It's fantastic that you're looking to leverage Marriott's Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) to get the most value out of your stays! This program can indeed lead to significant savings or valuable Marriott Bonvoy points, making your travel experiences even more rewarding. It's a game of precision and patience, but with the right approach, you can master it. Let's dive in!
Unlocking Value: Your Ultimate Guide to Marriott Price Matching (Best Rate Guarantee)
Have you ever found a great deal on a hotel room, only to realize that booking directly with the hotel chain could get you even more benefits? With Marriott, that's exactly what their Best Rate Guarantee (BRG) program aims to do. It's their promise that you'll always find the lowest publicly available rate on Marriott.com, the Marriott Bonvoy App, or through their reservation centers. And if you don't, they'll not only match it but also give you an additional incentive! This guide will walk you through the process, step by step, to help you successfully price match your Marriott stays.
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| How To Price Match Marriott |
Step 1: Are You Ready to Save? Understanding the Marriott Best Rate Guarantee (BRG)
Before we embark on this exciting journey of price matching, let's ensure we're on the same page. The Marriott Best Rate Guarantee isn't just about getting a lower price; it's about getting a lower price and a bonus for your effort.
What is it exactly? Marriott guarantees that if you find a lower publicly available rate for the same hotel, room type, dates, and terms (like cancellation policy and inclusions such as breakfast) on a non-Marriott website within 24 hours of booking directly with Marriott, they will not only match that lower rate but also offer you one of two choices:
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An additional 25% discount on the matched rate (or 20% for Design Hotels™).
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5,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points.
Why does Marriott do this? Simple. They want you to book directly with them. When you book through third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia or Booking.com, Marriott pays a commission. By incentivizing direct bookings, they save on these fees and build stronger relationships with their Bonvoy members.
Key Eligibility Criteria to Remember:
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You must be a Marriott Bonvoy Member (it's free to join!).
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The comparison rate must be publicly available and viewable by anyone.
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The comparison rate must be for the exact same hotel, room type, bed type, number of guests, dates, and include the same amenities (e.g., breakfast, Wi-Fi, etc.).
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The cancellation and refund policies must be identical.
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The comparison rate cannot be part of a package deal (e.g., hotel + flight).
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The lower rate must be found and a claim submitted within 24 hours of your Marriott reservation and at least 24 hours before the hotel's standard check-in time.
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The rate difference must be more than 1% (or 2% if a currency exchange is required).
Step 2: The Hunt Begins – Finding That Elusive Lower Rate
This is where the detective work comes in! Finding a qualifying lower rate requires a bit of strategy and persistence.
Sub-heading 2.1: Start Your Search Broadly
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
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Open Multiple Tabs: Begin by opening Marriott.com in one tab and then several popular Online Travel Agency (OTA) websites in other tabs. Good candidates include:
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Expedia.com
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Booking.com
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Hotels.com
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Agoda.com
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Priceline.com (though opaque rates don't qualify, sometimes standard rates do)
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Utilize Metasearch Engines: These are incredibly helpful as they scour multiple OTAs for you. Consider using:
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Google Hotels
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Kayak.com
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Trivago.com
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Tripadvisor.com
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Sub-heading 2.2: Focus on Precision – Matching Your Criteria
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Identical Search Parameters: When searching on third-party sites, ensure you enter the exact same details as your intended Marriott booking:
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Hotel Name: Be specific.
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Travel Dates: Double-check your check-in and check-out dates.
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Number of Guests: This is crucial, as rates can vary based on occupancy.
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Room Type: This is perhaps the most critical element. If you're booking a "King Bed, City View" on Marriott, you need to find the exact same on the third-party site. Don't compare a "King Bed" to a "Two Double Beds." Even subtle differences like "Deluxe Room" vs. "Superior Room" can invalidate your claim. Look for matching square footage and amenities if room names differ.
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Inclusions: If your Marriott rate includes breakfast, look for a rate on the OTA that also explicitly includes breakfast. The same applies to Wi-Fi, parking, or any other stated inclusions.
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Cancellation Policy: This is a major point of contention. Your Marriott booking's cancellation policy (e.g., free cancellation until 24 hours before check-in, non-refundable) must exactly match the third-party rate's policy.
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Sub-heading 2.3: Look for Price Discrepancies
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Sort by Price (Low to High): On OTA websites, sort your results by "Price (Low to High)" to quickly identify potential lower rates.
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Tax and Fees: Marriott's BRG policy states that the comparison rate should not be inclusive of taxes, gratuities, or other fees associated with the room rate. However, when comparing, ensure you're looking at the base room rate before any additional charges are applied by the OTA, and that the final price before taxes/fees is lower. Marriott will verify the base rate.
