scubaccr

1)Avoid INTERCONTINETAL brand, earns fixed 2,000 poiints per stay right now, although expected to change to 10pts/$ from July2014
IC Semiramis is by the Nile and Museum at $120++
IC Citystars is complex including a HI and Staybridge with a mall and nearer the airport at at $150++
2)Holiday Inn CityStars earns 10pts/$ (excluding taxes ) at $120++
3)Staybridge CityStars earns 5pts/$ (excluding taxes ) at $160++

As such to maximise IHG points earning in Cairo you have only one option, the Holiday Inn CityStars. If you have one stay continuously 90 nights (checkout/checkin makes no difference) then stay becomes non-qualifying and no points awarded. 50nights is OK though.

If you signup for IHG @Rewards basic card level , then since Jan2014, outside Europe, you get free Internet, although hotel can have a basic email speed and business for movies etc is extra.

IHG will status match if you email your account page screen shot (or hotel elite card) as a once-in-a-kifetime match. Matching now will be until 31Dec2014 .
IHG Gold is 10% points bonus
IHG Platinum is a 50% points bonus

There are also promo codes. mostly one-off codes , stackable that could earn you 25-30K extra on your stay, whether stay is one night or many nights.

IHG Reward Club still continues to match to their Gold and Platinum status from the programs below:-
Best Western Rewards
Hilton HHonors
Hyatt Gold Passport
Marriott Rewards
SPG

see status-match piece/info link
http://loyaltylobby.com/2013/09/15/i...r-2013-update/

AND ... If you decided to forgo points and stay at the IC brand you could
a)buy Amnassador for $200 for guaranteed 1-level upgrade (so %4 day)
b)buy on ebay for $800 up, a Royal Ambassador Referral. (you either have to be normal Ambassador first or pay $200 when using RA referral). Remember $800/50nights = $16/night and free minibar , 2 beers a night is more than that.
RA status gets you
o Better upgrades to a)club room + lounge OR Exec Room OR Suite
o Free minibar consumption
o Early checkin 8am, late checkout 4pm
and lots more bennies too

IC points is due to change !
o Currently outside Americas/Carribean is flat rate 2000points/stay
++
A bonus of 20k every 15nights at IC (Ambasador accelerator)
o Ambassador Accelerator was extended from 31Dec to 30th April, we are fully expecting IHG to change IC's worldwide to 10points/$ (my contacts say from July 1st though)
As an RA (which is Platinum by default) you would then earn a massive 20points/$ at IC brand
(10pts/$, ++ 50% Platinum bonus ++ 50% RA bonus = 20pts/$ )

Summary of Earnings by Hotel brand by Elite status
=========================================
NON-IC's
Holiday Inn at $120++ => 1200 points per night (1800 if platinum stayus)
Staybridge at $160++ => 800 points per night ( 900 if platinum status)

Intercontinenal on Fixed points per Stay at present
NO Ambassador status => Fixed 2000points/stay (3000 if Platinum))

GOLD Ambassador signed to ambassador accelerator promo
=> 1333 points per night (+ 2000 fixed points )

PLATINUM Ambassador signed to ambassador accelerator promo
=> 1333 points per night (+ 2000 fixed points + 1000 bonus )

ROYAL Ambassador signed to ambassador accelerator promo
=> 1333 points per night (+ 2000 fixed points + 2000 bonus )


Intercontinental if 10points/$ (like Americas/Carribeam) .. Maybe starting July2014
(Expect Ambassador Accelerator to be discontinued at thar time)
GOLD Ambassador => 10points/$
PLAT Ambassador => 15points/$ (includes 50% Plat bonus)
ROYAL Ambassador => 20points/$ (includes 50% Plat bonus, 50% RA Bonus)