I have been toying with the idea of joining this for a while. Now that I found I can join with points I think I just might. While I might not stay at the Burswood Intercontinental, I do eat there several times a year, the discount will be good to have :)

Yeah, I had never really seriously looked at the programme, but for 30,000 points it does look very tempting.

I had wondered whether, as an RA and a PC Plat., it was something I 'needed', but looks like it will save me quite a bit of cash on leisure stays in the region and in Oz, and I do do quite a few of those (and have some coming up in Jan.).

A couple of questions/clarifications for those of you who know the prog. if you don't mind :-

1) Do the BOGOF certs work at all IC properties in the programme, and can they be used anytime ?

2) On perthite's point, do meal discounts etc apply any time, or only in conjunction with a hotel stay ?

3) Can I join with a UK address or do I need an Asia/Oz one to do so ?

4) How do you get the 10% off bookings - do all res. have to be made via a particular link or does it work it out automatically ?

5) And, finally, do you still get Plat. and RA benefits in conjuction with all this, and has anyone had probs earning PC points on these rates/BOGOF nights etc ?

Ta guys !

I'll try to answer the questions that I can. For me I had bought Priority Privilege from the IC Singapore, so can't comment on some aspects, but will try to answer.

1) Do the BOGOF certs work at all IC properties in the programme, and can they be used anytime ? All the extra certificates only work at those in the region you buy it in (so AUS, NZ and Fiji if bought in Aus), rather than throughout the whole region. They can only be used when there's availability at the hotel - and given the discount is off the Best Flexible rate, the savings aren't that spectacular.

2) On perthite's point, do meal discounts etc apply any time, or only in conjunction with a hotel stay ? Meal discounts and coupons can be used at any time - there's a few blackout dates (Christmas Eve/Day. New Year's Eve, Valentines Day, Mother's Day). Those only apply to dining though, accommodation discounts still apply.

3) Can I join with a UK address or do I need an Asia/Oz one to do so ? Should be no worries - they sent me Singaporean Membership out to Australia without a problem (just a little slower due to postal delays).

4) How do you get the 10% off bookings - do all res. have to be made via a particular link or does it work it out automatically ? It's easiest if you make the bookings online - their reservation page basically dumps the appropriate codes for the booking into the Priority Club booking page, so it's just like booking on the Priority Club website. I've managed to get the discount applied at check-in as well, but you'll want to be carrying the Terms & Conditions, as most staff have no idea about the accommodation discounts, they assume it only applies for dining.

5) And, finally, do you still get Plat. and RA benefits in conjuction with all this, and has anyone had probs earning PC points on these rates/BOGOF nights etc ? When booking the 10% off discounts I've received full points and Plat/Amb benefits (still 100% for upgrades). Didn't receive points on Comp Night certificate in SIN, but that gives a completely free night, rather than buy one get one free (and still got upgraded).

Thanks ever so much for that GibSpmuh, great info, much appreciated.

Oh, and having looked at it a little more, just one more little question please - how does the 'year' work ? I.e. is it one year from when you join, or done by calendar year ?


P.S. - In the T&Cs, in the 'Accommodation Benefits, General' section, clause 8 says : "Frequent Flyer points will not be awarded when certificates are used for accommodation".

For me, I bought my membership card in May 2005, and it's valid until the end of June 2006. Not sure if everyone will have the same outcome though, but looks to be basically a year from when you join, rather than Calendar year.

Thanks GibSpmuh.

Discounted price on Australian PP membership
 

Just got back from a stay down at the HI Melbourne, and noticed there's a promotion going on at the moment until the end of next month to get PP Membership for $195. You can sign up at www.priorityprivilege.com/unwind if it's of any interest at all (saving $53 off the normal price). Not too shabby a discount anyway!

Sounds like a good offer to me. I am probably going to be spending a bit of time in Mel this year, so these offers could be handy. Now just wish there was an actual IC there :)

As an aside, someone must have recommended me for the Accor equivalent - cause I keep getting marketing calls from them.

I looked into the program, and think the 30,000 points is the better "payment" option, but I don't think there is much benefit to the program for me as I use IC all round Asia Pacific and Middle East, but not locally to the extent I would get the benefits.

I had come to the conclusion, that just what I had done over the past year would have covered the cost of the card. And if I had a card, I would probably be tempted to have more meals at an appropriate hotel. I know when I stay at these hotels I often don't actually eat in the hotel, as it is usually cheaper and better to go elsewhere. But this would turn the tables a bit on the $$$$ part of the equation.

If the price was $250 odd the 30000 points is a better option, but at $195 seems more six of one, half a dozen of the other type comparison to me.

Agree. I prefer to eat out, it is cheaper, more variety, etc - even on my own. I also get to eat a lot of hotel food for lunch as i facilitate training, so dinner there is way down the list of preferences, which again negates much of the card value for me.

The discounts for rooms also seem on par with the corporate rates I get anyway.

I wouldn't be surprised if IC tokyo come aboard shorlty, everytime I phone the membership service team there seems to be anonther Asia hotel accepting the card..

Bloody Brilliant price, I'm due to renew again think I will get back in. Used the card quite a few times last year, actually found it of benefit not only for the accommodation but it helps on the breakfast savings espically for two people.

Also now that there is Crowne Plaza in Melbourne, look forward to using it in Melbourne as well

3points ^

I have read through this thread and it appears that there are no issues getting the points when you use the 10% discount on accommodation, but what experience do people have with the vouchers, such as the $130 Crowne Plaza voucher? Any problem getting the points for those stays?

I don't know the answer to that but I can also report that points are awarded on the 10% off rates.

By the way, how long does it take them to send the membership pack? I joined in Feb and still haven't received it...works without the card though if you quote them the number.

I found that availability using the BOGOF cert is extremely limited. Not like the AMB BOGOF cert at all. Basically, couldn't find any availability on any weekend at IC Sydney. Quite disappointed by that. Same applies to the 10% off rates if you want to use it for the 14 day Adv Purchase rate. It's most often not available and you have to pay for the Best Available Rate in the end.

Does anyone know how this $50 voucher works? If you stay on a certificate you can't use it for the room charges, but can you use it for dinner charges even though you already got 50% off with your dining card? Basically, you could get a dinner for 2 for free if you spend $100 in total (50% off and then $50 off). Probably doesn't work like this though...