Points + Cash trick - still works?

[eclectic_boogaloo]

I'm looking at stocking up on a few IHG points for a trip overseas later in the year. I'm aware of the "points + cash trick", but not sure if it still works these days.

Can anyone provide further information?

 

[JohnK]

What sort of information?

Nothing has changed as far as I am aware although I have not tried it recently. Book a points + cash and when you cancel the booking you will be refunded the full points for the award.

 

[Alanslegal]

Hoping to generate 150,000 points for a specific redemption - using this points+cash trick then cancel ..... would I get in trouble booking/cancelling 15x ?

 

[andye]

With the falling AUD they are are a bit more expensive than they used to be at USD7 per 1000. I suppose this is offset if you are redeeming overseas.

 

[andye]

No reason you couldn't book and cancel longer trips than just one night. Shouldn't need to repeat too many times even if you only had 5k to start with.

 

[legroom]

Hoping to generate 150,000 points for a specific redemption - using this points+cash trick then cancel ..... would I get in trouble booking/cancelling 15x ?

Too frequent booking / cancellation cycling could lead to your account being locked up for a few weeks.

Space it out is a safer option.

Mine was re-opened but who knows, it could have been worse.

 

[Alanslegal]

Thanks to all the replies.

Will definitely space it out and/or make one reservation for multiple nights.

 

[Rick93]

Can't recall exactly when it was, but there was a recent offer on the IHG FB site, to buy 'discount' points ...

( I'll see if I can look it up ... )


*** Nup. Can't find it. I didn't save it, because I already purchased 'a few' points this year.

 

[Alanslegal]

Cheers thanks

I just bought 50,000 points which was USD$575. How long does it take for the points to hit my account? I am keen to redeem a stay with it asap.

 

[andye]

Seems the Points + Cash trick has become cheaper in USD terms. Now USD 0.006 a point

Buy IHG Rewards Club points for 0.4p - anytime