Save Up To 25% on Hotel Bookings

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Table of Contents

• The Discount
• The Rules
• The Process
• The Policy
• The Value
• Related: Airfare

The Discount

Have you ever come across the term “Best Price Guarantee” when booking a hotel? Have you dismissed it as a marketing slogan and irrelevant to you? Read on to see how you can save on your hotel bookings, plus earn extra hotel points to boot, by utilizing the Best Price Guarantee policy.

Many hotel chains offer a Best Price Guarantee for one simple reason: they want you to book directly with them, and not through a 3rd party site. In my travels I’ve found that it is generally better to book with hotel chains directly for several reasons, including earning status, points, free nights, upgrades, and more. I myself have utilized the Best Price Guarantee policy several times to save hundreds of dollars, but I’ve also attempted to utilize this policy and failed several times, because the rules are very nuanced, and must be followed to a tee for the Best Price Guarantee to be honored.

As a general rule the Best Price Guarantee policy states that if you book a hotel room directly with the managing hotel group (ie Hilton) and then find a cheaper rate available via a 3rd party (ie Expedia), then Hilton will match Expedia’s rate. All major hotel chains offer an additional perk, which is why the Best Price Guarantee is so valuable: they will extend a discount on your booking- as much as 25%, or offer additional points, when utilizing this policy.

Example: You booked a $800 weeklong stay at a Marriott hotel, and after reserving your room you notice that Expedia is offering the exact same stay for $790. By utilizing Marriott’s price match policy they will lower your rate to $790, plus offer an additional discount of 25%, resulting in you paying just $592.50 ($790 X 25%= $197.50 discount) for this reservation!

Another good use of this policy is if you booked a non-refundable rate, and the rate drops within 24 hours of booking. You are now locked into an expensive reservation with no way to rebook at the lower price. If you’re still within the first 24 hours of booking, you can submit a price match request by comparing your expensive rate to the new, lower, 3rd party available rate. Some 3rd party sites that also offer price match guarantees (more on that below) will even refund you the difference if the price drops at any time prior to check-in (including on non-refundable reservations!).

The Rules

You booked a vacation for a few days at a Hilton property, but minutes after completing your reservation you notice that Expedia has rooms available at the same hotel for less! Go ahead and compare your reservation to Expedia’s offer, to see if you qualify for a price-match. If you do this will not only net you Expedia’s cheaper price, but Hilton will extend an additional 25% discount on your room rate, and on top of that you get to earn Hilton points and nights!

• The comparison must be for an identical booking, word for word. This includes:
  • booking dates
  • room type: bed type (King, Queen etc), view type (balcony, city view, etc), and add-ons (such as breakfast included) must be be identical
  • cancellation policy: if one cancelation policy is up until 12am and one is until 11:59pm, then that is not the same cancelation policy
  • payment: the prepayment/deposit details must be identical
  • number of guests: if one search is for one guest and one is for two guests, then that is not identical
• The booking must be for the best available rate for your desired room type
  • You cannot book the most expensive rate on the hotel’s website (for example a double points package, or a non-member rate) and then submit a price match
• The price match claim form must be submitted within 24 hours of booking
• The price match claim form must be submitted at a certain point prior to hotel’s published check-in time. This means that if you book your hotel room within 24-48 hours of check-in, you might not be eligible for the price match policy.
  • Prior to check-in: Hilton
  • 24 hours prior to check-in: Hyatt, IHG, Marriott
  • 48 hours prior to check-in: Accor, Best Western, NH Hotel Group, Wyndham
  • 48 hours prior to 6am of check-in day: Choice Hotels
  • 48 hours prior to 12am local hotel time of check-in day: Radisson Hotels
• There is a minimum rate difference requirement: if you find a cheaper price on a 3rd party booking site, but the price for your total stay is less than the amount listed below, you will not be eligible for the price match policy.
  • 1% difference: Hilton, IHG
  • 1% or $1 difference (the lesser of the two): Choice Hotels
  • $1, €1, £1, etc difference: Best Western, Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, Wyndham
  • €2 difference: NH Hotel Group
  • 5% or €5 difference (the lesser of the two): Accor
• The cheaper price must be available via a reputable 3rd party booking site
  • If you’re unsure which 3rd party sites are considered reputable, stick to OTAs such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Orbitz, or Travelocity
  • Sites that do not require a credit card to complete a booking are not eligible
  • Sites that do not specify the hotel prior to booking (such as Hotwire’s ‘HotRate’) are not eligible
• The cheaper price must be publicly available, and not include promotion codes, member-only rates, or mobile discounts
  • If you are logged into your Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com etc account we recommend logging out to ensure that the price you are viewing for comparison is not a member-only rate
• Most hotel chains will require you to be a member of their program to submit a price match request
  • You can sign up for the hotel’s program prior to submitting the price-match request- you do not have to be a member in advance
• Certain brands or locations may be excluded from the price match policy
  • see “The Policy” section below for exclusion details
• Hotel bookings that are part of a travel package (such as bundled airfare or car rental) do not qualify
• Group bookings, such as 7+ rooms are usually not eligible
• Bookings that have an employee discount or corporate discount applied are not eligible

