IHG benefits will only apply to direct IHG bookings, effective 1 January 2017

[Austman]

From IHG:

We’ve made a change. Effective 1 January 2017, members must book directly through IHG® (IHG.com, IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, corporate travel sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel direct) and not through other travel booking sites in order to take full advantage of the benefits that come with an IHG® Rewards Club membership. Why? We want to give you the best travel experience—from start to finish—every time. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.

 

[Austman]

Why?

I suspect it's actually:

We want to earn as much as we can from your booking. And we can only do that when you book with us directly.

 

[TonyHancock]

I had both regular and elite qualifying points denied because I booked via a third party site for my last stay just over a week ago.:shock:

IHG is so awful in just about every regard of the management of its program it beggars belief. (To be fair than can be just as inept in the members favour) I had booked via the IHG website. I thought they might have checked this when I disputed the earn, but no, I received a long "lecture" via return email on why I should book via IHG in future.

My points were added only after sending a copy of their booking email.

 

[oz_mark]

I had both regular and elite qualifying points denied because I booked via a third party site for my last stay just over a week ago.:shock:

In your case, there is a special rule requiring the room to be booked by the other TonyHancock

 

[andye]

I usually access the ihg site via ebates. Presumably that will still work?

 

[Mal]

I usually access the ihg site via ebates. Presumably that will still work?

I expect it to as you're still booking it direct with IHG.

I had a stay around a month ago booked as part of a flight/hotel package, wasn't happy that incidentals can't earn points on a non-direct booked stay. I did get my Spire stay bonus though!

Overall these are annoying restrictions, but is what the entire hotel loyalty schemes are moving to.

 

[samh004]

I would have thought this was already the case as it is with most hotel chains, where status benefits don't apply if you don't book direct, but interesting to see this was not the case. Will be shortly though.

Actually had a stay the other day in PER where the incidental spend didn't post, so just waiting for the 7 days to pass before I submit a missing points claim!

 

[SFSC]

I received the email about this today. One part I found interesting:

[h=3]Reward Nights Are Now
Even More Valuable[/h]
Your IHG[SUP]®[/SUP] Rewards will combine your Reward Nights with your Qualifying Nights toward Elite status qualification, bringing you closer to attaining Elite status while enjoying your stay using your points.

Don't know the date this is effective from though.

Edited to say that the above was not in the email itself but in a link about benefits in the email https://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/reservation/rewardnights

 

[JohnK]

I usually access the ihg site via ebates. Presumably that will still work?

Is ebates paying any cash back on IHG bookings? I know Mrrebates was down to 1% recently and now nothing.

 

[Meggsy]

Received this email from IHG as well. Not sure of the purpose of the email because as far as I can tell there is no change to the existing conditions for earning points. Perhaps there was supposed to be something new and they forgot to include it

 

[andye]

Is ebates paying any cash back on IHG bookings? I know Mrrebates was down to 1% recently and now nothing.

Looks like not (I seem to have been using Hilton lately)

 

[andye]

Received this email from IHG as well. Not sure of the purpose of the email because as far as I can tell there is no change to the existing conditions for earning points. Perhaps there was supposed to be something new and they forgot to include it

Maybe they really are going to release some Spire benefits and want to set the record straight beforehand

 

[Steady]

Received this email from IHG as well. Not sure of the purpose of the email because as far as I can tell there is no change to the existing conditions for earning points. Perhaps there was supposed to be something new and they forgot to include it

LoyaltyLobby had an article on it in today's email - seems the emails sent to China had extra info that wasn't included in what everyone else was sent. I will chase a link and add to this post

edit: LL link

 

[Dannyism]

I received the email about this today. One part I found interesting:


Don't know the date this is effective from though.

Edited to say that the above was not in the email itself but in a link about benefits in the email https://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/reservation/rewardnights

This is handy, I have four reward nights and six paid nights booked for next year.

 

[Mal]

The clarification was just odder:

"
We recently sent an email about changes to your member benefits that come into effect at the beginning of next year. We’ve realised that some of the details may not have been very clear, and we’re sorry if we caused any confusion. Our intention is always to be transparent with you about our programme. In this instance, we could have been clearer in our message.

We would like to reassure you that when you book directly with IHG® (IHG.com, the IHG® App, IHG® brand sites, Central Reservations, or Hotel Direct), nothing will change, and this also applies to corporate business bookings made through your company’s travel agency or travel department. You will continue to receive all the wonderful IHG® Rewards Club membership benefits that you enjoy today.

We truly value your loyalty to IHG® and are committed to doing all that we can to make your experiences with us all that you’ve come to expect from our people and brands.

Best regards,
"

 

[SFSC]

This is handy, I have four reward nights and six paid nights booked for next year.

Agree. I think most people would still reach status from points earn (spend) rather than nights. Handy to have another path though.

 

[PineappleSkip]

When I read the email I was wondering if they would also ditch the best rate guarantee on 1 January.

https://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/customer-care/best-price-guarantee
Cheers skip

 

[ChrisFlyer]

LoyaltyLobby had an article on it in today's email - seems the emails sent to China had extra info that wasn't included in what everyone else was sent. I will chase a link and add to this post

That's not a link to LL, it's a link to your AMEX referral page.

 

[Steady]

That's not a link to LL, it's a link to your AMEX referral page.

I have edited the original link to the correct LL one

 

[Rick93]

Actually, it's my fault ... I did this !!

( Ha !! )

It sounds very close to the issue I took up with the Company ....

About my booking at Adelaide IC, that was made by a 'third party', though was linked to my IHG account ( I could view the booking on my log in ).

They weren't going to give me the points, but after some 'legal argument' I gave them, they backed down and I got all the points I felt I was entitled to.