Nov 2, 2015, 8:31 am
Last edit by: Suite Disposition
ALL THE URLS AND LINKS IN YOUR EMAILS ARE THE SAME. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO "REPLAY" A GIVEN EMAIL.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Priceless Surprises Promotion
Nov 4, 2015, 2:09 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 394
Official rules here:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...f?v=243OLzRXsv
Section 9 lists all the prizes. Most (~85%) will win 500 points. Another 7% will get 1000, and 3.5% will get 2000, and 2.3% get 5000. That leaves about 2% getting something bigger.
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...f?v=243OLzRXsv
Section 9 lists all the prizes. Most (~85%) will win 500 points. Another 7% will get 1000, and 3.5% will get 2000, and 2.3% get 5000. That leaves about 2% getting something bigger.
IHG certainly provides some interesting "games" for us to play with its background of hotel lodgings dangling vacation fantasies for us. (I was hooked by a two-week completely free stay at an IC). But basically, it is paid stays, and discounts finessed by us, that make the game run.
Nov 5, 2015, 4:28 am
#47
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: 10023-Central Park West
Programs: CHASE UNITED CLUB; CITI PRESTIGE； IHG SPIRE AMBASSADOR; RITZ-CARLTON GOLD; Global Entry
Posts: 227
I spent some time and came up with an expectation of 31700（limits considered）points with 94 entries, plus some chances of non-point presents, somewhat $220 in value.
It will cost $70 for supplies and three hours of human work, not bad for $220 nontaxable income. For someone at marginal tax of 47%, this equates to $90 hourly wage.
But for me, I already have 110000 points, more than what I know to do with. This game is not so attractive to me, unless those points are elite-qualifying. I will act promptly if somebody confirms those points are good for some Elite status 2017.
Anyone know how to book Club/executive rooms with points?
It will cost $70 for supplies and three hours of human work, not bad for $220 nontaxable income. For someone at marginal tax of 47%, this equates to $90 hourly wage.
But for me, I already have 110000 points, more than what I know to do with. This game is not so attractive to me, unless those points are elite-qualifying. I will act promptly if somebody confirms those points are good for some Elite status 2017.
Anyone know how to book Club/executive rooms with points?
Nov 5, 2015, 5:16 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
My dashboard shows what some of the prizes may be:
1 Million Bonus Points
Use IHG® Rewards Club bonus points towards Reward Nights, gadgets & more.
Free Night
Enjoy a Free Night at any hotel in the IHG® family.
MasterCard® Gift Card
Simple & convenient shopping for anything your heart desires.
Adventure package
Capture the excitement with a Sony Splashproof camera, Garmin Fenix® 3 Multisport GPS Watch & MyCharge Hub9000 Rechargeable Power Bank.
Paris Tennis Tournament Package
Experience the trip of a lifetime in Paris, complete with airfare, hotel & car service.
Trip to New York City
Enjoy private ice skating, shopping & 3 nights at InterContinental Times Square.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard® in Orlando
Walk inside the ropes alongside PGA TOUR Pros. Stay & play a round of golf at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Orange Lake Resort.
Gift Card to Gilt.com
Receive a $2,500 gift card to Gilt.com to indulge in fashion, furniture & fitness.
1 Million Bonus Points
Use IHG® Rewards Club bonus points towards Reward Nights, gadgets & more.
Free Night
Enjoy a Free Night at any hotel in the IHG® family.
MasterCard® Gift Card
Simple & convenient shopping for anything your heart desires.
Adventure package
Capture the excitement with a Sony Splashproof camera, Garmin Fenix® 3 Multisport GPS Watch & MyCharge Hub9000 Rechargeable Power Bank.
Paris Tennis Tournament Package
Experience the trip of a lifetime in Paris, complete with airfare, hotel & car service.
Trip to New York City
Enjoy private ice skating, shopping & 3 nights at InterContinental Times Square.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard® in Orlando
Walk inside the ropes alongside PGA TOUR Pros. Stay & play a round of golf at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Orange Lake Resort.
Gift Card to Gilt.com
Receive a $2,500 gift card to Gilt.com to indulge in fashion, furniture & fitness.
Nov 5, 2015, 5:45 am
#49
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: FRA
Programs: MileagePlus Premier Silver, IHG Spire Elite, HHonors Silver, RapidRewards
Posts: 382
If I win any of those golf or tennis packages, I'll happily do some horse trading 
Nov 5, 2015, 2:04 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
US Residents only, must pay with a Mastercard, Nov 15, 2015 – Feb 15, 2016.
The rewards are surprises, 1K points for the first stay, and post that it's a mystery.
You can enroll here:
www.pricelesssurprises.ihg.com
www.ihg.com/surprises
The rewards are surprises, 1K points for the first stay, and post that it's a mystery.
You can enroll here:
www.pricelesssurprises.ihg.com
www.ihg.com/surprises
Official rules here:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...f?v=243OLzRXsv
Section 9 lists all the prizes. Most (~85%) will win 500 points. Another 7% will get 1000, and 3.5% will get 2000, and 2.3% get 5000. That leaves about 2% getting something bigger.
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...f?v=243OLzRXsv
Section 9 lists all the prizes. Most (~85%) will win 500 points. Another 7% will get 1000, and 3.5% will get 2000, and 2.3% get 5000. That leaves about 2% getting something bigger.
