2014 Pointbreaks discussion
Nov 9, 2014, 9:36 am
#721
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Blame internet and blogs, everyman and his dog re-broadcasting this info and those with no jobs making a living on the internet reselling anything of value they can get cheaply.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
For every 5,000 Elite Qualifying Points earned, each member could be given one non-transferable PB certificate, of which the member can redeem for a PB night by using a co-pay of 5,000 - X,000 reward points within 12 months after the PB certificate issued. So in theory a Gold member can use a maximum of 4 PB nights per year and a platinum can use up to 10 nights per year. If you want more, spend more. This would solve all the problem of availabilities and fairness. A member spend more with IHG should be give more opportunities of PB.
I know in heart the idea will not be popular but it would serve the purpose.
Nov 9, 2014, 10:45 am
#722
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Somewhere in Europe
Posts: 3,362
I'd restrict it to a maximum of two nights available for anyone to book in the first forty eight/seventy two hours to allow everyone a chance of booking then make it a free for all with what's left.
I'd also change the list monthly personally but again what suits me won't suit the next person.
I also view PBs as a cheap getaway to some random place and if nothing suits fair dos. Probably being in the UK helps with that one as the lists haven't been too kind this year, although HI Southend is a pretty solid property.
One thing I would do straightaway is stop the previews and just post the list on IHG once it's available. As scuba said earlier it creates a frenzy which is becoming unhealthy.
I'd also change the list monthly personally but again what suits me won't suit the next person.
I also view PBs as a cheap getaway to some random place and if nothing suits fair dos. Probably being in the UK helps with that one as the lists haven't been too kind this year, although HI Southend is a pretty solid property.
One thing I would do straightaway is stop the previews and just post the list on IHG once it's available. As scuba said earlier it creates a frenzy which is becoming unhealthy.
Nov 9, 2014, 9:54 pm
#723
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
Blame internet and blogs, everyman and his dog re-broadcasting this info and those with no jobs making a living on the internet reselling anything of value they can get cheaply.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
Internet spivs are also booking out + re-selling the nicer PB hotels upfront , eg China, Russia, Africa has people making a living from the internet, despite IHG's recent attempts to limit rogue abuse booking/reslling use of PBs, that abuse it is going to prove impossible to wipe out.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
Internet spivs are also booking out + re-selling the nicer PB hotels upfront , eg China, Russia, Africa has people making a living from the internet, despite IHG's recent attempts to limit rogue abuse booking/reslling use of PBs, that abuse it is going to prove impossible to wipe out.
Nov 10, 2014, 1:16 am
#724
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
Just because you are RA/Plat, doesn't mean that you don't sell rooms. Someone posted a link on taobao.com showing that an elite ihg member is trying to offer booking staycation (40% bar with breakfast) for 50rmb (the guy also gets stay credit). It's easy to gain paid night in China, and because of that ihg should exclude all the Chinese members from pb?
Nov 10, 2014, 1:59 am
#725
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
For me, I'd be happy if they had a preview limited to RA members with over 1.5 million points in the bank 
But that's selfish. And, anyway, I'm due to drift out of my ambassadorial robes next year.
It's probably helpful to look beyond what suits individuals, and try to see what IHG/Priority Club hope to achieve with the PB. There's probably no great interest in concentrating the benefit on elite members: today's marketing is all about noise on social media.
But that's selfish. And, anyway, I'm due to drift out of my ambassadorial robes next year.
It's probably helpful to look beyond what suits individuals, and try to see what IHG/Priority Club hope to achieve with the PB. There's probably no great interest in concentrating the benefit on elite members: today's marketing is all about noise on social media.
Nov 10, 2014, 5:37 am
#727
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: IHG, RC, HH, AA, QF, UA, Aeroplan
Posts: 2,690
For me, I'd be happy if they had a preview limited to RA members with over 1.5 million points in the bank
But that's selfish. And, anyway, I'm due to drift out of my ambassadorial robes next year.
It's probably helpful to look beyond what suits individuals, and try to see what IHG/Priority Club hope to achieve with the PB. There's probably no great interest in concentrating the benefit on elite members: today's marketing is all about noise on social media.
But that's selfish. And, anyway, I'm due to drift out of my ambassadorial robes next year.
It's probably helpful to look beyond what suits individuals, and try to see what IHG/Priority Club hope to achieve with the PB. There's probably no great interest in concentrating the benefit on elite members: today's marketing is all about noise on social media.
Nov 12, 2014, 7:57 am
#728
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: mountains of western NC
Programs: Life, Love and Laughter
Posts: 8,539
For those wondering when a new list will come out, please note that in 2014, the new list has been available for booking on the last Monday before the previous list expires (and a preview has been released on the Friday prior to that Monday). That doesn't mean that IHG won't change this pattern, because previous patterns have changed before.......
So, if the current pattern holds, look for a preview on Sept. 26 and a new list on Sept. 29.
