InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Best infrequent traveler program?

I'm fairly new to the hotel points game, but it seems to me that PC is one of the better ones for infrequent travelers, without utilizing credit cards for massive point banks/automatic status upgrades. Is this a fair assessment?

I base this on the following reasons:
1) Points are, relatively, easy to come by.
2) Platinum is therefore easier to come by. (Sure, the benefits aren't that great but for someone who isn't travelling that often any benefits are better than none.)
3) Points can be used for some pretty legit vacations, eventually, especially since they don't expire.

Thoughts?

Also, again, I'm new to this, so this is partially my view on it, and asking for advice for which program might be better.

All fair points, especially as cash and points and Points Breaks let you redeem for fewer points than standard redemptions.

That said, an infrequent stayer may be better chasing the best promo available at that time eg the Radisson, Park Inn '50k points for 1 stay' deal at present.

All fair points, especially as cash and points and Points Breaks let you redeem for fewer points than standard redemptions.

That said, an infrequent stayer may be better chasing the best promo available at that time eg the Radisson, Park Inn '50k points for 1 stay' deal at present.

The Radisson/CI/Park Inn portion ends Sunday, July 15th.

Loyalty programs are ideal for the frequent traveler but the costs of the benefits often exceed the value to the infrequent traveler. 3rd party bookings at a lower cost without the benefits of the loyalty program would be a better option.

I'm fairly new to the hotel points game, but it seems to me that PC is one of the better ones for infrequent travelers, without utilizing credit cards for massive point banks/automatic status upgrades. Is this a fair assessment?

I base this on the following reasons:
1) Points are, relatively, easy to come by.
2) Platinum is therefore easier to come by. (Sure, the benefits aren't that great but for someone who isn't travelling that often any benefits are better than none.)
3) Points can be used for some pretty legit vacations, eventually, especially since they don't expire.

Thoughts?


Depends how infrequent you are. Nice InterContinental hotels require 50K PC per night currently. Within few years time the number of required points will be higher. You will need quite a few stays before you can redeem for even a one free night.

The Radisson/CI/Park Inn portion ends Sunday, July 15th.

Yep. The Park Plaza one (http://loyaltylobby.com/2012/06/27/club-carlson-park-plaza-ultimate-night-giveaway-earn-50k-bonus-points/) is the only one going until August 28th.

Loyalty programs are ideal for the frequent traveler but the costs of the benefits often exceed the value to the infrequent traveler. 3rd party bookings at a lower cost without the benefits of the loyalty program would be a better option.

Yeah. I would agree on this. OP should look into using Hotwire & Priceline and to save maybe 40% to 50% rather than chasing points that are continuously devaluing.

By definition, loyalty programs are for frequent travellers.

If you are looking for upgrades, the Ambassador program may be the best choice, as it is a paid access program, independently of how often you stay at ICs, with guaranteed upgrades and benefits.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/ambassador

If you are looking for free nights, the Point Breaks offer is a very good opportunity (but limited selection of destinations and dates). You can even use your Amex rewards miles.
http://www.priorityclub.com/hotels/us/en/global/redeem/pointbreaks/

I tend to agree that the infrequent traveler that wants to collect points does best to forget status and chase the best promos. That's essentially what I've been doing. I get about 20-30 nights a year in hotel stays so its not easy to get good status with my stays. I use tricks like credit cards and short cuts when I can find them.

For example, with the SPG AMEX you can get benefits without earning status. With the PC Visa you get Platinum status. Depending on your spend you can get Silver or Gold with a HHonors AMEX.

If you earn status with another loyalty program Club Carlson is good about status matching (best bet is probably getting Platinum with PC (easiest) and you'll get Gold with Club Carlson). This is only good for a year or so, but can be useful.

HiltonHonors has an MVP and other fast tracks to Gold.

Marriott Rewards has Gold and Platinum challenges (call their customer service numbers to sign up).

All that said, for the infrequent traveller wanting coverage in as many areas as possible, PC is the right one in my opinion.

That was the impression I got RDB.

I'm in the military so travel is something that may or may not happen, but I'm moving soon and doing a little travel between stations and with PC it looks like I'll be able to get pretty close to Platinum on this trip alone. That's assuming all my promo codes post and whatnot, which as it sounds isn't always the case, but we'll see what happens. The only thing I wish I had done was put all this under my wifes name, as she's the one that will be traveling more often (specifically going home when I'm deployed). Oh well though.

Thanks for the insights everyone!

For infrequent travellers, I would best suggest at looking at one of those onlines sites that offer rebates, with a long expiry period. Then simply choose the best deals each time you travel, using the previously accrued points to offset the costs. You generally don't get any status this way, but any status obtained (if any) with infrequent travel in 1 hotel chain would be of limited use/benefit anyhow.

PC is a good program for anyone who wants to get lots of points fast (eg translates to lots of free nights).

As someone who does 20-30 hotel nights per year (all out of pocket), PC Platinum+Ambassador definitely feels like a good choice...I've found that the benefits are actually extremely consistent on my stay patterns (2-3 nights in one hotel max before I move on to a different city/country/hotel) and often quite nice (Suite upgrades on point stays, Club benefits extended to entire stay after having booked only part of the stay in a Club room, etc.).

