Most travelers assume the “Member Rate” on a hotel’s official website is the absolute lowest price available. They are wrong. In 2026, the real savings don’t come from loyalty discounts or AAA rates—they come from exploiting the Best Rate Guarantee (BRG).
If you can find a cheaper price for the same hotel room on a third-party site (like Expedia, Agoda, or a smaller obscure travel agency), the hotel chain won’t just match that price. They will beat it significantly, either by slashing the rate by an additional 20% to 25% or awarding you thousands of bonus points.
I have used this strategy to book $200-per-night Hyatts for $90 and earn enough bonus points on a single weekend stay to fund a future free night. It requires patience and precision, but the return on investment is higher than almost any credit card sign-up bonus when calculated on a per-hour basis.
What Is a Best Rate Guarantee?
A Best Rate Guarantee (often called a “Price Match Guarantee”) is a promise made by major hotel chains to encourage you to book directly with them rather than through an Online Travel Agency (OTA). The logic is simple: hotels pay commissions of 15% to 25% to sites like Booking.com. They would rather give that money to you in the form of a discount or points.
The basic mechanic works like this:
- You book a room on the hotel’s official website (e.g., Marriott.com).
- Within 24 hours, you find a lower rate for the exact same stay on a competitor’s site.
- You submit a claim form to the hotel.
- If approved, the hotel matches the lower rate AND gives you an extra reward (typically 25% off the matched rate or 5,000 bonus points).
The Math: Why This Beats “Member Rates”
Let’s look at the numbers. Most travelers settle for a “Member Rate” which is typically 2-5% off the standard rate. A BRG claim destroys that margin.
Scenario: A one-night stay at a Hyatt Regency
- Hyatt.com Rate: $150
- Competitor Rate (e.g., Agoda): $140
- Successful Claim Result: Hyatt matches the $140 rate. Then, you choose the reward.
- Option A: Take an extra 20% off ($140 becomes $112). Savings: $38 total.
- Option B: Pay $140 but get 5,000 World of Hyatt points.
In this scenario, Option B is the “hack.” I value Hyatt points at roughly 1.7 cents each. That means 5,000 points are worth $85. Effectively, you are paying $140 but getting an $85 rebate in points, bringing your net cost down to $55 for the night. That is a 63% discount off the original $150 price.
To understand why Hyatt points are so valuable, read our guide on World of Hyatt: The Ultimate Guide to see how those 5,000 points can be used for free nights.
Detailed Strategy: How to Find Lower Rates
You cannot just Google “hotel cheap price” and hope for the best. You need a systematic approach to finding a discrepancy that the hotel’s algorithm missed.
1. The “Meta-Search” Sweep
Start with meta-search engines that aggregate hundreds of OTAs. Do not use Expedia or Booking.com directly yet; they usually have parity with the hotel. Instead, use:
- HotelsCombined: Excellent for finding smaller, obscure OTAs that major chains often overlook.
- Trivago: Good for spotting regional price differences.
- Google Hotels: Click through the “All options” tab to find lesser-known booking sites.
2. The Currency Arbitrage
This is the most powerful hack in 2026. Hotels update their exchange rates periodically (often daily or weekly), while OTAs might update them in real-time. This lag creates opportunities.
If you are booking a hotel in London (GBP), check the price on an American OTA in USD. Then check the price on the hotel’s website in USD. Sometimes, the hotel’s internal exchange rate is outdated, making their USD price higher than the OTA’s USD price. As long as the terms match, this is a valid claim.
3. The “Logged Out” Method
Hotel claims teams will attempt to verify your lower rate. If they cannot see it, they will deny it. Therefore, the rate must be publicly available. It cannot be:
- A “Member Only” deal (like Expedia Rewards).
- A corporate code.
- A AAA or senior rate.
- A “Blind” deal (like Priceline Express Deals where you don’t see the hotel name).
Pro Tip: Always use an Incognito/Private browser window when searching. This ensures you are seeing the public price, not a cookie-tracked personalized price that the agent won’t be able to replicate.
Program-by-Program Rules & Sweet Spots
Not all guarantees are created equal. Here is how the major players stack up in 2026.
| Hotel Chain | The Reward | Submission Window | Strategy Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy | 25% off the lower rate OR 5,000 points | 24 hours after booking | Take the 25% off for expensive stays ($200+). Take points for cheap stays. |
| World of Hyatt | 20% off the lower rate OR 5,000 points | 24 hours after booking | The Winner. 5,000 points is the most valuable currency here. Always take points for stays under $300. |
| Hilton Honors | 25% off the lower rate | 24 hours after booking | Reliable cash savings. They allow phone claims, though online forms are safer. |
| IHG One Rewards | Matches price + 5x points (up to 40k pts) | 24 hours after booking | Decent value. The 5x points (approx. 25% rebate value) is solid, but lacks the instant cash discount. |
Marriott: The Best Rate Guarantee
Marriott is generally fair with approvals. The sweet spot here is the 5,000 points option. If you are staying at a chaotic Moxy or Courtyard for $80/night, and you find a rate of $75, the 25% discount only saves you ~$18. However, 5,000 Marriott points are worth roughly $35-$40. Always do the math.
