Preloaded AMEX cards are now online - redeem away!

fireworksboy · Jul 18, 05, 11:30 am

I just checked the website and the preloaded AMEX cards for use at over a half million hotels in the world can now be had at
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/.../anyhotel.html
If and when someone redeems, let us know how long it takes to receive and any other pertinent info.
They said July, I thought they'd be late but they made it.

Shareholder · Jul 18, 05, 12:09 pm

Not sure I'll partake. It seems to me the conversion rate is pretty miserable, so I'd rather spend cash [er, charge it to my regular Amex or Visa or Mastercard to earn miles/points] or use my PC points on ICH properties. Can anyone who's thought this through convince me otherwise?

Doppy · Jul 18, 05, 12:57 pm

Bad value. 59,000 points for a $250 card? That's two nights at an IC - a value of $400-500 at the right places - each night.

May be a good value for some HIEs or really cheap properties under the right conditions. 60,000 points = 6 night stay. If you can book a property for less than $41.67, then the AmEx card is a good deal

fireworksboy · Jul 18, 05, 1:12 pm

I agree with the above posters in at least one aspect, the conversion rate doesn't cut it. That's the negative. The positive is that the cards can be used just about anywhere. Did anyone think for a minute that IC (or any other hotel chain for that matter) would give you a good conversion rate to go use your IC points at the competition?
All that being said, I might cash in a few points because I already know where I am staying on vacation this year and it's not in a IC. I've got a bunch of points so why not? I wouldn't touch the bulk of my points but if I'm going to a *wood or MR resort this year, why not cash in 118K and save $500 bucks?

UABigBird · Jul 18, 05, 3:39 pm

Can these cards be used for services at a hotel you're not staying at? For example, if a hotel has a good day spa, could someone use one of these cards to just pay for the service?

mkt · Jul 18, 05, 4:30 pm

**edit**

smileymike13 · Jul 18, 05, 4:58 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by UABigBird

Can these cards be used for services at a hotel you're not staying at? For example, if a hotel has a good day spa, could someone use one of these cards to just pay for the service?

Good question, I would love to know the answer to this also.

LILJ · Jul 18, 05, 5:18 pm

Does anyone know if we use the card at HI will we still receive points for that stay? I skimmed over the t&c and didn't see anything.

kyrielsn · Jul 19, 05, 3:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by UABigBird

Can these cards be used for services at a hotel you're not staying at? For example, if a hotel has a good day spa, could someone use one of these cards to just pay for the service?

Thanks for this post. I am interested in the answer to this question too.

MysteryShopper · Jul 19, 05, 3:28 pm

Do the math and you will see that you are losing money. Better use for points other ways.

entropy · Jul 19, 05, 9:52 pm

seems like a rip to me.

indufan · Jul 19, 05, 10:17 pm

I actually think this is a great program. Obviously, you can make better deals by using the points at IC properties but I don't often need to stay at an IC property for vacation. Unlike my frequent flyer balances, I have no desire to hold a huge amount of hotel points. If I choose to, I can basically convert these to cards to cash since I can use them for business travel and still turn in an expense report.

Matthewski · Jul 19, 05, 10:57 pm

any chance it could be used like amex at any non hotel location?

preiffer · Jul 19, 05, 11:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthewski

any chance it could be used like amex at any non hotel location?

Pretty sure it can't. There are items in the T's & C's stating that the card's VALUE is in points, not $. (some weird accounting thing happens in the background). I also refers to it only being possible to use against the cost of a stay in a hotel (but yes, including services). Specifically:

If you attempt to use the Card at a non-participating establishment, your purchase will be declined.

fireworksboy · Jan 4, 06, 9:30 am

Has anyone used these cards for a stay in Europe? I know the website says no problem but would like to the same from someone who has done this. Also, I wonder if it's possible to use these cards for a prepaid stay at a hotel. I doubt if anyone has attempted this but if so, please post results.
Thanks