Raffles

Presumably it uses normal award availability, so it may just be the cheapest or they may open up different levels on quiet days.

Clearwater

Having previously booked reward nights at the same hotel where I booked using the free night voucher, I can confirm you are given the same room as if booking on points. I would suggest therefore you check room availability on points first before you make the phone call.

I wish I only had to pay £75 for club access, the hotel I have booked is around £115 per day but I still find that it is worth it.

tangey

Thats what I thought, which brings me to wonder why they don't just make the award say 40K points into your PCR account. It would be much easier for them to admin, no having to phone up to make the booking, and no expiry.

yes I realise that 40K doesn't get you a free night at most ICH, but I imagine most people would prefer the flexibility of having 40K points in their account.

SHRMark

Has anyone tried applying for a Paytag with this card and got success? It's a shame Barclaycard don't provide contactless to the PC card.

pazza2000

How long 'now' are the free night certificate's taking to be received following surpassing the required 10k+ spend threshold?

McCoy

Just received a presumably targeted email from PC, offering what I assume is the same card, but with an interesting twist!..

--
"Earn 40,000 bonus points
and VIP airport lounge access with
Priority Pass™

As a valued Ambassador here's your opportunity to earn 40,000 bonus points with the brand NEW Priority Club® Rewards Black Visa®. That's enough for a Free Night stay at the InterContinental Porto - Palacio Das Cardosas.

Plus as an exclusive limited time offer, receive a 1 year membership with Priority Pass inclusive of your first 3 visits* free of charge. Relax in over 600 VIP airport lounges worldwide and turn your travel into a reward.

As a cardholder, you'll benefit from:
• 4 points for every £1 spend at IHG hotels and abroad
• 2 points for every £1 spend anywhere else
• Free Night every year valid at our 4,500 hotels worldwide,
when you spend £10,000 or more on the card per year

Start earning points today and make your next Free Night even closer.

Offer ends 15 August 2012."

TravellerFrequently

McCoy, I received the same email.

Interesting? yes, but convincing me to apply?, probably not.

I have status with BA, so lounge access is usuallu not an issue, especially as I travel with them most often.

Som guaranteed upgrades would be more enticing.

I am sure, however, that this will be an attractive proposition for many.

McCoy

I thought about it for a short while.. mainly because the 40k points for £99 is a good deal.
Like you, don't need the Priority pass (and actually already have it via AmexPlat)

But reading the experiences above with their CS put me off the 'hassle'..

wobbly wings

I got this too. Is it 40k credit after spending 10k and no annual fee?

Raffles

No, looks like this version has no fee refund. You might want to try the link to the other version which has no Priority Pass but refunds your £99.

wobbly wings

Now found the offer above does attract a £99 fee. I've tried the link on the first page (a few posts down) but I now see no mention of the fee refund.

21H21J

You can buy Priority Pass for £69 and £15 per visit, so the new deal puts you £15 ahead. But if you didn't already have lounge access, then you'd be better off with the Standard Plus deal for £159 and 10 visits included. Or just pre-book it for £15-20 online.

40k + £99 fee refunded is the one to go for.

Raffles

Link referenced here http://headforpoints.com/2012/06/30/...-card-sign-up/ does still show fee refund.

chistery

The black card also seems to give Platinum Elite status.

EDIflyer

Is that an extra promo? When they gave you 40,000 points that was enough for instant Gold status (20k reqd), with 20,000 more required for Plat status (60k reqd).