Using my points for hotel stay

[sanne]

I have some Intercontinental Hotel points that I bought on a pay for 1 get 2 deal, which were used on a hotel booking in 2020 but was subsequently cancelled due to Covid. These will expire Jan 22.

Does that mean I can use them for a hotel stay after Jan 2022 as long as I book the room before the expiration date?

Also, does the booking have to be for me or can I book a family member?

Thanks for your help.

 

[Mattg]

IHG points only expire after 12 months of account inactivity. Earn or redeem at least 1 point and they'll tick over for another 12 months.

But to answer your question, you would just need to redeem the points before they expire - that could be for a later stay.

Yes, you can use the points to book a hotel for someone else.

 

[sanne]

Thank you very much for your help Mattg. That’s great.

 

[sanne]

If I bought some points now in the new 100% bonus points would that count as activity in my account and extend the life of all the points for another 12 months after they are due to expire in Jan 22?

Thanks for your help.

 

[get me outta here]

IHG gurus, I arrive in SIN at 0200 and check out 2200 same day. So looks like I need 2 nights and SIN CP charges an early departure fee for the 2nd night.

Any creative offers or ideas please?

A family member offered 36,650 points which is 2,850 short for 1n. (If I can use theirs). That would cover points plus pay for the two nights which is not much of a deal.

 

[Spike_T]

It is my understanding "early check-out fee" is a penalty applied if you check out early and are asking to not be charged for remaining nights.

For example if you booked for 5 nights, but decided to leave after 2, you would be charged for 2 nights plus the early check-out fee instead of 5 nights.

However in your case you are willingly paying for 2 nights, just leaving part way through the second night. If you pre-pay both nights or pay for both at check-in then use express check-out there would be no penalty.

 

[cove]

With Qantas points having been quite devalued we used QF points for a couple of rooms at the Langham in Melbourne the previous weekend.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks cove, i’m considering that. It’s a bit sad that I’m <3000 points which will expire in a couple of months for one reward night. A buy some offer as I have done with Marriott in the same situation would be good. I don’t see that IHG offer.

With Qantas points having been quite devalued we used QF points for a couple of rooms at the Langham in Melbourne the previous weekend.

 

[JohnK]

Any creative offers or ideas please?

A family member offered 36,650 points which is 2,850 short for 1n. (If I can use theirs). That would cover points plus pay for the two nights which is not much of a deal.

Family member can make a booking and include you as the 2nd person and leave a note on booking that you can check in.

Another option is book 1 night and check out midday and wait in terminal. Lounge access?

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, yes I guess I could book 1 night with a late check out and swan around Jewel for awhile. I am flying F on SQ out of SIN so shower and nice dinner will await.

Still, two nights to relax at the CP is attractive. still hoping to find a way to acquire 2900 points.

 

[JohnK]

Still, two nights to relax at the CP is attractive. still hoping to find a way to acquire 2900 points.

How far away is the stay?

- transfer points from a credit card or FF program
- purchase the points
- make a 5000 points + pay booking at another hotel and cancel the booking and you'll be refunded the 5000 points + pay

 

[get me outta here]

The stay is for next year. I don’t understand pay for a booking elsewhere with 5000 points plus pay and then get the 5000 points back, it’s still only 5000 points ….

 

[JohnK]

The stay is for next year. I don’t understand pay for a booking elsewhere with 5000 points plus pay and then get the 5000 points back, it’s still only 5000 points ….

You said you were hoping to get 2900 points?

e.g. hotel costs $95 + 5,000 points. You're basically paying ~$40 for those 5,000 points. When you cancel the booking you'll get $95 + 5,000 points credited back to your account.

If you need more points then make more bookings.

 

[get me outta here]

Many thanks, I will look at this before the original lot of points expire.

 

[hossein_au]

You said you were hoping to get 2900 points?

e.g. hotel costs $95 + 5,000 points. You're basically paying ~$40 for those 5,000 points. When you cancel the booking you'll get $95 + 5,000 points credited back to your account.

If you need more points then make more bookings.

Hi John, you probably know exactly what you mean and are probably glossing over some important steps that my naive self cannot get my head around… you say:

1) book a room and pay $95 plus 5,000 points;
2) cancel the booking;
3) you get back $95 and 5,000 points.

I do not follow how you ‘generated’ 5,000 points by having paid $40?

Do you mean you book a room for $95, and when you cancel, you get $55 and 5,000 points back??

 

[SYD]

Hi John, you probably know exactly what you mean and are probably glossing over some important steps that my naive self cannot get my head around… you say:

1) book a room and pay $95 plus 5,000 points;
2) cancel the booking;
3) you get back $95 and 5,000 points.

I do not follow how you ‘generated’ 5,000 points by having paid $40?

Do you mean you book a room for $95, and when you cancel, you get $55 and 5,000 points back??

When you cancel a P&P stay you get the “$95” (or whatever spent) back as points.

You’re basically buying the difference of full points at a discount to just buying points for future use.

 

[JohnK]

Hi John, you probably know exactly what you mean and are probably glossing over some important steps that my naive self cannot get my head around… you say:

1) book a room and pay $95 plus 5,000 points;
2) cancel the booking;
3) you get back $95 and 5,000 points.

I do not follow how you ‘generated’ 5,000 points by having paid $40?

Do you mean you book a room for $95, and when you cancel, you get $55 and 5,000 points back??

Apologies I did get it slightly wrong. @get me outta here.

- Let's say hotel is 15,000 points or 5,000 points + $95 then make booking of 5,000 points + $95
- cancel booking
- get back 15,000 points

Basically you have purchased 10,000 points for $95.

Note do check different hotels as some may end up being cheaper.

Also compare what it would cost to purchase points outright through their promotions but there is usually minimum purchase before bonus kicks in.

 

[get me outta here]

Ok, thanks @JohnK, I think we have it now. Now to find a really cheap hotel and ‘buy’ $3K points.

 

[hossein_au]

Thanks @SYD and @JohnK, it all makes sense now.