My First BRG Experience

I recently decided to try my hand at the Marriott Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) program for the first time. While it definitely requires some “manual labor” and persistence, the process was surprisingly rewarding. After about seven attempts, I finally secured a successful claim for my trip to the Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok in April 2024.

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Mastering the Marriott Best Rate Guarantee: A Success Story at Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok image 1

The BRG Process: Searching and Comparing

To find a successful claim, I spent a lot of time comparing rates across various hotel booking platforms. My strategy involved starting with broad searches on platforms like Google Maps, but when those didn’t yield results, I had to dive into individual, lesser-known international booking sites. It is a bit of a grind, but if you keep searching, you can eventually find the discrepancy you need.

Case Study: Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok

My persistence paid off. By successfully navigating the BRG process, I saved approximately 200,000 KRW on my booking. For a three-night stay during an off-season weekday (breakfast excluded), the total cost came out to about 370,000 KRW.

Strategy: The ‘No Option Approval’ (NOA) Method

One of the biggest hurdles I faced was that the official Marriott app did not offer a non-refundable rate for my dates. Since I specifically wanted that lower, non-refundable option, I utilized the “No Option Approval” (NOA) strategy. I submitted my claim by noting that since the official site lacked the non-refundable option available elsewhere, they should consider my request under the NOA policy. It worked, and my claim was approved.

Practical Tips: Marriott Bonvoy App

This was my first time staying at a Marriott property, and I found the Marriott Bonvoy app to be quite helpful. The mobile key feature was convenient for accessing my room, and the chat function made it very easy to send requests to the hotel staff during my stay.

Conclusion: Is the Effort Worth It?

While the process of hunting for lower rates is time-consuming, the financial savings were significant. Given my positive experience, I would definitely consider attempting a BRG claim again for future travels. If you are a budget-conscious traveler, it is a strategy worth exploring.