tim lai points to be made

Beginners guide to IHG Rewards Club

Tim LaiPoints to be Made

www.pointstobemade.com

Why bother with IHG? (5 mins) Tier levels, Ambassador (10-15 mins) Collecting points (5 mins) Spending points (5 mins) Other discounts and tricks (10-15 mins) Final warning notes on IHG (2-3mins)

Q&A

Feel free to ask questions any time!

Contents

11 different brands globally

5 main ones you’ll see

Who are IHG?

Pros◦ Large network of hotels◦ Fairly cheap globally◦ Loyalty programme easy to understand◦ Easy to ‘travel hack’

Cons◦ Not greatest earn/burn ratio, though still ok◦ Call centre agents have variable ability -

Philippines◦ Member benefits not guaranteed on award stays

Why bother with IHG?

BEWARE…

IHG HAVE 2 DISTINCT PROGRAMMES!

Club — 0 nights/ 0 stays per year

Gold  — 15 nights/ 20 000 EQP◦ OR 3 brands + 10 nights

Platinum — 50 nights/ 60 000 EQP ◦ OR 4 brands + 40 nights if address in USA/EU◦ OR 3 brands + 40 nights if address in Middle

East/Asia/Oceania◦ Everything above 50 nights rolled over!

IHG Rewards Club, Tier levels

[Picture removed. For participants only! ]

Very easy to change countries!

[Picture removed. For participants only! ]

Now my address is in N. Korea!

Changing country of residence

Live demo

What does each status get you?

In reality… Don’t get your hopes up.

What does Gold get you

In reality… Not much more than gold!

Upgrade chances are a little higher, but don’t expect suites.◦ Maybe 10-20% you might get a substantial

upgrade

What does Platinum get you?

Qualifying points = 10 points/USD ◦ Other currencies need to convert to USD

Gold members earn a 10% bonus

Platinum members earn a 50% bonus

Earning Points through staying

Award stays count towards qualifying nights!

Points do not expire

Key things to note

Automatic Gold IHG Upgrade confirmed at check in 2nd weekend night free voucher 5000 points on joining and renewal 1st year 200USD or 32k points 2nd year 150USD, 25k points,

200USD inc. 10k points and 10% rebate on Intercontinental stays

Ambassador

Requirements: Must be Ambassador first! 60 nights per year 20 in Intercontinental 3 different Intercontinental Hotels

Royal Ambassador

Benefits: Free minibar (to an extent!) IHG Rewards Club Platinum status

Royal Ambassador

Categories of hotels Cat 1 – 10000 points Cat 2 – 15000 points Cat 3 – 20000 points Cat 4 – 25000 points Cat 5 – 30000 points Cat 6 – 35000 points Cat 7 – 40000 points Cat 8 – 45000 points Cat 9 – 50000 points

Spending IHG Points

Which Category is your Hotel?

Category 1 — $70 Category 2 — $105 Category 3 — $140 Category 4 — $175 Category 5 — $210 Category 6 — $245 Category 7 — $280 Category 8 — $315 Category 9 — $350

Excluding opportunity cost of incoming points

Don’t pay more than…

“You may choose to redeem IHG® Rewards Club points for a Reward Night in three ways: using your existing points for all required points for the desired Reward Night; using your existing points and 5,000 points purchased for $40USD to total the required points; or using your existing points and 10,000 points purchased for $70USD to total the required points. The total purchase on any single day may not exceed $280USD.”

$70 per 10000 points trick

Get at least 5000 points◦ Buy them if necessary

Find any Category 2 hotel◦ Use Slough, United Kingdom

Book a Reward Night very far into the future◦ Check T&C carefully to ensure flexibility of points

Cancel reservation. You should have extra 10000 points.◦ May take 20-30 mins for the points to come back

$70 per 10000 points trick

$70 per 10 000 points trick

Live Demo

Friends and Family rate – 30% off◦ bit.ly/IHGJennifer◦ Does not get points or EQP

Best Rate Guarantee◦ bit.ly/IHG-brg◦ 1st night free◦ Tricky to get right◦ T&C keep changing (latest 8th September 2014)◦ Get someone to show you first.

Other discounted rates

Current rules: Claim online within 24h of booking and 24h

of check in Description of room MUST BE IDENTICAL!!! Watch out for auxiliary fees Watch out for currency conversions Price difference must be >1% or $1

Often more pain than it’s worth

I have saved around €1200 in 3 uses I know someone who saved over £30k!

BRG – Get it right, it saves big!

They WILL close accounts◦ Duplicate details◦ If you stay, or have an address in China◦ “Abuse the system” – their discretion, not yours!

A warning about IHG

If you enjoyed the talks today, or even my blog, please consider using the affiliate links

bit.ly/amexgoldnl

Final word…

Any questions?

Feedback always welcome

Contact me any time: info@pointstobemade.com

Thank you!