The Process

• If you find a lower price via a 3rd party booking site, take screenshots of the lower rate. Your screenshot should include all pertinent details such as room type, cancelation policy, and taxes and fees. The easiest way to get all this information on one page is generally on the checkout page. Most hotel chains will require you to submit a screenshot of the lower rate, to receive the price match and additional discount/points.
• If you submit your claim form online, rather than over the phone, keep in mind that the 3rd party booking site might adjust their price by the time an agent reviews your claim, and it will not be approved if the price is no longer lower when the agent reviews it.
• Compare both the room rate and the after tax rate- both should be lower than your booking with the hotel chain to qualify for the price match policy. Note that if booking a resort, many 3rd party sites do not include resort fees, which are charged directly by the hotel, while many hotel chains do include resort fees in the quoted price. If the difference in price is as a result of the missing resort fees, your price match claim will not be honored.

The Policy

Here’s a sample list of some hotel groups that offer Best Price Guarantees, along with the necessary claim form to file for the discount:

• Accor
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 25% discount
    • Bookings at Raffles, Fairmont, & Swissotel will receive at a 10% discount
    • Hotels located in Macao are not eligible for the price match policy.
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Fairmont, Raffles, Swissôtel, Sofitel, So Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, Pullman, MGallery, Mövenpick, Grand Mercure, The Sebel, Novotel, Novotel Suites, Mercure, Adagio, Adagio Access, Jo&Joe, Ibis, Ibis Styles, Ibis budget, HotelF1, hôtels Orbis, 21C Museum Hotel, Orient Express, Mama Shelter, Hypark by Adagio, 25Hours, Angsana, ArtSeries, BanyanTree, BreakFree, Cassia, Delano, Dhawa, Elan, Greet, Hanting, Hi inn, Hyde, Ji, Mantis, Mantra, Manxin, Mondrian, Onefinestay, PepperS, Rixos, Sbe, SLS, Starway, The House Of Originals, Tribe
    • Bookings at 25Hours, Angsana, ArtSeries, BanyanTree, BreakFree, Cassia, Delano, Dhawa, Elan, Greet, Hanting, Hi inn, Hyde, Ji, Mantis, Mantra, Manxin, Mondrian, Onefinestay, PepperS, Rixos, Sbe, SLS, Starway, The House Of Originals, Tribe are not eligible for the price match policy.
• Best Western
  • Policy: Matches lower price + $100 Best Western Gift Card
    • Only valid for hotels located in North America
    • Limited to one gift card per household every 30 days, although price match will be honored even if a gift card was received within 30 days.
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Best Western, Best Western Plus, Best Western Premier, Vīb, GLō, Aiden, Sadie, BW Premier Collection, BW Signature Collection, @HOME by Best WesternSM, Executive Residency by Best Western, WorldHotels Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive, WorldHotels Crafted, BSureStay, SureStay Plus, SureStay Collection, SureStay Studio.
• Choice Hotels
  • Policy: Matches lower price + $50 prepaid card for US & Canadian residents
    • International guests will receive the first night of their reservation free
    • Limited to one claim every 30 days
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Ascend Hotel Collection, Cambria Hotels, Comfort Inn & Suites, Country Inn & Suites, Sleep Inn, Quality Inn, Clarion, Clarion Pointe, MainStay Suites, Everhome Suites, WoodSpring Suites, Suburban Studios, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn (Radisson Hotels are listed separately)
    • Only bookings at Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Cambria Hotels, Ascend Hotel Collection (excluding property in Las Vegas that include a casino), Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn are eligible for the price match policy.
• Hilton
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 25% discount
    • Hampton by Hilton hotels located in China are not eligible for the price match policy.
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Signia by Hilton, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Tempo by Hilton, Motto by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Spark by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Hyatt
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 20% discount or 5,000 Hyatt points
    • Bookings at UrCove, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and Small Luxury Hotels of the World are not eligible for the price match policy.
    • Each claim may include only one room, and a maximum of three claims per night are permitted (claims are capped at 3 rooms per night)