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Screenshot Everything! As soon as you find a promising lower rate, take clear screenshots of the entire page. This includes:
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The hotel name, dates, and number of guests.
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The room type and its description.
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The exact rate (the base rate before taxes/fees).
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The cancellation policy.
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The website's URL and the date/time of your search. This evidence can be invaluable if there's a dispute.
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Step 3: Secure Your Marriott Booking – The Foundation of Your Claim
This step is essential! You must have an active, direct Marriott reservation to submit a BRG claim.
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Book on Marriott's Official Channels: Go to Marriott.com, use the Marriott Bonvoy App, or call their customer engagement center.
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Select a Refundable Rate (Highly Recommended): While Marriott's policy allows non-refundable bookings, it's highly advisable to book a refundable rate if available. This gives you peace of mind. If your BRG claim is denied, you can simply cancel your original Marriott booking without penalty and pursue the lower rate elsewhere if you choose. If you book a non-refundable rate and your claim is denied, you're stuck with that higher rate.
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Book the Lowest Publicly Available Rate on Marriott.com: Even if you think you've found a lower rate elsewhere, make sure the rate you book on Marriott.com is the lowest publicly available rate for that specific room type and conditions. You cannot claim a BRG if you booked a more expensive Marriott rate when a cheaper one was available directly.
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Note Your Confirmation Number: Once booked, make sure to save your Marriott reservation confirmation number. You'll need this for your BRG claim.
Step 4: The Clock is Ticking – Submitting Your BRG Claim
Timing is critical here. You have a very specific window to submit your claim.
Sub-heading 4.1: Access the BRG Claim Form
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Find the Official Form: The only way to submit a Marriott BRG claim is through their dedicated online form. You can usually find it by searching "Marriott Best Rate Guarantee claim form" or directly through the "Help & Contact Us" section on Marriott.com. The direct link is typically:
https://www.marriott.com/look/claimForm.mi -
Log In to Your Bonvoy Account: Ensure you are logged into your Marriott Bonvoy account before accessing the form, as your reservation needs to be associated with your membership.
Sub-heading 4.2: Filling Out the Form Accurately
QuickTip: Note key words you want to remember.
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Provide All Required Information: The form will ask for detailed information about your Marriott reservation and the lower rate you found. Be extremely precise.
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Your Marriott Bonvoy number and reservation confirmation number.
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The exact URL of the third-party website where you found the lower rate.
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The exact date and time you found the rate.
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The exact lower rate you found (before taxes/fees).
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A detailed description of the room type, bed type, inclusions, and cancellation policy on the third-party site, ensuring it matches your Marriott booking.
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Choose Your Incentive: On the form, you'll be prompted to choose your desired compensation: either the 25% additional discount (20% for Design Hotels) or the 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points. This choice is final once submitted, so consider which offers you more value based on your travel habits and the cost of your stay. For expensive stays, the discount often outweighs the points. For cheaper, shorter stays, 5,000 points (valued roughly at $40-$50) can be a great return.
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Add Comments (Optional, but Recommended): In the comments section, you can add any clarifying details that might help the Marriott agent verify your claim. For example, "Found on Expedia.com, identical room type, cancellation policy, and includes breakfast." You can also mention that you have screenshots available if needed.
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Do NOT Attach Screenshots (Yet): The form typically doesn't allow attachments. However, keep your screenshots ready. If Marriott denies your claim, you can reply to their denial email with the screenshots.
Step 5: The Waiting Game – Marriott's Verification Process
Once your claim is submitted, Marriott typically responds within 24 hours. This is where your patience will be tested.
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Marriott's Verification: A Marriott agent will manually review your claim. They will visit the URL you provided and attempt to replicate the lower rate you found.
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Rate Availability is Key: The most common reason for denial is that the rate is no longer available when the Marriott agent checks. This is why submitting your claim as quickly as possible after finding the lower rate is crucial. Prices on OTAs can fluctuate rapidly.
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Email Communication: You will receive an email from Marriott regarding the status of your claim.
Sub-heading 5.1: If Your Claim is Approved – Congratulations!
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Confirmation Email: You'll receive an email confirming your claim's approval. It will state the new, lower rate (with the additional discount applied) or confirm the 5,000 points will be added after your stay.
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Reservation Update: Your existing Marriott reservation will be automatically updated to reflect the new rate. You'll often receive an updated confirmation email.
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Important Note: Do not make any changes to your approved reservation after the BRG has been applied. Doing so may invalidate the approval, and you could lose your discount or points. If you absolutely need to change something, be prepared to potentially forfeit the BRG benefit.
