Booking IHG properties through 3rd party sites...
Jan 25, 2014, 2:02 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
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Booking IHG properties through 3rd party sites...
Hello everyone,
I'm curious to hear how people book their stays at IHG properties. Instead of booking directly through the hotel website, what are good sites to book on where you can double dip on points?
Personally I either use eBates.com where I get ~8% cash back, or use the online shopping portal through Best Buy where I can get points for their stores in addition to the IHG points I'll get.
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing different methods people use.
I'm curious to hear how people book their stays at IHG properties. Instead of booking directly through the hotel website, what are good sites to book on where you can double dip on points?
Personally I either use eBates.com where I get ~8% cash back, or use the online shopping portal through Best Buy where I can get points for their stores in addition to the IHG points I'll get.
Thanks, and I look forward to hearing different methods people use.
Jan 25, 2014, 6:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
Ebates.com, MrRebates.com, ShopAtHome.com and others like them are NOT third party sites...they are cashback sites that link you directly into the IHG booking channels (so you get points).
Third party sites are Orbitz, Priceline, Expedia and the like and unless IHG slips up, you don't get points from these sites.
Ebates is 4.5% currently (not 8%). MrRebates & ShopAtHome are 5.0%. There are others but those are the ones I primarily use since I've had no problems with the stays posting or getting paid.
Third party sites are Orbitz, Priceline, Expedia and the like and unless IHG slips up, you don't get points from these sites.
Ebates is 4.5% currently (not 8%). MrRebates & ShopAtHome are 5.0%. There are others but those are the ones I primarily use since I've had no problems with the stays posting or getting paid.
Jan 25, 2014, 8:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Capetown
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Where is it said in the IHG rules that booking via Expdia do not score points? Rooms can be booked via travel agents and Expedia certainly is an OTA. It is different for Priceline or rates that book into certain strange rate buckets (when you pay Expedia as a tour operator for prepaid rates), might be excluded, however, a plain hotel booking at BAR via Expedia scores points.
Jan 25, 2014, 9:01 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
Where is it said in the IHG rules that booking via Expdia do not score points? Rooms can be booked via travel agents and Expedia certainly is an OTA. It is different for Priceline or rates that book into certain strange rate buckets (when you pay Expedia as a tour operator for prepaid rates), might be excluded, however, a plain hotel booking at BAR via Expedia scores points.
Can I earn points when I book on third-party sites?
Most rates booked through most third party web sites, complimentary hotel stays and any other rates not defined as a Qualifying Room Rate are not eligible for points.
https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...are/faq/points
http://community.ihg.com/t5/IHG-Rewa...tes/td-p/23979
http://travel.bart.la/2013/10/03/ihg...fter-one-stay/
Last edited by CalItalian; Jan 25, 2014 at 9:15 pm
Jan 25, 2014, 10:49 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
OK, let's be clear here. I'm very knowledgeable about which sites earn points in conjunction with IHG points. I didn't start the thread to learn about technicalities. I simply am curious to hear what are people's preferred methods to book IHG properties other than at IHG.com.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
Jan 25, 2014, 11:17 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
Jan 25, 2014, 11:20 pm
#9
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
OK, let's be clear here. I'm very knowledgeable about which sites earn points in conjunction with IHG points. I didn't start the thread to learn about technicalities. I simply am curious to hear what are people's preferred methods to book IHG properties other than at IHG.com.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
Jan 26, 2014, 2:52 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
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NO THEY DO NOT and don't confuse the OP.
Can I earn points when I book on third-party sites?
Most rates booked through most third party web sites, complimentary hotel stays and any other rates not defined as a Qualifying Room Rate are not eligible for points.
https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...are/faq/points
http://community.ihg.com/t5/IHG-Rewa...tes/td-p/23979
http://travel.bart.la/2013/10/03/ihg...fter-one-stay/
Can I earn points when I book on third-party sites?
Most rates booked through most third party web sites, complimentary hotel stays and any other rates not defined as a Qualifying Room Rate are not eligible for points.
https://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/cus...are/faq/points
http://community.ihg.com/t5/IHG-Rewa...tes/td-p/23979
http://travel.bart.la/2013/10/03/ihg...fter-one-stay/
A normal expedia or hrs.de or whatever general rate booked via an OTA qualifies. A Priceline, Expedia special or tour operator rates does not qualify. I kindly advise to learn the differences and do not shout or shoot at people who try to explain and help to understand (what shouting and referring to links does not assist in).
Jan 26, 2014, 2:54 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
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OK, let's be clear here. I'm very knowledgeable about which sites earn points in conjunction with IHG points. I didn't start the thread to learn about technicalities. I simply am curious to hear what are people's preferred methods to book IHG properties other than at IHG.com.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
I know there are some cool options out there, so I just wanted to hear what people have to say.
Jan 26, 2014, 4:01 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Ancaster, ON, Canada
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 487
They used to have a good cashback rate via Quidco but they stopped it last year.
Sometimes I use Hotels.com via Quidco. 10% cashback and nights towards hotels.com's '10 nights 1 free' scheme. BUT I never get IHG points on those bookings.
Sometimes I use Hotels.com via Quidco. 10% cashback and nights towards hotels.com's '10 nights 1 free' scheme. BUT I never get IHG points on those bookings.
Jan 26, 2014, 10:52 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Los Angeles, California
Programs: IHG Diamond Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 3,531
A normal expedia or hrs.de or whatever general rate booked via an OTA qualifies. A Priceline, Expedia special or tour operator rates does not qualify. I kindly advise to learn the differences and do not shout or shoot at people who try to explain and help to understand (what shouting and referring to links does not assist in).
Jan 26, 2014, 1:17 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
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So stand by the erroneous statements you made and continue to confuse people. Some day you might understand the difference between expedia in its capacity as OTA and expedia in its capacity as tour operator. OTA rates qualify, tour operator rates don't.