Nov 2, 2015, 8:31 am
Last edit by: Suite Disposition
ALL THE URLS AND LINKS IN YOUR EMAILS ARE THE SAME. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO "REPLAY" A GIVEN EMAIL.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Priceless Surprises Promotion
Feb 5, 2016, 10:44 pm
#2431
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA, BA, Delta, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 718
So, there is hope for others who are still missing their links to play from 2015.
My assumption is that our "missing" entries were/are at the bottom of the bin which keeps being refilled with new entries, since my family entries from January had a short turnaround as well.
Last edited by ellylex; Feb 5, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Feb 6, 2016, 4:10 am
#2432
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
I will repeat again - today I finally received missing 41 entries from the 84 submissions mailed together from Dec 15.
So, there is hope for others who are still missing their links to play from 2015.
My assumption is that our "missing" entries were/are at the bottom of the bin which keeps being refilled with new entries, since my family entries from January had a short turnaround as well.
So, there is hope for others who are still missing their links to play from 2015.
My assumption is that our "missing" entries were/are at the bottom of the bin which keeps being refilled with new entries, since my family entries from January had a short turnaround as well.
Feb 6, 2016, 5:14 am
#2433
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: DAB
Posts: 54
28000 points earned from my 35 plays on 2/3 posted today, 2/6. Still waiting on 59 more plays (still getting the enthusiasm message when I click links again).
Feb 6, 2016, 6:01 am
#2434
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: GAI
Programs: TK *G, all statuses that come with Ritz, Amex Plat, Citi Prestige cards
Posts: 364
Sent 93 entries on 1/26. So far have received 44 plays. Most 500 points, 3 no wins, 4x 2k points, 1 1k points. Surprised that some came so soon; hoping that the rest aren't lost...
Feb 6, 2016, 6:36 am
#2435
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 394
Agree with others, despite the slow start and the glitches, at the end both HW and IHG came through. Even though this might not be their initial intent for the promo but they honor the rules (since it is bound by the law), plus the speed up of the process towards the end, deserves a big thanks. Hopefully anyone still misses the plays will receive them in coming days. Then it would be a happy ending for everyone.
"All's well that ends well." But, remember, "it ain't over till it's over." And who doesn't like a happy ending?
Feb 6, 2016, 7:06 am
#2436
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
This is why I suspect they'll use this model with the kinks worked out for a future promo. However, they'll do it for the Brits and Euros and others worldwide, and leave out the USA with its sweepstakes laws. (Unless sweeps are similarly regulated elsewhere.) Back to just being a hotel promo.
"All's well that ends well." But, remember, "it ain't over till it's over." And who doesn't like a happy ending?
"All's well that ends well." But, remember, "it ain't over till it's over." And who doesn't like a happy ending?
Im just happy that all of my plays have come thru, now I am doing it for my mom, so hoping hers come thru quick since the turnaround time seems fast now.
Feb 6, 2016, 9:33 am
#2437
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
I will repeat again - today I finally received missing 41 entries from the 84 submissions mailed together from Dec 15.
So, there is hope for others who are still missing their links to play from 2015.
My assumption is that our "missing" entries were/are at the bottom of the bin which keeps being refilled with new entries, since my family entries from January had a short turnaround as well.
So, there is hope for others who are still missing their links to play from 2015.
My assumption is that our "missing" entries were/are at the bottom of the bin which keeps being refilled with new entries, since my family entries from January had a short turnaround as well.
I also would like to thank those who started emailing HW as I believe this finally brought HW to take action to clear the backlogs of the mailings, as well as the kind souls who pointed out the FAQ on the play screen is where one could start the dialogue.
Fwiw, I sent a message via the FAQ, got a response timestamped just after 6pm Friday with a somewhat personalized wording that said it would investigate the issue and would get back to me (DH) next week, versus a canned reply as posted by others in the past. In less than an hour, all 34 of DH's missing plays came in - he had never received such a large number in any play batch until then. I don't know whether it is coincidence or someone really took a few minutes to look at his account and released all the processed entries. Alas no Group A in this household but we got the points as the Sweepstakes specified. That is all that matters.
I got a feeling that the play emails were not immediately sent right after the entries were processed. It looks like a 2-step process (if not more) - first the entries were manually processed to the IHG account numbers, then the accounts were flagged for NEXT batch of emailing the plays. If the 2nd step has not been done properly or it depends on the handling person how to perform the 2nd step, then the accounts affected are in limbo. Otherwise it is hard to explain why some people got their plays in large number each mailing, some got the plays in drips and some are still waiting and waiting. It is really a luck of draw.
With the step-up processing speed, hopefully everyone who has sent in entries would get everything back before March deadline which is for submission of plays. The deadline to submit entries is Feb 15 so time is running out on that but plays still have a few weeks to go.
Feb 6, 2016, 9:35 am
#2438
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
+3.
I also would like to thank those who started emailing HW as I believe this finally brought HW to take action to clear the backlogs of the mailings, as well as the kind souls who pointed out the FAQ on the play screen is where one could start the dialogue.
