IHG closing accounts

[Rick93]

I said to him once: "Pretty fly, for a Shire boy ! ".

He replied: "How did you know I'm from the Shire? " ( Sutherland Shire )

Post code, dummy !!!

( so, he wasn't real smart anyway ... )

 

[Mwenenzi]

There are differences in the severity of the impact, fifty BRGs for a start including presidential type suites.

The BRG rules were changed (after his many stays) so that you cannot get if you live within 50 km of the hotel. How far is the shire from the Sydney hotels? [48 km or ?? ]

 

[burmans]

The BRG rules were changed (after his many stays) so that you cannot get if you live within 50 km of the hotel. How far is the shire from the Sydney hotels? [48 km or ?? ]

Closer than that, about 25km.

 

[burmans]

I think most people who read these forums with an IHG membership has gamed the system at some point or another. I'm not sure that's abusing the system, especially when IHG themselves know about the loopholes and don't/can't close them but at the same time promote gaming within their rewards program. Even their own forum has promoted codes to use for bonus points so how is the average travel forum gamer to know which are those that are a wink and nod OK (maximising point earn in your words) and which are those that IHG consider abuse worthy of account closure. It's just very bizarre behaviour for a loyalty program. Sure, let IHG tighten up the system.....that's not only their prerogative but it's also wise business for them......but to close accounts because of gaming the system?? Come on. How are they determining who should have their account closed? I've gamed their system with codes I wasn't targeted for, but I've also gamed their system in their own Big Win promo.......so why should others accounts be closed but mine still OK? It's just plain wrong.

I agree with your post but on past performance accross multiple programs I can see why a number of these programs have seen this behaviour (of the individual in question) as abuse.

Using codes that are widely published, no I agree that's not abuse.

 

[vitagen]

I'm supplied IHG didn't get him sooner. Knowing him, probably phoenixed a couple of new accounts. He must be the worst abuser of FF / FH programs that I know of.

 

[burmans]

I'm supplied IHG didn't get him sooner. Knowing him, probably phoenixed a couple of new accounts. He must be the worst abuser of FF / FH programs that I know of.

I agree but this seems the crux of the issue here, many of the supposedly sophisticated fraud controls at FF and FH programs appear in fact to be totally unsophisticated. I.e. they are seeming unable to determine who is a serial abuser without apparently capturing innocent victims.

There are some apparently fairly simple systematic controls that could have been implemented to prevent the more outrageous abuse but this all appears too hard.

 

[JohnK]

I'm supplied IHG didn't get him sooner. Knowing him, probably phoenixed a couple of new accounts. He must be the worst abuser of FF / FH programs that I know of.

Didn't he also abuse US Dividend Miles grand slam promotion a few years ago?

 

[burmans]

Didn't he also abuse US Dividend Miles grand slam promotion a few years ago?

Well that one definitely depends on your definition of abuse, he defintely used the promo but so did many, many people. While there were opportunities to game the promo, it appears most of these actually met the T&C's of it so cant really be described as abuse IMO.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

There are differences in the severity of the impact, fifty BRGs for a start including presidential type suites.

I agree with your post but on past performance accross multiple programs I can see why a number of these programs have seen this behaviour (of the individual in question) as abuse.

Hang on....I'm confused (again). Isn't this closing accounts caper hitting more than just one person? I'm not referring to this Shayne character at all really, rather the concept of closing accounts due to gaming the system. many of us have gamed the system, is all that I'm saying.

 

[whatmeworry]

Hang on....I'm confused (again). Isn't this closing accounts caper hitting more than just one person? I'm not referring to this Shayne character at all really, rather the concept of closing accounts due to gaming the system. many of us have gamed the system, is all that I'm saying.

From what I can tell on flyertalk, a wide range of people of have had their accounts terminated, mainly for promo code violations, however the individual in question seems to have breached their conditions multiple times in various ways according to what they have revealed.

Plus 200k plus worth of points from the big win promo seems like gaining points on at least 2 accounts or more.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

200k plus worth of points from the big win promo seems like gaining points on at least 2 accounts or more.

Hmmm, not defending him, but my wife and I could have had that balance over two accounts. I believe that's OK and by the rules, but thanks, I thought we were talking about multiple account closures.

 

[serfty]

...

Plus 200k plus worth of points from the big win promo seems like gaining points on at least 2 accounts or more.

Ermm..

In completing last year's and this year's big won promotions I ended up with over 250k points.

(Which I transferred to AA and redeemed on a business class one way from the USA to Japan.)

This is with a single account.

 

[Kea 02]

Hi all. Newb again, wow can't believe a hotel loyality program could cause such interest. I am guilty myself of registering for codes, that perhaps I shouldn't have. But I do tend to look at the big picture, who's really losing out? I stay, pay (good money I might add). Just to top it all off, just noticed, my account hasn't had the 50% bonus points credited to base points (yeah I know that's for a different thread). Well I must say, really enjoyed my time so far on this great site.

 

[nlagalle]

Hi all. Newb again, wow can't believe a hotel loyality program could cause such interest. I am guilty myself of registering for codes, that perhaps I shouldn't have. But I do tend to look at the big picture, who's really losing out? I stay, pay (good money I might add). Just to top it all off, just noticed, my account hasn't had the 50% bonus points credited to base points (yeah I know that's for a different thread). Well I must say, really enjoyed my time so far on this great site.

I think you will struggle to find anyone sympathetic to Shayne2233's plight.. Not the first time he's had accounts closed, and to be frank is a big leacher of information, but won't share anything back...

 

[JohnSydney2000]

This person (Shanye) cold emailed me a number of years back, trying to scavenge (demand) Qantas Club access vouchers. I have never experienced such avarice before or after. I am sure many experienced same. John.

 

[bcworld]

This person (Shanye) cold emailed me a number of years back, trying to scavenge (demand) Qantas Club access vouchers. I have never experienced such avarice before or after. I am sure many experienced same. John.

I was told that god would judge and punish me for my lack of enthusiasm to provide trick city details on demand. I'm worried sick!

 

[burmans]

This person (Shanye) cold emailed me a number of years back.

I've had PM from the boy as well both here on AFF and FT. Am sure I am not alone. In both case it was something along the line of give me your tips and I'll give you mine, I think around Lifemiles (when there were some decent tricks to be had). Trouble is the persistent feedback is he takes but gives nothing back then really abuses the schemes so they tighten up for all. Same load of whining when I didn't respond.

 

[Craig. Pp]

I do wonder, how many accounts have been closed? In Australia

 

[Rick93]

Can't help myself ...
May have 'shot myself in the foot' here ...

Emailed IHG to ask if possible, to change promos.

Below is the response by IHG Rewards Manager:

" We would like to inform you, that once you have registered to a promotion, we will no longer be able to change it. Further, please be informed, that we have targeted members for each offer. In this regard, since you received this offer, this is the offer that you should be registered ".

No, I didn't receive the offer.

I received their response back, after just 12 minutes !!!

Maybe I'll be going 'bye-byes' too ???

 

[Deleted member 29185]

So on a different tack, how many have received an IHG "targeted" offer (apart from the Big Win offers it seems everyone got)?

I can't recall getting any targeted offers except the Big Win x 2 and just recently an AMB double point offer. I'm curious how many receive these offers without finding the codes somewhere.