InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Timing your ponts - Maintaining Status

I am new to earning and maintaining status and have a very important question.

I am getting close to being a platinum (7-8K left), but I am also trying to have some points posted early in 2010.

In other words, I opened a Chase checking account but did not initiate a direct deposit yet (I have 60 days to do it). Should I initiate a direct deposit in mid-December so that my 15K bonus posts in 2010?

Any experience with Chase checking bonus will be appreciated.

In addition, do you think that my 10K partner bonus may post in 2010?
This is because, my 4th activity (PC Shopping will post on Dec 12).
Or will PC post points for each partner as they "sweep" accounts? (e.g. 1K for first, 2K for second activity).

Any insights will be appreciated. I am afraid that I may close the 2009 with 80K+ points and then struggle with maintaining status in 2010 since I stay on average 5-6 nights in IHG hotels.


Thank you.

It's really hard to time.
I and others also hope the 10K partner bonus will post in 2010, but it may very well post the last week of December (or perhaps earlier).

If you average 5-6 nights a month at IHG hotels, you should be able to get platinum easily before the end of the year if you look at the promo thread with bonuses.

If you average 5-6 nights a year at IHG hotels, stop worrying about getting Platinum. It's not worth it.