Starting 2013.1.1, only qualifying points count towards elite status
Dec 5, 2012, 2:07 pm
#91
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
According to the revised terms and conditions, the "PCR Bonus Points Packages" will continue to count as elite qualifying points. Just have few stays with properties that offer 5K to 10K bonuses for short stays and you are again qualified Platinum in 2013 in no time.
Dec 5, 2012, 6:19 pm
#92
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 81
Of note, if you have the Priority Club Chase Mastercard, you get to keep Platinum status for eternity with zero stays, zero points earned, and zero effort. Wonder when they'll change that perk of the card...
Certainly makes this policy change meaningless to cardholders anyway.
Certainly makes this policy change meaningless to cardholders anyway.
Dec 5, 2012, 7:44 pm
#93
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Of note,[B] if you have the Priority Club Chase Mastercard[/B], you get to keep Platinum status for eternity with zero stays, zero points earned, and zero effort. Wonder when they'll change that perk of the card...
Certainly makes this policy change meaningless to cardholders anyway.
Certainly makes this policy change meaningless to cardholders anyway.
Dec 5, 2012, 8:05 pm
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,720
Have your read this thread? The credit card you mention is only available in the USA. But the Priority Club program has members worldwide (and indeed, much of the discussion in this thread is by members who don't qualify for the credit card because they don't live in the USA.)
Dec 5, 2012, 8:56 pm
#95
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Canada, Eh?
Posts: 294
It's a MasterCard in Canada, with guaranteed Platinum status as long as you're an elite card member---and still advertised as such.
I was surprised, when I signed up, that the card was only good for one year.
The launch was a year ago.
Now I know why.
I was surprised, when I signed up, that the card was only good for one year.
The launch was a year ago.
Now I know why.
Dec 5, 2012, 10:41 pm
#96
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG Plat,MR Plat Spire Plat/IC Amb, Choice Plat, BW Plat
Posts: 1,320
I hope the PCR Marketing people recall they had a drive to grow membership immensely and used easy access to status levels via point’s earnings to get there globally so if they meddle with the formula too much that mass of lower tier customers may lose interest. Benefits may improve for the top tier as others drop out (maybe). If this is the new reality several Plat travellers have told me they will drift away and not bother making the effort to pursue PCR points/Plat status like they used to… Many people drove further or put up with poor facilities just for the points earning for status value at an IHG location which would not be worth the effort for them under the new rules it seems.
It’s hard for me to imagine leaving the PCR program but Hilton Gold seems like a decent alternative for those IHG stays if PCR loses its appeal…. Oh well, all things change eventually.
It’s hard for me to imagine leaving the PCR program but Hilton Gold seems like a decent alternative for those IHG stays if PCR loses its appeal…. Oh well, all things change eventually.
Dec 5, 2012, 11:47 pm
#97
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Moscow
Programs: DL GM and so on
Posts: 1,200
One more thing. While I generally hate the two-tier nature of some hotel programs (SPG, Hilton, Hyatt with their stays/nights requirements) which basically encourages short stays, IHG with their current program structure will be uncompetitive.
Dec 6, 2012, 12:15 am
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: All over
Programs: Most
Posts: 10,839
This will simply serve to increase the difference between the US and many other countries, where the 'bonus point' packages are less frequents, and in many cases for far fewer points. IN the UK there are some for 1,000 extra points, but this is usually as a significant premium.
I do not begrdge those who get it
but would like it extended to create equity if there is a tightening up in other areas.
I do not begrdge those who get it
but would like it extended to create equity if there is a tightening up in other areas.There is going to be lot of "crying" about this and how properties are processing these bonus points packages.
Bonus points that are include in the rate appear not to qualify i.e. opening bonus, but PCR packages are. Very difficult for most folks to distinguish between these two.
Dec 6, 2012, 12:24 am
#99
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,083
Have your read this thread? The credit card you mention is only available in the USA. But the Priority Club program has members worldwide (and indeed, much of the discussion in this thread is by members who don't qualify for the credit card because they don't live in the USA.)
+1 ^ Thanks for bringing up it again. It's really PITA when I see people saying something like, 'everyone can be Plat by just having a credit card'.
Dec 6, 2012, 12:47 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,041
And PC Plat/Gold means nothing at ICs while you get the same perks
as Hilton Gold/Diamond if you stay at Condrads...
Dec 6, 2012, 1:32 am
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,419
Dec 6, 2012, 4:13 am
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: CPH
Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,083
Dec 6, 2012, 5:30 am
#103
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Great move, long overdue!
Plat has been far too easy to earn in this program and rather than increasing the number of points required to qualify/requalify, this is a far more rational way of doing things. Ranks will definitely be thinned out over 2013 which means better benefit availabilities in subsequent years. It appears it will now take about 40-50 nights to get Plat, if Plat bonus is considered as EQPs. My reading of the definition makes it unclear as do others. As with Hyatt, credit card is an issue for non-Americans.
Dec 6, 2012, 6:13 am
#104
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: England
Programs: IHG
Posts: 526
Some of the moans and whines in this thread are not surprising because a large number of people have the potential to lose something.
IHG are effectively saying; Stay with us 50 nights per year and we'll reward you more than a member who stays 20 nights.
This cannot be wrong and those complaining are only concerned about their personal circumstances.
A number of people claim they'll switch to competitor hotel chains. To me this is hot air, but even if true IHG will be more than compensated by members who stay additional nights to hit the new target.
Well done IHG. A very smart move.
IHG are effectively saying; Stay with us 50 nights per year and we'll reward you more than a member who stays 20 nights.
This cannot be wrong and those complaining are only concerned about their personal circumstances.
A number of people claim they'll switch to competitor hotel chains. To me this is hot air, but even if true IHG will be more than compensated by members who stay additional nights to hit the new target.
Well done IHG. A very smart move.
Last edited by midnight; Dec 6, 2012 at 8:27 am Reason: Word missed out