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 12, 2016, 12:59 pm
#2731
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 35
ended up with 59,000 points. but only 23500 have posted after several weeks. anyone have luck emailing ihg or HW to get points to post?
would also be nice to figure out how to get 1,000 extra points for one extravagant stay (60k). any suggestions (don't have the CC... and no other ihg activity - i've been an SG person).
would also be nice to figure out how to get 1,000 extra points for one extravagant stay (60k). any suggestions (don't have the CC... and no other ihg activity - i've been an SG person).
Feb 12, 2016, 1:44 pm
#2732
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: BOS
Posts: 1,461
I've received 25 plays so far, out of 58. I had one 5K winner.
My spouse has received 17 out of 57.
His arrived in his email in two large batches, and mine in three. Because of that, I'm worried that some went astray. We were late submitting though, so we'll see.
My spouse has received 17 out of 57.
His arrived in his email in two large batches, and mine in three. Because of that, I'm worried that some went astray. We were late submitting though, so we'll see.
Feb 12, 2016, 4:21 pm
#2733
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
Just had some points post to my account
Feb 12, 2016, 4:45 pm
#2734
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 188
Mailed 19 entries 2/5 and received all of them today (2/12)
Feb 12, 2016, 4:49 pm
#2735
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 188
Forgot to mention that my other plays that I received and played on 2/3 and 2/6 has been posted to my account on 2/9 and 2/12 respectively
Feb 12, 2016, 5:07 pm
#2736
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Atlanta
Programs: HH Diamond Elite, IHG Platinum Elite, SPG
Posts: 30
sent 30 on Dec 8th and remaining on last week of Dec and still didn't receive anything... got generic reply ... lets see ...
Feb 12, 2016, 5:32 pm
#2737
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 60
Sent an email about fiance's missing 4 plays last night. She gets reply and plays today. I am still waiting for my missing 68 plays after four emails since last week. LOL.
But in terms of the program, the points and popularity of the program was a success. But the execution by HelloWorld has been a little lackluster. They were not ready for the exposure so lots of ppl are still waiting for plays, and then there LIFO processing of entries have a lot of people confused on when and if they will get points. Thus all the emails. Crazy stuff. Hopefuly something was.learned for future promotions.
But in terms of the program, the points and popularity of the program was a success. But the execution by HelloWorld has been a little lackluster. They were not ready for the exposure so lots of ppl are still waiting for plays, and then there LIFO processing of entries have a lot of people confused on when and if they will get points. Thus all the emails. Crazy stuff. Hopefuly something was.learned for future promotions.
Feb 12, 2016, 5:34 pm
#2738
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 393
I almost wonder if the bigger cost for IHG in this promotion is just the admin of dealing with all the calls/emails/back and forth with HelloWorld as opposed to actually giving out the points.
Sent an email about fiance's missing 4 plays last night. She gets reply and plays today. I am still waiting for my missing 68 plays after four emails since last week. LOL.
But in terms of the program, the points and popularity of the program was a success. But the execution by HelloWorld has been a little lackluster. They were not ready for the exposure so lots of ppl are still waiting for plays, and then there LIFO processing of entries have a lot of people confused on when and if they will get points. Thus all the emails. Crazy stuff. Hopefuly something was.learned for future promotions.
But in terms of the program, the points and popularity of the program was a success. But the execution by HelloWorld has been a little lackluster. They were not ready for the exposure so lots of ppl are still waiting for plays, and then there LIFO processing of entries have a lot of people confused on when and if they will get points. Thus all the emails. Crazy stuff. Hopefuly something was.learned for future promotions.
Feb 12, 2016, 5:59 pm
#2739
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
grand total posted today.....
95 plays
5000 x 1
2000 x 2
1000 x 3
500 x 89
56,500 total points
594.74 points per spin
love it!
95 plays
5000 x 1
2000 x 2
1000 x 3
500 x 89
56,500 total points
594.74 points per spin
love it!
Feb 12, 2016, 7:53 pm
#2740
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 40
My wife's account had received all 94 e-mails, but the last 32 were on Jan. 19 when Hello World had their glitch. Each of those 32 won 500 points, but none of the points posted. I had to send two e-mails to Hello World before the points finally posted today. On my account I was missing 27 replies. Last week I found I was able to play 11 more times on one of my old e-mails and those points posted. I sent two more e-mails to Hello World about the remaining 16 e-mails. Today I found I was able to click through an old e-mail 16 times to play. Funny how I never got the last 27 e-mails, but eventually I was able to play.
