InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Pay or use points?

This would be for a stay in downtown Kansas City; the paid rate is available at the Crowne Plaza; the points price would be the same there or at the Aladdin. This question isn't so much about the locations as about the points/cash choice in general, but if anyone has comments about them, that would be appreciated.

The choice is:
A. Pay a $99 State Government rate; I'm eligible, but it could be a challenge if they insist I need to be on business.

B. Award night at 25,000 points.

C. Points and cash at 20,000 + $40; I was ready to do that, but I gather the advice is not to do that if I have the points for the full cost.

My balance is between 25 and 30K; I'm Platinum thanks to the PC Visa; my anniversary and free night cert. come shortly after this stay. I've been spending down the points I got for joining. I just foresee having points for single-night stays. Would it be better to pay and save the points for a time when the paid price would be higher?

I would go A,C, and then B.

I would pay outright. I only use points when rates are above $300US or equiv and P&C when $200 or more.

I would go A,C, and then B.

I agree with this order.

I stayed at the Aladdin and it is very much not a cookie cutter Holiday Inn. Rooms are more setup for weekend getaway than business trip, but can serve the purpose. In/out parking is expensive but fast.

How would they know if you are on business or not?

I would pay outright. I only use points when rates are above $300US or equiv and P&C when $200 or more.

^^^

How would they know if you are on business or not?

Some government rates require Travel Orders. Also, it is bit unlikely to travel on official business during the weekend.

did you check out the F&F rate?

Thanks. F&F rate? Not familiar to me.

Thanks. F&F rate? Not familiar to me.

What about trying to score the room for free using BRG? It's easy with property in the US because you can use any site that uses USD as billing currency.

Check out the thread here at FT about IHG BRG.

I like Nacho's idea - worst case scenario you just end up paying the same rate you would have paid anyway. Also, F&F is Friend's and Family - there are some threads about it around here somewhere.

I would take Option A and only Option A. If you can get the room for basically $100, save the 25K points for when you want to go somewhere you can't get a room for under $200 (or more). I'm heading on a trip soon where I'm using 25K points/night for rooms that are $250/night. Meanwhile, another night somewhere else was going to be 25K points, but specific hotel wasn't important so got a PL deal for about $80 and saving my points for another expensive place.

This would be for a stay in downtown Kansas City; the paid rate is available at the Crowne Plaza; the points price would be the same there or at the Aladdin. This question isn't so much about the locations as about the points/cash choice in general, but if anyone has comments about them, that would be appreciated.

The choice is:
A. Pay a $99 State Government rate; I'm eligible, but it could be a challenge if they insist I need to be on business.

B. Award night at 25,000 points.

C. Points and cash at 20,000 + $40; I was ready to do that, but I gather the advice is not to do that if I have the points for the full cost.

My balance is between 25 and 30K; I'm Platinum thanks to the PC Visa; my anniversary and free night cert. come shortly after this stay. I've been spending down the points I got for joining. I just foresee having points for single-night stays. Would it be better to pay and save the points for a time when the paid price would be higher?

Gov rates only require an ID in the US. You'll be fine. I would pay outright. Points aren't worth spending when rates are so cheap like that. Save them for the places that you can't afford to pay for on your own.

I would take Option A and only Option A. If you can get the room for basically $100, save the 25K points for when you want to go somewhere you can't get a room for under $200 (or more). I'm heading on a trip soon where I'm using 25K points/night for rooms that are $250/night. Meanwhile, another night somewhere else was going to be 25K points, but specific hotel wasn't important so got a PL deal for about $80 and saving my points for another expensive place.

I agree - unless one is cash-strapped and/or points-rich (and it sounds like neither apply here), don't spend points on this. I would consider a bare minimum of $.006/point valuation to even think about it, and usually closer to .007/point. That would mean $150-$175 room rate after taxes.

Assuming the government rate earns points, with the Priority Club Visa & Platinum status, ~3,000 points minimum (including the 1,000 points/night q3 bonus) are earned on this reservation , so I would consider it a 28,000 point room, or under $.004/point after taxes. Factor in a smaller likelihood of any Platinum benefits, and it doesn't make sense to use points on this reservation.

Thanks. F&F rate? Not familiar to me.

www.tinyurl.com/ihgjenni

www.tinyurl.com/ihgjenni

Despite all the hype with this rate I rarely find it of any use. They are non-refundable, prepaid and do not earn points. And the discount is usually about 10% off.

I have used it one - the most crappy HIX Grand Canyon. It works out cheaper than the BW using Hotwire.

The discount was definitely more than 20%. I wasn't PC at that time so I really didn't care - all I care was a place to sleep.

Thanks. Re F&F: If it doesn't earn points for the stay, does the charge on the PC Visa at least get the points for a hotel charge? Do I take it seriously that the voucher needs to be printed, filling in the name of an IHG Employee: would that be the name that shows in the link?

Thanks. Re F&F: If it doesn't earn points for the stay, does the charge on the PC Visa at least get the points for a hotel charge? Do I take it seriously that the voucher needs to be printed, filling in the name of an IHG Employee: would that be the name that shows in the link?

If you get points for purchases, then you should get points for the hotel charge.

You just need to fill in the name on the link - I'd google that person before so at least I know his/her position.

Remember Mr. Rebates 15% cash back - it works on F&F rates too.

If you get points for purchases, then you should get points for the hotel charge.


I mean "5 points for each $1 of InterContinental Hotels Group Net Purchases" as opposed to the 1 point for all purchases.

Last time when I used FF rate my CC shows: Holiday Inn Express Grand Canyon.

I think you ought to get the 5pts/$ 1 - since your are paying IHG.