Interestingly, I have not had an issue using BOGOs. From time to time, they haven't had any availability, but generally have been ok. I am going to wait to see the actual offering from IHG Dining before forming a final opinion.

Hi all. Virgin post so please be gentle.

I was recently offered, as part of my Priority Privilege (PP) renewal, 3 "Free Nights" certificates in lieu of the standard 2-for-1 certificates. The free nights were to the value of $600 per night (it meant that I could book a suite if I wanted to). The offer also made was that all future benefits were now to be extended to all 4,500 hotels under the IHG group. Sadly, when I tried to make a reservation, no such offer was available. When the tickets arrived, there were no 3 Free nights Certificates in the Benefits Package. I contacted PP and they said that all salesmen were very experienced and that they all stuck very closely to a script and that no-one would ever offer anything that is not available and so forth.

The problem for PP is that the call was recorded, as allowed under the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 section 7(3), in which there was no ambiguity at all what was being offered. They have well and truly been caught with their pants down.

I have started to take this up with the OFT and plan take this also to both the UCCC and ASIC as it is clearly predatory and fraudulent.

I do ask, though, if anyone else was offered the same as I was as the case officer from the OFT is very keen to know. Please PM me.

Not sure about that specific offer, but there are many reports from many people about offers being made by the PP sales force, that are ultimately either not honoured (extra certs etc), or spin the program in a way suggesting certain things that aren't the case.

I suspect that the behaviour is one of the reasons IHG have decided to move onto their own program...

You'd have to think that would have been a primary reason!!

Indubitably just another example of very poor IHG management, outsourcing to a similar incompetent outfit, guilt by association, many other examples in this thread

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...l#post23195063

Received this email today. PP expired and I didn't renew as I currently have no trips to the region planned this year, possibly next year when I would consider joining up again. However, seems this is the only option now:

Your Priority Privilege membership has expired.

Dear Shareholder,

Thank you for being a Priority Privilege member. We trust you have enjoyed the benefits of your membership over the past year. Did you know your current membership expired on 15 July? We want to introduce you to an exciting, all-new, rewards programme that could seamlessly replace your Priority Privilege membership.

IHG® Dining Rewards is the result of over two years of work with our members to develop a rewards programme that gives you even more of what you really want – outstanding dining and accommodation benefits that you can enjoy in more places, more easily and more often.

Here are just some of the benefits you will start enjoying immediately as an IHG Dining Rewards member, whether you are travelling or close to home:

• One Free Night at any of IHG’s 4,700+ properties worldwide.
• A$50 Dining e-Voucher*
• 25% off all dining and beverages at hundreds of participating restaurants
• Instant one-level status upgrade in IHG Rewards Club.

It is also a more global rewards programme that can help you strengthen all of your important relationships, from family and friends to valued business associates throughout Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu and now China, with even more countries joining in soon.

With benefits like these and more, you can see why we’re so excited about our new IHG Dining Rewards programme and why we believe you should join immediately. Just call 1800 226 462 (Australia Toll Free) or 0800 26 44 42 (New Zealand Toll Free) Monday - Friday 9am to 6pm AEST and start enjoying dining, beverage & accommodation benefits in more places, more easily and more often. Make the switch to IHG Dining Rewards today!

Yours sincerely,

Brian Ericson
Director, Loyalty Programs
IHG

PS For a growing list of participating hotels across Australasia and China please visit ihgdiningrewards.com. Soon you'll be able to use your benefits at even more participating IHG hotels across Asia and the Middle East.

---------------

No further details, though I see by the link in Montaray's post, it costs U$395. As I am likely to drop down to Gold status in the Rewards program next year (currently extended to July 2015 through the Ambassador program though) it may be worth joining since I do have travels in Asia and China specifically in 2015. The comp night, 25% and 10% Best Flex rate discounts, and status upgrade could be worth the cost, though will wait until next January to see if my status drops down to Gold then, or hold through to the end of July and my Ambassador benefit year.

As for PP itself, I've found it a good investment given the cost and the benefits. I had been a "member" for several years and saved a good number of dollars on stays and meals, even with vouchers left over (but always finding a good home as they became more transferable).

Hi Shareholder, thanks for sharing that email.

FYI the price is slightly different depending on where you are living. If you are in Australia the price is AUD 319, not USD 395 which I gather is a global price (for people outside Australia and NZ).

I agree I think the program makes sense in terms of value, I think the global free night is a step forward from Priority Privilege as you pretty much get the value of the program back straight away with that one night.

Thanks for the rate clarification. (Do you think they actually forecast the A$ to rise that much against the U$? ;) ) Must remember to register as an Aussie if I take it up next year.

Does anyone have a link to the PP booking website - it seems to have disappeared off the homepage.
The only booking link I can see is for the Newsletter offers - where have the 10%/25% off and 2 for 1 rates gone?

With 5 months still to run on my membership I hope they haven't eliminated all the certificates/ discount benefits to punish us in celebration of their new Dining program

The Contact Us link on the webpage doesn't seem to actually submit any message you input

Try these links. You will need to select the correct rate in the Rate Preference dropdown....

10% off Best Flexible Rate
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/rese...eference=IDPMF

10% off Advance Purchase rate (5 day)
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/rese...eference=IDPM5

10% off Advance Purchase rate (14 day)
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/rese...eference=IDP14

25% off Best Flexible Voucher
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/rese...eference=IDPMC

Buy One Get One Voucher
http://www.ihg.com/hotels/us/en/rese...eference=IDPBG

Thanks for anticipating my next post which was to ask for the codes :-:

Over half way through September and it seems no September Newsletter offers for Priority Privilege for the month.

More than 2 months since the new IHG Dining Rewards Program commenced and at least in Asia/Pacific I can't find a single hotel that has one of the touted special offers which I presumed would be similar to the defunct PP Newsletter offers

New program, same over-promise/under-deliver issues.

It appears as though the offers might have started: http://www.ihg.com/hotels/gb/en/global/fnb/offers#aust

The look pretty good, some solid discounts.

Thanks for updating that JC2000 and welcome to Flyertalk.

It is good to see those offers but it seems that the really good deals are over -
1)No BOGOF offers unfortunately. The best deal offered now seems to be 25% off Flexible Rate
2)One month offer period rather than the 2 that have been the norm recently with PP
3)No online booking facility for the offers it seems - have to call to use offer
4)Some of the offers are vague eg The IC Adelaide - up to 25% off and the CP Canberra has a Floriade package offer but there is no indication of pricing.

It may be a work in progress and I may be somewhat negative but the above changes plus the fact that the Priority Privilege website seems to have been deactivated despite the fact that there are still active paid-up members leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Somewhat out of the blue, I got a newsletter today! Probably matching the Dining Rewards offers...

Accommodation Offers: http://www.priorityprivilege.com/new...dation-offers/
Dining Offers: http://www.priorityprivilege.com/new...dining-offers/