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Park Hyatt, Miraval, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt, Andaz, Hyatt Centric, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, Hyatt Place, Hyatt House, Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Alila, JdV by Hyatt, Destination by Hyatt, Caption by Hyatt, Hyatt Vivid Hotel & Resorts, Thompson Hotels, Breathless Resorts & Spas, Sunscape Resorts & Spas, Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts, Impression by Secrets, Secrets Resorts & Spas, Dreams Resorts & Spas, Alua Hotels & Resorts, UrCove, Small Luxury Hotels of the World
• IHG
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 5X IHG points (capped at 40,000 points)
    • Hotels located in Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan are not eligible for the price match policy.
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Six Senses, Regent, Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels, Hotel Indigo, Voco, Hualuxe, Even, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Garner, Avid, Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Candlewood Suites, Iberostar
    • Iberostar properties are not eligible for the price match policy.
• Marriott
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 25% discount or 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points
    • Bookings at Design Hotels will receive a 20% discount
    • A maximum of 3 rooms are allowed per claim
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, St. Regis, JW Marriott, The Luxury Collection, W Hotels, Edition, Marriott Hotels, Sheraton, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Westin, Le Méridien, Renaissance Hotels, Gaylord Hotels, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points​ by Sheraton, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, AC Hotels, Aloft Hotels, Moxy Hotels, Protea​, City Express by Marriott, Four Points Express by Sheraton, Residence Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, Element Hotels, Autograph Collection, Design Hotels, Tribute Portfolio Hotels, MGM Collection
    • Bookings at The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, The Ritz London, Ritz-Carlton Residences, The Ritz-Carlton Club, all-inclusive properties, MGM Collection and Elegant Hotels are not eligible for the price match policy.
• NH Hotel Group
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 10% discount
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: NH Collection Hotels, NH Hotels, nhow, Anantara Hotels, Avani Hotels, Elewana Collection, Oaks Hotels, Tivoli Hotels
• Radisson Hotels
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 25% discount
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Radisson, Radisson Collection, Radisson Individuals, Radisson Blu, Radisson RED, Park Plaza by Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, prizeotel
• Wyndham
  • Policy: Matches lower price + 3,000 Wyndham points
    • Only one price match claim allowed per calendar month
    • Hotels located outside the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East, or Africa are not eligible for the price match policy.
  • Claim Form
  • Brands: Registry Collection Hotels, Wyndham Grand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts, Esplendor Boutique Hotels, Dazzler Hotels, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Vienna House, TRYP by Wyndham, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, Wyndham Alltra, Wyndham Garden, La Quinta by Wyndham, Wingate by Wyndham, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, AmericInn by Wyndham, Baymont by Wyndham, Ramada by Wyndham, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Days Inn by Wyndham, Super 8 by Wyndham, Howard Johnson by Wyndham, Travelodge by Wyndham, Caesars Resorts, The Eldorado Resort Casino Reno, Harrah’s, Horseshoe Casinos, Tropicana Entertainment Inc, Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, The Cromwell, The LINQ Hotel, Paris Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, Planet Hollywood Las Vegas, Harveys Lake Tahoe, Circus Circus Reno Hotel & Casino, Silver Legacy, Isle Casino, Nobu Hotel
• Third Party/OTAs
  • Booking.com
    • Policy: Matches lower price if price drops on a different website prior to 24 hours from check-in
  • Expedia
    • Policy: Matches lower price if price drops on a different website before 12am (local hotel time) on the day of check in- refund will be issued in OneKey Cash
  • Hotels.com
    • Policy: Matches lower price if price drops prior to check-in, both on Hotels.com and on different websites
• Credit Cards
  • Capital One Price Protection
    • Policy: Book through Capital One Travel portal and receive a refund in the form of a Capital One Travel Credit if the price drops within 24 hours of booking

This is by no means an extensive list. If you’re booking a room at a hotel chain that is not on the list, google the hotel chain + Best Price Guarantee policy to see if they offer price matches.

