a few basic questions... if i may

[scheps]

Hi Guys,

I just joined and realised should have really joined before staying at IC for my previous 10 nights.

Just wondering.... from a newbie point of view.

1. Do you have to book through the PC website to get the points? or show up at check in with your card?
2. e.g. IC , can you get QFF as well as PC points? i am guessing not...
3. point breaks seem like excellent value but doesnt seem to be available in australia. I mean 5K pts is pretty easy to rack up isnt it?
4. To get those bonus points e.g. stay crown plaza 2 nights get 2k points, you actually pay more for those points than best rates.
5. Any every successfully beat their best price policy? does e.g. zuji with same price but dont have CC fee (PC 1.5%) count as a price beat? i am also guessing not....
6. The 2k pts on an IC stay on qualifying rates obviously never include the best rate is that right?
7. The website seems to point to us a lot. Is there an aus version or earning rate is based on USD?
Thanks in adv

 

[JohnK]

Interesting that one of the gurus has not replied to this thread.

1. Generally need to book through the IHG website but some have reported that stays booked through Travel Agents, Travelzoo have been honoured. I do not believe you can earn PC points booking with sites like Wotif, Expedia etc.
2. One or the other.
3. These were popular early on but the list seems to get smaller and smaller. That being said in May I booked the Cairns HI for 2 nights in July on Pointsbreaks.
4. Generally the bonus points rates are more expensive than the best available rate and in my opinion not worth booking unless you get flexibility. If you sign up for most of the promotions you should be able to earn enough bonus points anyway.
5. Haven't tried it.
6. Not sure
7. Earning rate is based on the USD amount.

 

[scheps]

Thanks m8, thanks for the info.

So prob not worth it if only accumulate points when booking through the main site... as expedia you can get 6% cashback + no CC fees....

ummm....

 

[JohnK]

Don't underestimate the value of PC points especially when you redeem them for reward nights.

Using my latest example of a stay in Pattaya in the new year then 5 nights is going to cost me ~AUD625 and should earn ~15,000 PC points which would be enough for 1 free night at that same hotel which is ~AUD125.

A 6% saving via Expedia would save me ~AUD38.

I may have accidentally answered a question I posted in another thread about value of a PC point.

 

[scheps]

wow, how do you get 3k worth of points per night? That is pretty sweet? I thought you only get like 1k a night or less depending on how much you spend..... Is that part of bonus promo?

 

[JohnK]

For ~USD600 spend one would earn ~6,000 PC points then add-on a quartely promotion bonus of stay 5 nights gets 5,000 PC points and if you signup to every promotion code available some will stick which is why I said earn close to ~15,000 PC points for that stay.

 

[scheps]

Thats nice and strategic