How 1 phone call saved me hundreds of dollars on a hotel stay
While searching on a hotel website, you’ve likely come across an advertisement for a best-rate guarantee of some sort. Most major hotel groups offer one, though some display them more prominently than others.
These guarantees exist to give customers the peace of mind that they'll always get the best deal by booking directly with the hotel. If you find the same room listed elsewhere for less, the hotel will generally match the lower rate and then up the ante by providing an additional discount or bonus points.
People often overlook this perk because they think it's a marketing gimmick and thus not worth the effort. But as I experienced firsthand, these guarantees are very real and can save you big bucks — you just need to familiarize yourself with how exactly they work.
Hotel best-rate guarantees
Most major hotel chains offer best-rate guarantees, including:
- Marriott: Matches the lower rate and gives you the choice of an additional 25% off (20% for Design Hotels) or 5,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (worth $40 based on TPG valuations).
- Hilton: Matches the lower rate and gives you an additional 25% off.
- Hyatt: Matches the lower rate and gives you the choice of an additional 20% off or 5,000 World of Hyatt points (worth $85).
- IHG: Matches the lower rate and gives you five times the IHG Rewards Club points, up to a 40,000-point maximum.
All of the guarantees come with lots of terms and conditions, but here are the key requirements shared across the chains:
- You must have already booked the room directly and at the lowest publicly available rate (except for Hilton).
- Claims generally must be made within 24 hours of booking.
- The lower rate must be on a valid third-party retailer (i.e., Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity and Hotels.com).
- This excludes sites that don’t tell you the hotel name until the reservation is completed, sites that require a membership or affiliation to book, mobile-only rates, sites that don’t offer immediate confirmations and some others.
- The lower rate must have the exact same conditions as the rate booked directly through the hotel chain:
- Same booking dates.
- Same room type.
- Same cancellation policies.
This last bullet is crucial — the two rates must match word for word. For instance, let's say we're comparing two flexible rates. If one rate says we can change or cancel "up to Jan. 1" and the other says "before Jan. 1," our claim might be rejected as the latter could imply 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 31. Likewise, if you're booking a king room, for example, and the name of the room on the competitor's site is simply "standard room," that could be enough to invalidate the claim.
Although not required, it's best practice to take a screenshot of the lower rate on the competing website and include it in your claim form when possible.
Related: 4 reasons to consider booking your next hotel stay through an online travel agency
My experience with Hilton's price-match guarantee
Personally, I find Hilton's price-match guarantee to be the most generous. Aside from the significant 25% discount, I like that it lets you match rates over the phone before booking. This way, you can walk the agent through exactly how you found the rate and not have to go back and forth over email.
Most recently, I took advantage of this perk to book a stay at the Oceana Santa Monica, LXR Hotels & Resorts.
The nightly rate on Hilton's site for an Oceana King room was $686 before taxes and fees.
However, after comparing rates on Google Hotels like I always do, I noticed that Expedia had rooms available from $621 per night.
Upon closer inspection, I confirmed that it was for the same exact room and had the same cancellation policy, so I rang up Hilton to book. As a top-tier elite, I had access to the dedicated Diamond line, which was able to help me on the spot, rather than having to transfer me to the price-match department.
Related: What is Hilton Honors elite status worth?
I explained that I initially found the rate via Google Hotels and walked the agent through replicating the search.
Although Expedia used the language "fully refundable before" on the room selection page, while Hilton said "fully refundable until," I was able to confirm on Expedia's checkout page that the cancellation period was indeed through 11:59 p.m. on the same day as Hilton. My claim would have probably initially been denied over email because of this, but I was able to easily direct the agent to this piece of fine print over the phone.
The agent matched the lower rate and applied the additional 25% discount. My new nightly rate came out to just $465, saving me over $200 per night with just a 10-minute call.
Bottom line
Price matches can be a hassle to get approved due to their many terms and conditions. But when they do work out, they can save you money and be well worth the effort. Plus, unlike if you were to book through a third party, you'll earn hotel points and receive elite benefits as per usual.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.