soitgoes

Well, we all know PCR has major IT limitations. We also know that this whole 100 point quiz posting issue was an IT error as well. We also have reason to believe that some users racked up well, well, well in excess of one quiz per country. When someone is afraid that there is a big problem, often the reaction will be to over-reach and turn everything off. The IT department doesn't want to be blamed for costing IHG mega bucks for redemptions from accounts with mega duplicate postings, but they may not be the ones to decide what is tolerable and what is not, so they err on the side of caution. In the big picture, it's probably a mistake to over-reach, but if one is afraid of costing one's employer money and needing to act quickly, then over-reaching may happen.

It wouldn't surprise me if some of those racking up 100s of thousands of points immediately placed redemption orders for gift cards, etc.

yyliu88

my estimation of 100K was obvious wrong

bitthehandthatfeeds

Yes, Yes, and Yes, they did. After I completed each survey one time, I completled one of them a second time and realized that it let me. I spent about 2 minutes throwing together a quick script that would submit the form automatically (in a loop), just to see if it worked.

I ran the script and stepped away from the computer to use the restroom. I came back a few short minutes later and stopped the script. I didn't know if it worked or not, but when I logged into my PC account, I had several hundred thousand points that weren't there before.

Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but I realize that this was a big mistake. I'm sure there were others that did the same thing since it was so simple.


That being said, there was no WAY I intended for it to rack up points like that, and no I didn't try to redeem any. Now I just want my 100k points that I started with and will be happy forever.

Points Surfer

Sweep is expanding as some untouched prior are blocked now so if you're ok now don't assume you'll be in 5 minutes. Guess the lesson is one account for "safe" promo's + one disposable account for "FT". Seem to recall I posted comments a while ago about IHG tracking FT members via a viral offer....interesting.

soitgoes

Multiple accounts are clearly not allowed, so I wouldn't advise doing that.

Jaimito Cartero

If you went to the trouble to create a script, then you were obviously in it for more than just a few miles. It's wholesale abuse like this that will bring a lot of stuff to the surface, that we FT'ers don't want.

Points Surfer

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitthehandthatfeeds

Yes, Yes, and Yes, they did. After I completed each survey one time, I completled one of them a second time and realized that it let me. I spent about 2 minutes throwing together a quick script that would submit the form automatically (in a loop), just to see if it worked.

I ran the script and stepped away from the computer to use the restroom. I came back a few short minutes later and stopped the script. I didn't know if it worked or not, but when I logged into my PC account, I had several hundred thousand points that weren't there before.

Hindsight is 20/20 of course, but I realize that this was a big mistake. I'm sure there were others that did the same thing since it was so simple.


That being said, there was no WAY I intended for it to rack up points like that, and no I didn't try to redeem any. Now I just want my 100k points that I started with and will be happy forever.

Well if thats true...after that disclosure....maybe "you" should work for IHG IT !....or leave town.

Explains a lot about IHG's version of a 911 style panic shutdown reaction as it was a massive security breach from multiple channels ie Attack.

soitgoes

And this is just the one person who posted on here admitting it. There could have been many people (some doing this on multiple accounts). And there could have been those who let their script run for a longer time. It could have even corrupted their database.

bitthehandthatfeeds

Funny that you mentioned it. After seeing how poorly promos post, stays go missing, etc, I actually looked at their job listings. They didn't have anything though. I'd love to help them clean up their IT mess.

kanerf

This is precisely why a lot of sites now require you to enter the wierd looking letters in a box in order to confirm that you are a human and not a program. Look for this coming soon to PC.

Points Surfer

It was a joke...and plays back to "gamble with only what you can afford to lose"

turtlemichael

His defense reminds me of: "I didn't know the gun was loaded, and I'll never never do it again".

pmaddock

Well I spoke too soon - my account appears to have been locked out now. If anyone is counting on a 1K threshold you may be mistaken.

BingBongBoy

Will erxisting revenue bokings still be valid? Or will they have been canceled?

Thanks,

tigerwouldnt2009

It appears anyone who never did any 100pt surveys doesn't have any problems. So IHG IT can at least distinguish at that level which means they can also filter 1000 vs 100K so maybe in their stupidity of leaving the gate open they are on a witch hunt to deflect blame back on "untargeted" players.