Note that brands within a hotel chain do occasionally change. Additionally a chain might to decide to include or exclude certain brands from their Price Match Guarantee- always double check their policy before booking if you are relying on a discount from the price-match policy.

The Value

So now that you know all about price matches, you never need to worry that a reputable 3rd party website will have a better price, and can book with hotel chains directly for the best price, plus a discount or additional points, while still earning status and points.

You might wonder why it would ever be worth it to request points instead of a discount for hotel chains that offer the option, such as Hyatt or Marriott. Let’s look at two examples and evaluate the discount vs the points value:

1. Example: You booked a $800 weeklong stay at a Hyatt hotel, and after reserving your room you notice that Expedia is offering the exact same room type and cancellation policy for $790. Hyatt agrees to price match your reservation, and inquires if you would prefer a 20% discount or 5,000 points.
   • Points Value: (assuming 1.7/cent per Hyatt point) 5,000 X 1.7= $85
   • Discount Value: $790 X 20%= $158
   • Winner: 20% discount
2. Example: You booked a $100 hotel room for 1 night at a Hyatt hotel, and after reserving your room you notice that Expedia is offering the exact same room type and cancellation policy for $99. Hyatt agrees to price match your reservation, and inquires if you would prefer a 20% discount or 5,000 points.
   • Points Value: (assuming 1.7/cent per Hyatt point) 5,000 X 1.7= $85
   • Discount Value: $99 X 20%= $19.80
   • Winner: 5,000 points

If you’re unsure how to value points in order to calculate your discount vs points offer, check out this great calculator by TPG.

Does This Apply To Airfare?

You might be wondering- do airlines offer Best Price Guarantees as well? Unfortunately most airlines do not offer a price match guarantee, but there are other workarounds:

• If the price drops within 24 hours of booking: The DOT requires all airlines operating flights to, from, or within the United States (including international airlines) to offer free 24 hour cancelation, unless your flight is scheduled to depart in 7 days or less. If you are more than a week out from your travel date, and the price of your ticket drops within 24 of you booking the flight, you can cancel for free and rebook at the cheaper price. Note that some international airlines allow you to put a 24 hour hold on a ticket to lock in the price, instead of offering 24 hour cancelation.
• Most large airlines have eliminated change and/or cancelation fees, with the exception of Basic Economy. Since change fees don’t apply to most fares (other than Basic Economy), you can contact the airline to request a credit for the fare difference. Some airlines will issue a travel credit, but others will require you to cancel the ticket and rebook, to receive the lower price.
• Price guarantee on Google Flights: Google recently started offering price guarantees on select flights via Google Flights. If your flight is eligible for a price guarantee you will see this banner on the results page:

• If you choose to book utilizing this guarantee, note the following:
  • Google mostly offers this feature on flights that they feel confident will not drop in price
  • The price must drop by $5+ for the guarantee to kick in
  • You can receive a maximum of $500 in flight-related price guaranteed refunds per year
  • The refund can only be issued to your GooglePay wallet- if you don’t have GooglePay you’ll need to set up an account in order to receive the refund
• If you booked your flight through the Capital One Travel portal you can receive a Capital One Travel Credit if the price drops within 24 hours of booking. See Capital One Price Protection.

Google Flights offers a great tracking feature to monitor flights prices. You can set alerts for a specific dates by searching for flights on a certain date- just toggle the slider next to “Track Prices”, or you can set alerts for a specific flight- search for the flight on Google Flights, select the desired flight, and toggle the slider next to “Track Prices”. Google will send you an email when there’s a material change in price.

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globetrottinggeek

Visited 45/50 US States Visited 30/63 US National Parks