In the end my wife's account only got 49,000 points while mine got 54,000. The biggest winners we had were one for 5,000 and one for 2,000. There were some hassles with this promotion, but I can't complain about getting over 100,000 free points. We've already used some of those points for a $768/night hotel in Osaka, Japan next month. I told a friend about the promotion and she just sent out 188 entries for her and her husband last week. She's already received a bunch of e-mails and won a free night at any hotel and $50!
In the end my wife's account only got 49,000 points while mine got 54,000. The biggest winners we had were one for 5,000 and one for 2,000. There were some hassles with this promotion, but I can't complain about getting over 100,000 free points. We've already used some of those points for a $768/night hotel in Osaka, Japan next month. I told a friend about the promotion and she just sent out 188 entries for her and her husband last week. She's already received a bunch of e-mails and won a free night at any hotel and $50!
Last edited by jackstraw22; Feb 12, 2016 at 8:17 pm
Feb 12, 2016, 7:55 pm
#2741
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 147
Got 18 more this morning. Mailed 94, but received 92 total, not too concerned if the last two don't make it. Results:
88 x 500
2 x 1000
2 x 2000
Exactly 50,000 points total. Not a bad investment.
88 x 500
2 x 1000
2 x 2000
Exactly 50,000 points total. Not a bad investment.
Feb 12, 2016, 8:01 pm
#2742
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 222
does it still make sense to write some up tonight and send out early tomorrow morning?
Feb 12, 2016, 8:23 pm
#2743
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 394
Emailed IHG about my missing plays for stays, around 8 missing after getting the 1000 points all right on the 1st stay. IHG response refers me to HW. Duh, I don't think so. HW is managing the mail-in plays, only, I think. It should be IHG's data on stays that generates those plays. So much for their hotel promo.
So, with no time left to quibble, wrote out the last 8 cards and mailed today, Friday.
No one will care to hear this, I'm sure, so forgive me, but the 3x5 cards were continuous perforated index cards I've been trying to use up for 20 years, a box I've moved from office to office. Given to me by the ex-wife of a dentist who killed himself. She was unstable after that, almost set fire to her house. Last I heard, she walked in front of a train. I feel guilty not following up with her friends who had promised to see about care for their two little daughters. Those are the people I think about each time as I'm filling out the cards, and just to say that they are remembered. Sad story, but it does keep me from worrying about small things like my points. Happier, too, that most of the people I've known have survived their life crises.
As for IHG, we've learned, I think, that they reimburse hotels very little for points stays, something like $25-$35 depending on booking capacity. So, we might value them at saving us $5-$7 per 1000, but I'm guessing they cost IHG only $1-$3 per thousand.
So, with no time left to quibble, wrote out the last 8 cards and mailed today, Friday.
No one will care to hear this, I'm sure, so forgive me, but the 3x5 cards were continuous perforated index cards I've been trying to use up for 20 years, a box I've moved from office to office. Given to me by the ex-wife of a dentist who killed himself. She was unstable after that, almost set fire to her house. Last I heard, she walked in front of a train. I feel guilty not following up with her friends who had promised to see about care for their two little daughters. Those are the people I think about each time as I'm filling out the cards, and just to say that they are remembered. Sad story, but it does keep me from worrying about small things like my points. Happier, too, that most of the people I've known have survived their life crises.
As for IHG, we've learned, I think, that they reimburse hotels very little for points stays, something like $25-$35 depending on booking capacity. So, we might value them at saving us $5-$7 per 1000, but I'm guessing they cost IHG only $1-$3 per thousand.
Feb 12, 2016, 9:24 pm
#2744
formerly chrisbarnett01
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 350
Well, today 2500 points posted to my account. Prior to today, I had mailed 46 entries, and had points posted from 44. I went ahead and sent the rest of my entries this week, plus one extra, totalling 95. I was thinking one had been lost.
Now I have points from 49 plays posted, out of 46 entries. With 49 more currently in route to HW.
It will be interesting to see what happens now. 95 mailed entries, plus points from 3? plays above what I mailed, which will total 98.
I have a feeling they will just cap me at 94, but I will report back.
Now I have points from 49 plays posted, out of 46 entries. With 49 more currently in route to HW.
It will be interesting to see what happens now. 95 mailed entries, plus points from 3? plays above what I mailed, which will total 98.
I have a feeling they will just cap me at 94, but I will report back.
Feb 12, 2016, 10:38 pm
#2745
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440