Sub-heading 5.2: If Your Claim is Denied – Don't Give Up!
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Read the Denial Reason Carefully: Marriott's denial email will usually state the reason. Common reasons include:
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"Rate not found."
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"Room type/inclusions do not match."
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"Cancellation policy does not match."
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"Rate is not publicly available."
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Review and Rebut: If you believe the denial is incorrect, you have the opportunity to respond to the denial email.
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Attach Your Screenshots: This is the time to send those clear screenshots you took earlier. Highlight the matching criteria.
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Clearly State Your Case: Politely explain why you believe the claim is valid, referencing your screenshots. For example, "As shown in the attached screenshot, the 'Deluxe King Room' on Expedia clearly includes breakfast and has a free cancellation policy identical to my Marriott booking, and the rate was [mention rate] at [mention time]."
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Be Persistent but Polite: Sometimes, it takes a few rounds of correspondence. Remember, the agent is following guidelines, but errors can occur.
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Consider a New Claim (if time allows): If the denial seems insurmountable or you discover a new, even stronger comparison, you can cancel your original refundable Marriott booking (if you made one) and start the entire process again. This gives you another 24-hour window to find a new lower rate and submit a fresh claim.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Discounted Stay or Earn Those Points!
Once your BRG claim is approved, you can relax and look forward to your Marriott stay, knowing you secured the best possible price or earned a valuable chunk of Bonvoy points.
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Points Posting: If you chose points, they typically post to your Marriott Bonvoy account 7-10 business days after you check out from the approved reservation.
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Discount Applied: If you chose the discount, your final bill at the hotel will reflect the reduced rate.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 "How to" questions related to Marriott's Best Rate Guarantee, with quick answers:
Tip: Don’t skip — flow matters.
How to find the Marriott BRG claim form?
You can find the Marriott Best Rate Guarantee claim form directly on the Marriott website by searching for "Best Rate Guarantee claim form" or by navigating to the "Help & Contact Us" section. The common URL is https://www.marriott.com/look/claimForm.mi.
How to ensure my room type matches for a BRG claim?
To ensure your room type matches, compare not just the name but also the bed type (e.g., King, Queen, Two Doubles), the specific view (e.g., City View, Ocean View), the square footage, and any listed amenities or features for both the Marriott booking and the comparison rate.
How to choose between the 25% discount and 5,000 Bonvoy points?
Evaluate the value. For expensive stays, a 25% discount will likely save you more money than the approximate $40-$50 value of 5,000 Bonvoy points. For shorter, less expensive stays, the 5,000 points might offer a higher percentage back in value, especially if you have a specific redemption in mind.
How to deal with a denied Marriott BRG claim?
If your claim is denied, carefully read the reason provided in the email. Reply to that email with clear screenshots of the lower rate you found, highlighting all matching criteria (dates, room type, inclusions, cancellation policy, etc.), and politely explain why you believe your claim is valid.
How to make sure my cancellation policy matches for a BRG?
Look for identical terms: "Free Cancellation," "Non-Refundable," "Cancellation up to X hours/days before check-in," and any associated fees. Even subtle differences will likely lead to a denial.
QuickTip: Pause before scrolling further.
How to avoid common BRG denial reasons?
To avoid common denials, ensure your comparison rate is publicly available (no special codes or memberships), that all details (room, dates, inclusions, cancellation) exactly match, and that you submit your claim within 24 hours of booking and at least 24 hours before check-in. Take screenshots immediately!
How to handle currency exchange rate differences in a BRG claim?
Marriott's policy states that if a currency exchange is required, the difference in the base rate must be 2% or more, and they reserve the right to not honor claims primarily due to currency fluctuations. Focus on rates in the hotel's local currency if possible, or be aware of this threshold.
How to know if a third-party website qualifies for a BRG?
Qualifying websites are those where anyone can make a reservation and see the rates without requiring a membership or special access. Opaque sites like Priceline's Express Deals or Hotwire's undisclosed hotels do not qualify.
How to resubmit a BRG claim if the first one fails?
If your initial claim is denied and you made a refundable booking, you can cancel your original Marriott reservation (if within the free cancellation window), find a new compelling lower rate, make a new Marriott booking, and submit a fresh BRG claim.
How to determine if my Marriott Bonvoy Member rate is eligible for a BRG?
No, rates found through official Marriott reservation channels, including Member Rates, are not eligible for Best Rate Guarantee claims. The BRG applies when you find a lower rate on a non-Marriott website compared to a direct Marriott booking.
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