Step-By-Step Best Rate Guarantee Process

I try and book all of my hotel rooms through finding a Best Rate Guarantee through the major chain hotels such as Hyatt, Marriott, Starwood and Hilton.  The exception would be if I was booking a room through Virtuoso, in which the benefits can far outweigh the savings by finding a better rate elsewhere.

Virtuoso benefits typically include a one level upgrade upon availability, breakfast for two and a 4 PM late check-out.  Other benefits include lunch or dinner for two, or a $100 Food and Beverage, or Spa credit though this last benefit varies by property.

I have found that utilizing the Best Rate Guarantee program from each of the major chains is easiest with Starwood and Marriott.

I will start my search in the city or area that I am staying.  If loyal to one hotel chain, go to their website as a starting point.  I then go to one of my go to websites as referenced below.  Obviously if you are more flexibly in the properties you are willing to stay at dramatically increases your chances of finding a successful Best Rate Guarantee candidate.

With Starwood you don't even have to make a reservation to file a claim, which makes it especially powerful on pre-paid non-refundable rates.  Simply fill out the claim form with the required information of your name, email address, SPG number, and property information.  You will also be asked for the rate on the SPG site, as well as the better rate found and the website where it can be found.  Lastly, you will be asked for whether you wish to have an additional 10% off, or an extra 2,000 Starpoints.

With Marriott, you must book your room first using the Marriott website and then file you claim.  This can be risky on a pre-paid non-refundable rate as you will have no recourse if your claim is denied.  It has been my experience that Marriott is very fair in the claim review process, and I have only been denied on claims less than 10% of the time.

Marriott's Website

On a recent search, I found the JW Marriott Jakarta for $150 on their website.  In doing a search, which usually starts with either www.kayak.com, www.hotelscombined.com, www.otel.com, www.otels.com and www.olotels.com

Kayak's Website

I was able to find a lower rate on Kayak using www.booking.com.  When you click on the www.booking.com site however, you will notice that the rate is not displayed as the advertised $148 per night, but rather jumps up to $181.  This is due to the fact that the tax has now been included in the rate, whereas the $150 advertised on Marriott's website does not.  In looking at this property several days earlier, the rate was $146 on Kayak's own website.  I filed a claim, which was successful, and my rate was lowered to $109.76 before tax.

Here is part of the email you will receive after making a successful claim.

">> 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:
>>
>> Hotel:  JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta
>> Arrival Date:  November 15, 2013
>>
>>
>> We have reviewed your claim and have made the following modification to your reservation:
>>
>> Rate:  $109.76
>> >>
>> 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."

Good luck in your search.

If anybody has any requests or needs help in finding a Best Rate Guarantee property I will be happy to help.  I will try to post a sample on a weekly basis.