Originally Posted by
Super Mario
The problem with booking the high-end resorts with IHG is demand gets scooped up too fast because the system is broken. It won't change until these two things change.
1.) IHG credit card holders: This one is being addressed. Anyone can just come off the street, without any stays, and stay at a prime IHG property for free. This kills reward night availability.
2.) The top points rate is far too low. 70,000 points for that room is a "steal" in terms of valuation for IHG points. Combine that with the 4th night free, and it makes complete sense to save up your points for these stays, vs paying cash. Using points should not offer you a "Discount" it should be a way that you're cashing in on what you earned, to not have to spend money out of pocket.
This hotel should realistically not be under 100,000 points per night. Even that is generous.
Well, we can spin this in any way we want. Others can also say that because IHG portfolio is so crappy, other than the few IC properties, the rest are just not worth considering compared to other chains. They are using the aspirational IC properties to prop up the valuation of their chase cards, otherwise people would not bother with their cards. They either make money via selling the rooms cash, attracting loyal customers, or via credit card transaction / annual fees. I am sure in their calculation, this is worth it, that's why they have the system the way it is. In that way, the system isn't really broken for IHG.
On top of that, scarcity could be real, or artificial. How does one know how many room do they release per property per day for reward nights? If they give out one room per day for this property (hypothetical), and that's it, then go blame them, not the people who book the rooms. I suspect this property is doing just that, as suspiciously, there is exactly one room available in the few days I manage to catch award availability.