Tim Lai
Points to be Made
www.pointstobemade.com
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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)
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Q&A
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Feel free to ask questions any time!
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11 different brands globally
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5 main ones you’ll see
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Pros
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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
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Club — 0 nights/ 0 stays per year
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Gold — 15 nights/ 20 000 EQP
◦ OR 3 brands + 10 nights
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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!
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[Picture removed. For participants only! ]
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[Picture removed. For participants only! ]
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Changing country of residence
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In reality… Don’t get your hopes up.
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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
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Qualifying points = 10 points/USD
◦ Other currencies need to convert to USD
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Gold members earn a 10% bonus
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Platinum members earn a 50% bonus
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Award stays count towards qualifying nights!
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Points do not expire
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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
Requirements:
 Must be Ambassador first!
 60 nights per year
 20 in Intercontinental
 3 different Intercontinental Hotels
Benefits:
 Free minibar (to an extent!)
 IHG Rewards Club Platinum status
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
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Category
Category
Category
Category
Category
Category
Category
Category
Category
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
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$70
$105
$140
$175
$210
$245
$280
$315
$350
Excluding opportunity cost of incoming points
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“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.”
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Get at least 5000 points
◦ Buy them if necessary
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Find any Category 2 hotel
◦ Use Slough, United Kingdom
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Book a Reward Night very far into the future
◦ Check T&C carefully to ensure flexibility of points
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Cancel reservation. You should have extra
10000 points.
◦ May take 20-30 mins for the points to come back
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$70 per 10 000 points trick
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Friends and Family rate – 30% off
◦ bit.ly/IHGJennifer
◦ Does not get points or EQP
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Best Rate Guarantee
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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.
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
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I have saved around €1200 in 3 uses
I know someone who saved over £30k!
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They WILL close accounts
◦ Duplicate details
◦ If you stay, or have an address in China
◦ “Abuse the system” – their discretion, not yours!
If you enjoyed the talks today, or even my
blog, please consider using the affiliate
links
bit.ly/amexgoldnl
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Any questions?
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Feedback always welcome
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Contact me any time:
[email protected]