Questions and Answers

Should be a simple enough question but I’ll provide details nonetheless.

I’m trying to book a stay at the Sheraton Miyako Osaka from Jul. 5-8 for two adults and one child (myself, my mom, and my sister who is 15). Booking through Starwood’s website gives me a pre-paid rate of 21,143 JPY (about 193 USD) per night whereas AmEx Travel gives me a nightly rate of $127 for three people.

I’d prefer to earn Starpoints for my stay (I’m assuming AmEx Travel rates aren’t eligible for accrual since they are an OTA.) but $66 more per night for that opportunity isn’t an inconsequential amount. I want to be sure that the AmEx Travel rate will be approved since the Starwood rate is non-refundable and if my claim isn’t approved I can’t cancel the reservation and find another hotel.

One more thing I should note is that Starwood’s website lists the cheapest room as “Guest room: 2 single beds” whereas AmEx lists it as “Comfort premium twin room”. I believe that if the rates are for different rooms, the BRG doesn’t apply. They sound like they may be the same rooms, just with different names. AmEx’s website unfortunately doesn’t list square-footage so I can’t compare it to Starwood’s website.

BRGs can be useful but they contain so many loopholes that they are had to claim. Usually if there is any difference between the rates hotels will deny the claim even if the BRG claim rate offers better amenities for the same room. If you can’t get the same room I wouldn’t count on it.