Nov 5, 2015, 4:45 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
It looks like they have updated the file, or at least the file name (the original file name included the word DRAFT).
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
Nov 5, 2015, 4:55 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
It looks like they have updated the file, or at least the file name (the original file name included the word DRAFT).
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
Nov 5, 2015, 10:24 pm
#53
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Nov 5, 2015, 11:58 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,240
Just got off the phone with IHG Rewards Club, the agent was adamant that every entry would win at least something, and that's what the advertising would seem to suggest; given the intention is for you to stay a night and get a surprise, I could imagine that the average guest would be pretty upset (and I will be too during my ~20 upcoming stays with them) if they get an invitation to play and don't win something ~50% of the time. Although this is IHG so you never know...
Nov 6, 2015, 2:03 am
#55
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 73
Another US Only Promotion
New to IHG this year out of necessity I am just keen to know if the apparent bias this year towards the US on promotions is typical of the promotions IHG run?
I ask because it may well be that IHG Towers have made a conscious effort this year to target the US and this year may not be typical. Thanks.
I ask because it may well be that IHG Towers have made a conscious effort this year to target the US and this year may not be typical. Thanks.
Nov 6, 2015, 8:34 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2010
Programs: AA ex-EXP (buh-bye!), HH Gold, SPG Gold, UM Go Blue
Posts: 543
For those who don't want to actually write all this stuff, sweepstakes handprinting services are pretty affordable. It is up to you to decide if the benefits are worth the cost of paying these folks:
http://sweepingamerica.com/hand-printing-services/
I have used these services before and it saves a lot of time in the sweeps world, where rules can be pretty strict. Here is more info on sweeps in general which might be helpful, too:
http://sweetiessweeps.com/2009/04/ma...es-basics.html
http://sweepingamerica.com/hand-printing-services/
I have used these services before and it saves a lot of time in the sweeps world, where rules can be pretty strict. Here is more info on sweeps in general which might be helpful, too:
http://sweetiessweeps.com/2009/04/ma...es-basics.html
Nov 6, 2015, 9:18 am
#57
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: New England
Programs: UA 1P, Hyatt Diamond, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,502
Here are mine:
1 Million Bonus Points
Use IHG® Rewards Club bonus points towards Reward Nights, gadgets & more.
Free Night
Enjoy a Free Night at any hotel in the IHG® family.
MasterCard® Gift Card
Simple & convenient shopping for anything your heart desires.
Adventure package
Capture the excitement with a Sony Splashproof camera, Garmin Fenix® 3 Multisport GPS Watch & MyCharge Hub9000 Rechargeable Power Bank.
Paris Tennis Tournament Package
Experience the trip of a lifetime in Paris, complete with airfare, hotel & car service.
Trip to New York City
Enjoy private ice skating, shopping & 3 nights at InterContinental Times Square.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard® in Orlando
Walk inside the ropes alongside PGA TOUR Pros. Stay & play a round of golf at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Orange Lake Resort.
Gift Card to Gilt.com
Receive a $2,500 gift card to Gilt.com to indulge in fashion, furniture & fitness.
1 Million Bonus Points
Use IHG® Rewards Club bonus points towards Reward Nights, gadgets & more.
Free Night
Enjoy a Free Night at any hotel in the IHG® family.
MasterCard® Gift Card
Simple & convenient shopping for anything your heart desires.
Adventure package
Capture the excitement with a Sony Splashproof camera, Garmin Fenix® 3 Multisport GPS Watch & MyCharge Hub9000 Rechargeable Power Bank.
Paris Tennis Tournament Package
Experience the trip of a lifetime in Paris, complete with airfare, hotel & car service.
Trip to New York City
Enjoy private ice skating, shopping & 3 nights at InterContinental Times Square.
Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard® in Orlando
Walk inside the ropes alongside PGA TOUR Pros. Stay & play a round of golf at Holiday Inn Club Vacations® Orange Lake Resort.
Gift Card to Gilt.com
Receive a $2,500 gift card to Gilt.com to indulge in fashion, furniture & fitness.
Nov 6, 2015, 9:19 am
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
Nov 6, 2015, 7:40 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Quote:
Originally Posted by swag
It looks like they have updated the file, or at least the file name (the original file name included the word DRAFT).
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
By the way, I diff'ed the original and new rules, and the only substantive change was the description of the group A "Winter in New York City Priceless Surprise", which went from "single room, double occupancy" to "Presidential Suite".
Originally Posted by swag
It looks like they have updated the file, or at least the file name (the original file name included the word DRAFT).
Try this:
https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.ne...pdf?v=HeHVmBrb
If that fails, go to https://pricelesssurprises.ihg.com and click the official rules text to the right of the top checkbox.
By the way, I diff'ed the original and new rules, and the only substantive change was the description of the group A "Winter in New York City Priceless Surprise", which went from "single room, double occupancy" to "Presidential Suite".
Shhhhhh don't tell Lucky
Nov 6, 2015, 8:03 pm
#60
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,538
I purchased $57 in supplies including stamps at CVS today. The writing is going to be painful, I have some dark flights coming up so hopefully can write there. I am a little concerned about everyone playing the postal option, I suspect IHG may (temporarily) run out game codes later in the promotion due to overwhelming response.