at Rio for free everytime I go to vegas and Harvey's for free at Lake Tahoe. Of course they encourage you to gamble but you don't have to.
http://www.harrahs.com/TotalRewards/TotalRewards
Toad
Senior Member - 2K
posted: Dec. 17, 2004 @ 1:02a
OmegaDeal said: It is also tough to do. I booked one on Hilton.com a couple of weeks ago. I then found it on another website for cheaper. I thought I had made a quick $50 and filled out the form. Hilton replied that they couldn't "verify" the rate the other website was quoting.
I said fine, and booked through the other website. I now had two reservations and sent Hilton my confirmation number for the second one asking if it was enough verification. They never responded.
Yes I could call, complain, etc., but I just wanted to point out that the program isn't as truthful as presented.
CTRL P Print out the site with the low fare. Then Fax it to them. That is your proof...........that's if you wanted to go that far.
I tried getting the Renaissance Fallsview in Niagara Falls, ON on Priceline, but was unsucessful (I believe because it's a Saturday check-in). Anyway, I found a rate that would be comparable with PL if I could do Marriott's Look No Further Guarantee. I first tried a rate I found on hotelclub.net:
Hotelclub.net was offering a rate of $75USD. It was denied:
According to our review of the site with which your comparison was made, reservations are not confirmed to guests at the time of the initial transaction...
...Please be aware that many travel suppliers offering packaged vacation experiences, similar to the offer with which your comparison was made, issue travel vouchers to their customers. Due to pre-existing contractual arrangements, pre-paid rates that involve a voucher (including electronic vouchers) for a hotel stay are also excluded from Marriott's Look No Further(SM) Best Rate Guarantee.
Then I tried to do it using Orbitz; they had a rate of $81.59USD. I was sucessful:
Thank you for submitting a claim for Marriott's Look No Further(SM) Best Rate Guarantee. We received a claim from you for the following reservation:
We have reviewed your claim and have made the following modification to your reservation:
Rate: $74.96 Canadian Dollars Reservation Confirmation Number: XXXXXXXXXXXX
The room rate listed above reflects your nightly room rate, before tax, and an additional 25% discount for submitting a successful claim according to the terms of Marriott's Look No Further(SM) Best Rate Guarantee.
Thank you for choosing Marriott.
The original rate offered by Marriott was $149.99CAD.
I was searching for an inexpensive hotel around LAX for one nite. I found Super 8 for $53/nite on their website. Then I searched on Orbitz and found the same room for $42.
I made the reservation at Super8 website and then filed the Best Rate Guarantee form. It states a rep. will get back to you within 4 hours. I filed the claim around midnite Hawaii time (6 am EastCoast).
About 1pm Hawaii time ... 13 hours later, still no replies! I called their Claims Department and the rep. said they have been swamped but will get on it right away.
About 2 hours later, I finally received an email but it states a lower rate is now available on their website ($39.75) so they gave me the lower rate instead.
Isn't this illegal practice? 1) they didn't reply back within 4 hours but almost 15 hours later. 2) obviously, they changed the website to offer the lower rate!
When I made the call around 1pm, their website still showed the higher rate.
I just called them but they said there's nothing they can do because their site showed the lower rate when they went to my claim.
nope. Cendant is a complete fraud on their best rate guarantee offer. They'll stall and then lower their rate before responding to you. They'll also find every possible excuse not to honor their guarantee.
animatedLady
Senior Member
posted: Mar. 7, 2005 @ 11:14a
thankx
tupeloshoney
Shopaholic Member
posted: Mar. 9, 2005 @ 4:58p
IrateConsumer said: Looking for hotel & car rental deals in Kauai, Hawaii from December 26, 2004 through January 9, 2004.
Place on beach would be great. Need 5 days in hotel for two adults and 14 day car rental /convertible.
Any ideas?
IrateConsumer "Because even the Irate Consumer needs to take a Holiday..."
I was on Oahu and Hawaii last year, had a connection so got a $1300 room for $175. Can't help you with a room, but for car rental, Enterprise is the cheapest. The hotels you stay at try to hook you into booking with them and they charge you 3 times more. I got a 2003 Accord Sedan for $39 a day, whereas the hotel was offering a Hertz Cavalier coupe for $75 a day. Just make Enterprise reservations in advance to make sure they have cars available.
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