Fwiw, I sent a message via the FAQ, got a response timestamped just after 6pm Friday with a somewhat personalized wording that said it would investigate the issue and would get back to me (DH) next week, versus a canned reply as posted by others in the past. In less than an hour, all 34 of DH's missing plays came in - he had never received such a large number in any play batch until then. I don't know whether it is coincidence or someone really took a few minutes to look at his account and released all the processed entries. Alas no Group A in this household but we got the points as the Sweepstakes specified. That is all that matters.
I got a feeling that the play emails were not immediately sent right after the entries were processed. It looks like a 2-step process (if not more) - first the entries were manually processed to the IHG account numbers, then the accounts were flagged for NEXT batch of emailing the plays. If the 2nd step has not been done properly or it depends on the handling person how to perform the 2nd step, then the accounts affected are in limbo. Otherwise it is hard to explain why some people got their plays in large number each mailing, some got the plays in drips and some are still waiting and waiting. It is really a luck of draw.
With the step-up processing speed, hopefully everyone who has sent in entries would get everything back before March deadline which is for submission of plays. The deadline to submit entries is Feb 15 so time is running out on that but plays still have a few weeks to go.
I also would like to thank those who started emailing HW as I believe this finally brought HW to take action to clear the backlogs of the mailings, as well as the kind souls who pointed out the FAQ on the play screen is where one could start the dialogue.
Fwiw, I sent a message via the FAQ, got a response timestamped just after 6pm Friday with a somewhat personalized wording that said it would investigate the issue and would get back to me (DH) next week, versus a canned reply as posted by others in the past. In less than an hour, all 34 of DH's missing plays came in - he had never received such a large number in any play batch until then. I don't know whether it is coincidence or someone really took a few minutes to look at his account and released all the processed entries. Alas no Group A in this household but we got the points as the Sweepstakes specified. That is all that matters.
I got a feeling that the play emails were not immediately sent right after the entries were processed. It looks like a 2-step process (if not more) - first the entries were manually processed to the IHG account numbers, then the accounts were flagged for NEXT batch of emailing the plays. If the 2nd step has not been done properly or it depends on the handling person how to perform the 2nd step, then the accounts affected are in limbo. Otherwise it is hard to explain why some people got their plays in large number each mailing, some got the plays in drips and some are still waiting and waiting. It is really a luck of draw.
With the step-up processing speed, hopefully everyone who has sent in entries would get everything back before March deadline which is for submission of plays. The deadline to submit entries is Feb 15 so time is running out on that but plays still have a few weeks to go.
I am glad that you got your missing entries. I also got an email right before on b/f account about them looking into it and then next minute i look and OMG there are 71 entires!!! I literally almost fell off my seat at the baseball game I was at!!! LOL
Feb 6, 2016, 9:39 am
#2439
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA Exec Plat, UA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 77
I did a test run in November, sending in 3 entries entirely handwritten (including envelopes) and 3 entries where I printed the address and return address on the envelopes. Got all 6 emails by 1/5.
I sent the remainder of my entries once those points posted on 1/12, with all addresses printed on the envelopes. Received some emails from 1/19 to 1/26 and just kept playing.
Between IHG hotel stays and entries, I ended up getting 95 plays, yielding 56,500 points: one 5000, two 2000, three 1000, and eighty-nine 500.
Not too bad.
I sent the remainder of my entries once those points posted on 1/12, with all addresses printed on the envelopes. Received some emails from 1/19 to 1/26 and just kept playing.
Between IHG hotel stays and entries, I ended up getting 95 plays, yielding 56,500 points: one 5000, two 2000, three 1000, and eighty-nine 500.
Not too bad.
Feb 6, 2016, 9:41 am
#2440
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
This is why I suspect they'll use this model with the kinks worked out for a future promo. However, they'll do it for the Brits and Euros and others worldwide, and leave out the USA with its sweepstakes laws. (Unless sweeps are similarly regulated elsewhere.) Back to just being a hotel promo.
"All's well that ends well." But, remember, "it ain't over till it's over." And who doesn't like a happy ending?
"All's well that ends well." But, remember, "it ain't over till it's over." And who doesn't like a happy ending?
Feb 6, 2016, 10:20 am
#2441
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: IHG Priority Club Spire Ambassador, AA Platinum Pro, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 154
Haven't posted in a long time but I mailed 92 entries in last Saturday (Jan. 30) and received all of my plays today (Feb. 6). All of them in exactly a week! Very pleased with that turnaround. Time to play them and see how it goes!
Feb 6, 2016, 11:09 am
#2442
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 97
WOW! That's great!!! I mailed my first batch last Sat as well and no emails thus far. Maybe Monday.
Feb 6, 2016, 11:11 am
#2443
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: AUS
Programs: Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 66
Getting worried, only got 34/60 entries I sent in mid-December. I sent in 34 more entries 1/25-1/27 and heard nothing, have friends that sent in 1/30 and gotten all 94 entries. Haven't received any e-mails since 1/28. Should I send more entries?
Feb 6, 2016, 11:28 am
#2444
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
My vote is to write in to HW and have them look at ur account.
Feb 6, 2016, 11:58 am
#2445
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: AUS
Programs: Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 66