Originally Posted by
The_Bouncer
I don't think they will discontinue it completely. I can see it being further watered down, but I think it will be a slow death rather than the rug being suddenly pulled out.
The 5k list will go first, then the 10k list will comprise solely $80 HIXs in the boondocks or basic HIs in low priced Eastern cities (pretty much there already).
15k will be the new level. In fact I would not be at all surprised if this new 3-tier structure was only ever intended as a stepping stone in the process of raising the PB cost to 15k.
If 5K level is to go, IHG will at least have 4-6 quarters of new level at 7.5K to do a compromise. Jump from 5K directly to 15K or even 10K would be too much. It is very likely the ordinary redemption at 10K would be slowly raised to 12.5K or even 15K. Then a future PB at 7.5K/10K/17.5K would be coming maybe in 2020-2021.
Even worse, PB can be transformed into a 30-60% redemption discount programme while advertising 'start from 5K'...
To me, I hope PB does not change at all in 2019. In fact, if there is a recession coming, IHG may be more generous than what we have feared.