InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - A cautionary tale of points grabbing... and PC's attitude (I think)

first hi all - second post and a long time lurcker

Like most here - we're on it to grab as many codes/offers etc to build up our stash.

the stay x get x is a prime example of where I got it wrong and ended up registereing to a linked asian JYT (?) stay x get XJPY to redeem at some Japanese travel store

great - but I live in the UK....

not realising that i had even registered as it did not show up in my offers, I got my own email stay 18 get 15k. I checked the board and saw that I could get better and tried to register - and got refused - tried all the coeds until ny own same story.

So I called PC and said could not register - they then dropped the bomb shell that this was because I was already registered to this japanese programme and once registered, I could not change.

I was straight with them - yes grab all the codes I can find - mentioned no boards etc - just told them my fault, if i see a code even through I've no idea what it's for, I'll register.

they gave me 1000 points as a gift for the inconveniance.

A day later - it occured to me that gthey could "gift" points - i called them up, explained again that the Japan promo was useless and could they gift me 15k points after I stay 18 nights.

No problem - they set up a reference and told me to call back with the ref once achieved.

So, whilst, I have read on here a number of occations don't phone up PC if a code does not work etc - I did, and they were more than happy to accomodate me.

They are not stupid - and know, if your spending the $$$ then they are happy.

Clearly though, you've got to be spending the $$$....

You received a targeted e-mail about the Stay 18 Get 15K promo, so it makes sense they are agreeing to honor it. Calling up about random promos (like signup bonuses) that one is not targeted for is not a worthwhile pursuit.

It is important, though, to be careful when signing up for some promos. You can't count on goodwill all the time.

fair point - i'm just not sure they care that much if your spending the $

Hi
Well I am sorry but you should never have called them. Unless it was for an email you received then you dont have a leg to stand on and just highlight your account to them and there was no need for it.

How many times must we ask folk not to do this sort of thing.

Hi
Well I am sorry but you should never have called them. Unless it was for an email you received then you dont have a leg to stand on and just highlight your account to them and there was no need for it.

How many times must we ask folk not to do this sort of thing.

How many times? About a million times. ^^^

Hi
Well I am sorry but you should never have called them. Unless it was for an email you received then you dont have a leg to stand on and just highlight your account to them and there was no need for it.

How many times must we ask folk not to do this sort of thing.

The folks at the PCR sponsored blog never got that pearl of wisdom...They ref FT and other contraband offers all the time...and yes its true PCR has red flagged accounts before where you have resticted access to offers per victims so "Mum's the word" is good advise.

Hi
Well I am sorry but you should never have called them. Unless it was for an email you received ...
That's exactly what he called about.

The folks at the PCR sponsored blog never got that pearl of wisdom...They ref FT and other contraband offers all the time...
The quality of content over there is quite low.

Never ever, EVER call PC.

first rule of deal hunting - NEVER EVER CALL ANYONE. NEVER EMAIL ANYONE. if you don't get it, you move on.

The first rule of Fight Club is.......

first rule of deal hunting - NEVER EVER CALL ANYONE. NEVER EMAIL ANYONE. if you don't get it, you move on.

thanks for that, but your advice does not stack against my experiance - as i said you spend the $$$ not sure that they are that bothered.

if i was them i would'nt

I'd certainly never admit that I register for a ton of promotions. Just imagine if they clamped down on that. There will be no Christmas in Whoville, then!

I think PC is more than well aware of the practices we undertake, but we are few in number and the ship still floats, so why sink it, especially when this is a big spending place.

I think the OP called this well, he 'fessed up, didn't point the finger here and got what PC had offered him directly. He may find his cards are now marked for the future though, if PC has the inclination/software...

I would however agree with Radioman, if you weren't offered it and got the code from here, then don't compalin if PC doesn't honour what you were never offered. From my point of view, not all codes seem to register even when PC accepts the code, but every stay I get a nice cascade of points from some of the codes I picked up on this forum, far, far more than I would have achieved on my own!!

So Kudos, Radioman, et al PC experts that stalk these boards ^

FWIW not all of us register for resident promotions not applicable to us, or at least I certainly don't. It's curious IMHO you consider it a "bombshell" to be reminded you'd already registered for a promotion your really weren't entitled to. Yes, most loyalty programs will overlook some wilfull abuses but I wouldn't be surprised if you have troubles with your account down the road should you keep playing the same games. Just MHO, of course.

I can see both sides on this. A nice little anecdote:

Security manager see's lady buying a full shopping cart full of goods but leaves one item in the bottom as she goes through. Security think Theft, General Manager thinks mistake and overules on the basis that he doesn't want to upset the customer. So they never know the truth. However, the security manager watches the customer each week now just to make sure!! And he's desperate to prove he was right all along.

High spending customers do get away with the odd item in the trolley. But if they notice someones taking pi$$, it comes crashing to an end!

But i'll be taking the stance that it's best to keep below the radar. I've clocked up more than 12 nights this year with x points for y nights coming in yet, despite registering. But i've done ok on various one off codes, so better off than I would have been.

bombshell in the way it was not expected

\but IMHO your missing the point - I'm 'trying' to raise the point that you spend the $$$ I don't think PC are too bothred.

You just chase points and little $$$, then I'd agree with you trouble ahead

I think the only people who might experience trouble--and legitimately at that--are those who a) have other people make paid stays on their account; b) open multiple accounts to get around bonus limits; or c) engage in other abusive practices.

That said, your initial post underscores the importance of not signing up for promos you don't know anything at all about.

bombshell in the way it was not expected

\but IMHO your missing the point - I'm 'trying' to raise the point that you spend the $$$ I don't think PC are too bothred.

You just chase points and little $$$, then I'd agree with you trouble ahead

No, sorry, I know the game fairly well and how it's played and where the out-of-bounds markers are and would expect PC's willingness to look the other way to be finite regardless of how much is spent.

bombshell in the way it was not expected

\but IMHO your missing the point - I'm 'trying' to raise the point that you spend the $$$ I don't think PC are too bothred.

You just chase points and little $$$, then I'd agree with you trouble ahead

The thing is it's not what you think, it's what PC deem to be acceptable. There are many people on this board who have made a healthy return on their stays by taking advantage of loopholes in the general slackness of the PC promotion logging and security.

It's worth taking some time to familiarise yourself with the different promotions and how best to conduct your account if you're going to play this game.

As others have said, don't register for something you're not comfortable with, be happy when bonuses post and don't gripe when things don't quite work out. I've had instances when bonuses I think I've been entitled to haven't posted although I haven't contacted as I know I've made ten times that amount in other codes I've picked up through here.

Just be patient and enjoy the fact that you're already ahead of the vast majority of people who stay in these hotels.

If PC cleans up their codes because of too many people call, there are going to be a lot of angry FT-ers including myself.