Here is a list of when Pointbreaks have become available in the past 3+ years:
Pointbreaks during 2011-2014
2/28/2011 list for redemptions through 4/30/2011
4/25/2011 existing list extended thru 5/15/2011
5/9/2011 new list through 7/30/2011
7/18/2011 new list through 9/30/2011
9/19/2011 new list through 11/30/2011
11/22/2011 new list through 1/31/2012
1/23/2012 new list through 3/31/2012
3/30/2012 new list through 5/31/2012
5/22/2012 new list through 7/31/2012
7/30/2012 new list through 10/15/2012
10/8/2012 new list through 12/10/2012
12/3/2012 new list through 1/31/2013
1/28/2013 new list through 3/31/2013
3/25/2013 new list through 6/30/2013
6/27/2013 new list through 8/31/2013
8/26/2013 new list through 10/31/2013
10/30/2013 new list through 1/31/2014
1/27/2014 new list through 3/31/2014
3/24/2014 new list through 5/31/2014
5/27/2014 new list through 7/31/2014
7/28/2014 new list through 9/30/2014
So, if the current pattern holds, look for a preview on Sept. 26 and a new list on Sept. 29.
Here is a list of when Pointbreaks have become available in the past 3+ years:
Pointbreaks during 2011-2014
2/28/2011 list for redemptions through 4/30/2011
4/25/2011 existing list extended thru 5/15/2011
5/9/2011 new list through 7/30/2011
7/18/2011 new list through 9/30/2011
9/19/2011 new list through 11/30/2011
11/22/2011 new list through 1/31/2012
1/23/2012 new list through 3/31/2012
3/30/2012 new list through 5/31/2012
5/22/2012 new list through 7/31/2012
7/30/2012 new list through 10/15/2012
10/8/2012 new list through 12/10/2012
12/3/2012 new list through 1/31/2013
1/28/2013 new list through 3/31/2013
3/25/2013 new list through 6/30/2013
6/27/2013 new list through 8/31/2013
8/26/2013 new list through 10/31/2013
10/30/2013 new list through 1/31/2014
1/27/2014 new list through 3/31/2014
3/24/2014 new list through 5/31/2014
5/27/2014 new list through 7/31/2014
7/28/2014 new list through 9/30/2014
If IHG continues its pattern of offering a new list on the last Monday before the previous list expires, we can expect a new list on Monday, 11/24 at approximately 9am EST.
If there is a preview list, it should come out on Friday, 11/21.
Nov 12, 2014, 10:08 am
#729
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 140
Blame internet and blogs, everyman and his dog re-broadcasting this info and those with no jobs making a living on the internet reselling anything of value they can get cheaply.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
Internet spivs are also booking out + re-selling the nicer PB hotels upfront , eg China, Russia, Africa has people making a living from the internet, despite IHG's recent attempts to limit rogue abuse booking/reslling use of PBs, that abuse it is going to prove impossible to wipe out.
I would like to see PB's in first 3days restricted to Platinums and first 7days to Platinums+Golds ; or better those with 50nights + 20nights to block out the IHGers with zero paid qualifying nights the previous IHG year, eg the USA CC Platinums who earn points on CC their spend and only stay at IHG on PB's. Basically reward those IHGers who pay to stay with a chance to book a PB.
Internet spivs are also booking out + re-selling the nicer PB hotels upfront , eg China, Russia, Africa has people making a living from the internet, despite IHG's recent attempts to limit rogue abuse booking/reslling use of PBs, that abuse it is going to prove impossible to wipe out.
Very well articulated, scubaccr. I could not agree more. Evidently the two stay cap per property on PB has not solved the issue of hoarding of rooms by freeloaders, bargain hunters and, worse, internet scalpers out to abuse the system and make life more difficult for legit IHG members who pay out of pocket.
Rather that using social media as a tool to recruit further abusers, IHG should be making every effort to mitigate abuse from freeloaders, scammers and other revenue-sucking targets.
Long-term, IHG would be wise to focus on maintaining loyal customers who pay cash for their stays. Take care of your revenue-generating customers and they will take care of you. Benefits (such as PB) should be tied directly to loyalty. IHG already have a clear, objective measure in their system: paid stays.
Nov 12, 2014, 11:53 am
#730
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,095
If you think RA should have priority to book PB, then the referral certs might go up in price.
Nov 12, 2014, 8:11 pm
#731
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: IND
Posts: 2,005
Since my speculation was correct last time (preview 9/26, full list 9/29), I will offer my best guess again.
If IHG continues its pattern of offering a new list on the last Monday before the previous list expires, we can expect a new list on Monday, 11/24 at approximately 9am EST.
If there is a preview list, it should come out on Friday, 11/21.
If IHG continues its pattern of offering a new list on the last Monday before the previous list expires, we can expect a new list on Monday, 11/24 at approximately 9am EST.
If there is a preview list, it should come out on Friday, 11/21.
Nov 13, 2014, 3:41 am
#732
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Nov 15, 2014, 7:09 pm
#733
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: La Jolla
Programs: La Quinta Elite IHGSPIRE HH Diamond BW Diamond Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 152
Interesting discussion here. During the two most recent Point Breaks I had no problem getting the California weekends I wanted.
Nov 16, 2014, 11:24 pm
#734
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: HAK / HFE / NYC / SIN / SZX
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Honors Diamond, IHG Diamond Amb, Marriott Platinum,SQ, DL, AA, Hyatt
Posts: 688
Nov 20, 2014, 10:11 am
#735
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: ICH Plt Royal Amb, Hertz 5*, Hyatt Plat, HHons,
Posts: 298
Has the Priority Club Connect online forum closed
I used to watch the Priority Club Connect online forum for the points break preview list but the link is now showing as 'not found' does anyone have a working link to where the preview list might come up?
thanks
thanks