IHG has some problematic communication issues and it is surprising that a company who has finally become active in social media has no official spokesperson to set the record straight on a variety of issues here or elsewhere. The folks in their call centers are frequently clueless

Lets be clear the folks from IHG launched this campaign as a somewhat under the radar public promotion that would allow potential guests to utilize what is typically only an insiders rate. It was aimed through low cost/no cost channels/social media channels
My guess is they want to return that right only to true direct friends and family cutting of the more public version of this promo

Being I am always guessing what this company is thinking I just go along with the ride hoping I know what there intentions are. Though there is much right about IHG hotels they have much to learn about communicating with guests/members from a trust as well as a retention of loyalty standpoint.

I typically feel it’s a gamble when staying with them and thankfully most of the time it pays off with good promotions in their program. They are amateurs when it comes to putting out terms and conditions in a fair and clear manner.
That said there are many risk takers prepared to take the battle head on to win or lose.The confusion element hurts them in the end from those who do flee
Flyertalkers are the kings and queens of being opportunists
IHG is lucky to call quite a number of these folks loyal program members