Basically, given the requirements for other programs, PC is the only program in which you can actually GET status, especially if stays are spread throughout a variety of countries in which other chains have little or no presence. I also have HHonors Gold through a loophole, but it really does feel like an inferior program unless you stay 50+ nights a year...upgrades have often been better with IHG.

There is also one other aspect which many people seem to overlook, PC is the only program in which any points at all (OK, except for the points+cash refund scam) are STATUS points...this means that all the non-stay methods out there (e-Rewards, TopGuest) bring one closer to reaching Platinum status!

Another to consider is Marriott because they usually have a stay 2 nights get 1 low-to -mid-range hotel stay free promo running, so even someone having 8 stays or so a year could earn 2-3 free nights. The free night certs usually are good for about 9 months. Marriott does not have the rural coverage of PC, though.

It also depends on where OP lives - for us who based in Europe then Marriott and IHG would be a good choice. Marriott has enough mid-range properties throughout Europe and you can run for their challenge. You can buy status with IHG and PB is awesome.

However PC does not require hotels to grant elite perks when you are staying on points.

Marriott does Megabonus as previous posters stated and it's pretty easy to earn them (provide that you get good access to their hotels). You have now 1 year to use the free nights earned (I know because I'm doing mattress run for the free certs).

Marriott elites get their perks regardless of how they pay for their stays - Priceline, hotwire, points etc.

It's no help to the OP, but if you are willing to put in 10 years of travel, for me the best program for infrequent guests is Starwood. Because I did enough stays in the past to earn Lifetime Platinum status. :)

When will IC come up with Lifetime RA status? I wish they would compete better with Starwood. :cool:

You can look back in the threads (somewhere on here) and there is at least one story of someone being offered lifetime RA status... after he spend ~50K over the course of 6months while staying mostly in suites. So, totally doable, right? :)

You can look back in the threads (somewhere on here) and there is at least one story of someone being offered lifetime RA status... after he spend ~50K over the course of 6months while staying mostly in suites. So, totally doable, right? :)

Sounds like urban legend to me. I've spent $50K in 6 months before. If you are on the road full time and hanging out in cities like London, Paris, Hong Kong etc., you could rack up $50K even paying for normal or Club rooms.

Finally - A thread on the best loyalty program for someone interested in offering no loyalty.


^

Can truth in advertising be far behind?

Sounds like urban legend to me. I've spent $50K in 6 months before. If you are on the road full time and hanging out in cities like London, Paris, Hong Kong etc., you could rack up $50K even paying for normal or Club rooms.

It was. OP for that thread couldn't produce any evidence that he had been offered, or gotten, Lifetime RA status.

Don't know when, or if, PC will ever offer Lifetime RA status but one thing you can count on is that someone will find a way to have it up for sale for about $1,000 on eBay as soon as PC invents it. :eek:

Finally - A thread on the best loyalty program for someone interested in offering no loyalty.

I didn't see this thread quite like that until you mentioned it but I guess you're right.

Thats classic! LMAO!

But that is the nature of the beast, isn't it?! You have a lot of loyalty schemes which compete with each other, the net result being that it makes most sense NOT be loyal to one scheme.

PC may actually be what the OP wants. My wife and I are doing a stay tonight, our first PC night of the year I think! 2 rooms as the kids are coming, so booked one in my name and one in hers. Signed up for all of the recent New Member etc codes. It seems our £200 / 2 night stay should generate around 30,000+ points across the 2 rooms and 2 accounts, if everything posts.

But that is the nature of the beast, isn't it?! You have a lot of loyalty schemes which compete with each other, the net result being that it makes most sense NOT be loyal to one scheme.


I suppose in some ways you're right. For example, I'm RA with IHG and Plat with QF (no realistic chance to get Plat One). As such, once I meet my requirements to maintain that status, it might actually pay off for me NOT to use QF or IHG (unless staying at an actual IC, where the RA benefits still make it worthwhile).

I used to fly QF, even when it was more expensive or less convienient, so that I could maintain my status. Now that I KNOW I'll maintain Plat but won't make Plat One, I don't really have a vested interest in maintaining my loyalty to QF, especially when I can save money, save time, and build status with another airline.

But that is the nature of the beast, isn't it?! You have a lot of loyalty schemes which compete with each other, the net result being that it makes most sense NOT be loyal to one scheme.

I think it would be better said that one should be just loyal enough to get top elite perks. I'm top elite in multiple hotel chains so I can be sure to get the best treatment no matter where I stay. Because it really comes down to the actual hotel itself. In some cities I like Starwood the best, in other cities it is Intercon. Or perhaps I need an airport hotel and Hilton might be the best choice. I am loyal to those chains and they reward me back with the top elite perks. And those perks are very well worth the effort I put in to get the status.

I think it would be better said that one should be just loyal enough to get top elite perks. I'm top elite in multiple hotel chains so I can be sure to get the best treatment no matter where I stay. Because it really comes down to the actual hotel itself. In some cities I like Starwood the best, in other cities it is Intercon. Or perhaps I need an airport hotel and Hilton might be the best choice. I am loyal to those chains and they reward me back with the top elite perks. And those perks are very well worth the effort I put in to get the status.

Yup, that's what I was trying to say. :)