Hilton: The Price Match Guarantee
Hilton is one of the more user-friendly programs because they offer a flat 25% discount off the matched rate. If you are struggling with a complex online form, you can try calling them, although many agents now prefer the online “Price Match Guarantee” form. If an agent verifies the rate in real-time on the phone, it bypasses the dreaded “we couldn’t reproduce your rate” denial email.
If you are considering buying points instead of hacking the rate, check our analysis on Buying Hilton Honors Points to see the break-even math.
IHG One Rewards: The Best Price Guarantee
IHG used to offer a “First Night Free” benefit which was the holy grail of travel hacking. That is long gone. Now, they match the price and give you 5X points on the room rate (up to 40,000 points maximum). While decent, it lacks the immediate punch of Hyatt’s flat 5,000 points or Marriott’s 25% cash discount. Read more about maximizing IHG value in our IHG One Rewards Guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Filing a Successful Claim
The difference between an approval and a denial is usually in the details. Follow this exact workflow to maximize your success rate.
Step 1: Identify the Rate, Do Not Book Yet
Find the lower rate on the OTA first. Ensure the room type (e.g., “King Bed Standard”), view (e.g., “City View”), and cancellation policy (e.g., “Cancel 24h before arrival”) match the official site exactly. If the OTA says “Non-refundable” and the official site says “Flexible,” your claim will be denied.
Step 2: Book the Matching Official Rate
Go to the hotel’s official site. You must book the rate with identical cancellation terms to the one you found. If the lower price is on a “Non-Refundable” rate, you generally must book the “Non-Refundable” rate on the official site to get approved.
Risk Warning: If you are booking a non-refundable rate, the BRG is a gamble. Ensure the price difference is significant enough to be worth the risk.
Step 3: Screenshot Everything
Immediately after booking, take screenshots of the competitor’s website. Capture the URL, the date, the time, the final price with taxes, and the cancellation terms. Most claim forms allow you to upload images or comments. This is your insurance policy if the rate vanishes before the agent checks it.
Step 4: Submit the Claim Immediately
Do not wait. Rates are dynamic. Submit the form within 15 minutes of booking. In the “Comments” section of the form, provide clear instructions: “Click ‘Book Now’ on Agoda to see the final price of $140.20 which includes taxes.”
Step 5: The Approval (or Appeal)
If approved, the hotel will manually adjust your reservation. You will receive a new confirmation email with the lower price. If you selected points (Hyatt/Marriott), those usually post after you complete the stay.
Common “Gotchas” and Denials
Hotels do not want to approve these claims. Their teams are trained to find technicalities to reject you. Here are the most common reasons for denial and how to avoid them.
1. The “Taxes and Fees” Confusion
OTAs often display prices excluding taxes on the search page, while the hotel might show them including taxes (or vice versa). Always compare the Base Rate vs. Base Rate, or Total vs. Total. If the math doesn’t line up exactly, they will deny it.
For a deeper dive on how fees can skew comparisons, read The Truth About Resort Fees on Award Stays.
2. The “Membership” Trap
If you see a price on Agoda that says “Insider Deal” or requires you to log in, it is not eligible. The rate must be viewable by a rigorous auditor who is not logged into any account.
3. The Cancellation Policy Discrepancy
This is the #1 reason for denial.
Hotel Policy: “Cancel by 4:00 PM local time, 2 days prior.”
OTA Policy: “Cancel by 11:59 PM, 2 days prior.”
Even though the OTA policy is technically better for the guest, the hotel may deny the claim because the terms are not “identical.” Look for policies that match exactly.
When to Avoid the BRG
Sometimes, chasing a BRG isn’t worth the effort. If the price difference is less than $1 or 1%, many programs will deny it under a “rate fluctuation” clause. Furthermore, if you are booking a boutique hotel or a property that isn’t part of a major chain, BRGs are virtually non-existent.
In cases where you need a multi-room suite or a vacation rental setup, points might not be the answer either. Check our analysis on When Hotel Points Beat Airbnb to see when you should abandon the hotel route entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Expedia or Booking.com offer a Best Rate Guarantee?
Yes, both Expedia and Booking.com have their own price match guarantees, but they are generally inferior to booking direct. They usually only offer to refund the difference in cash or give a small coupon for future travel. They rarely offer the “25% off” or “5,000 bonus points” upside that hotel chains offer.
Can I use a Best Rate Guarantee on a non-refundable booking?
Yes, you can, but it is risky. If you book a non-refundable rate on the official site and your claim is denied, you are stuck with that higher price. The professional strategy is to book the refundable rate first, get the claim approved (which lowers the price), and then enjoy the savings with the flexibility intact. Some hotels may force you to switch to the non-refundable terms if that was the rate you matched, but you retain safety during the claim process.
What happens if the lower rate is in a different currency?
Most programs (like Marriott and Hyatt) allow claims in different currencies, but they will use a currency converter to check the difference. If the difference is solely due to currency fluctuation and is less than 1%, they will likely deny the claim. It is best to find a lower rate in the hotel’s local currency to avoid this dispute.
Do I still earn elite night credits and points on a BRG rate?
Yes! This is the best part. Even though you are paying a heavily discounted rate, it is still considered a “Direct Booking.” You will earn elite night credits, status benefits (like free breakfast), and base points on the cash you pay. This makes it superior to booking through an OTA, where you typically earn zero hotel points and get no status perks.
