Nov 2, 2015, 8:31 am
Last edit by: Suite Disposition
ALL THE URLS AND LINKS IN YOUR EMAILS ARE THE SAME. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO "REPLAY" A GIVEN EMAIL.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Plays are linked to your IHG account number and your IHG link you receive in the email. The links contained are unique to each IHG account number and cannot be "shared".
If you didn't receive all your plays and think that HW might have gotten your email address incorrect, then simply click the link again in your email.
Their email is [email protected].
Quantity of emails received does not always equal quantity of plays available. Emails received does imply that you have plays available.
If you click on your email links and receive a screen with the below message then you do not have plays available.
We love your enthusiasm!
However, you do not have any instant win chances to use.
Complete a qualified stay before February 15 to earn another chance to win.
Prizes:
Chances of winning:
500 pts 1:1.18 or 84.75% (This does not mean you will be guaranteed 500 pts per play)
1000 Pts 1:14.29 or 6.7%
2000 Pts 1:28.57 or 3.5%
5000 Pts 1:42.86 or 2.33%
Other prizes or no prizes: depends on number of entries
5B Prizes= 1,000, 2000, 5,000, $50 GC & Free night
BE SURE TO REGISTER BEFORE SENDING IN ENTRIES!
Leave Surprises here:
500 points (x1098)
1000 points (x42)
2000 points (x26)
5000 points (x17)
$50 Prepaid MasterCard (x13)
1 free night at any IHG hotel (x6)
$2500 Gilt.com GC (x1)
Sony Package (x1)
No Win (x7)
Official Rules
Logistics of the Mail-In Option:
Index Cards Okay? YES (I used 3x5 blank index cards and they were accepted)
Lined Index Cards Okay? Yes, of course, enough with the index cards!
OK to mail cards not inside an envelope? Not according to the rules, which state they must be inside envelopes, one card per envelope
Need to write title before each line? NO
Need second phone number? NO
Middle name required? NO (Left mine out, still got emails. If it's part of your account info, maybe leave it.)
Printed Destination Address Okay? YES (I used printed a bunch of sticker labels and put them on envelopes, accepted)
Printed Return Address Okay? YES (I used an ink stamp)
No Return Address Okay? Yes
Envelope size? Doesn't seem to matter
Non-IHG MasterCard Okay? YES
Debit MasterCard Okay? YES (I used an Ally Bank issued Debit MasterCard)
Use somebody else's MasterCard first 6 digits? YES
There have been reports of mail-in entry emails being sent out on 12/4 and 12/11, and the emails came in rapid succession. This is indicative of HelloWorld batching these out.
Initially batches of emails sent out was on Fridays but as of of 1/6/16 appears to be Wednesdays
#1 Batch=12/4
#2 Batch= 12/11
#3 Batch= 12/18
#4 Batch(xmas)= 12/23
#5 Batch(New Years Day)=12/30
#6 Batch= 1/6
#7 Batch= 1/13
#8 Batch= 1/18-1/24 (emails appear to be arriving daily)
#9 Batch= 2/3-2/5
As of 1/5, points have been posting within a week(ish) of playing and getting confirmation that you've won points.
Points will be paid out without additional email
Some points have been distributed (probably in batches on either Monday or Tuesday)
Points Payout Batches:
#1 12/28 & 12/29--500 pts, 1000pts, 2,000 & 5,000pts (plays before 12/25)
#2 1/4 & 1/5 (plays 12/25-12/30?)
#3 1/11(free nights & pts) & 1/12 (plays from 12/31-1/8)
#4 1/15 (limited due to MLK holiday on 1/18) (for plays from until 1/14)
#5 1/19 (plays from 1/15 til?)
#6 1/29 (plays until 1/24)
#7 2/3 (plays until 1/29)
#8 2/5 (plays until 1/31?)
Has anyone received email with instructions on how to redeem prize? YES ($50 MC redemption instructions received 12/28)
STATUS:
--As of 1/19/16 10:00 am et(estimated) all plays were showing up as no wins. . The play site seems to be undergoing maintenance. Best not to use up the majority of your plays until things smooth out.
--As of 2:45 pm ET on 1/19 play site appears to be back up.
--as of 4:17pm ET on 1/19 500 point plays seems to be working again. No 5B prizes seem to be won at this time
--As of 6pm ET on 1/19 emails being received for wins during the morning hours of 1/19 where it stated no win after select elevator.
--As of 2:30pm EST on 1/20 still reports of nearly 100% 500 pt wins only. Best not to play alot of plays unless you only want 500 pt wins
--As of 8:00 pm EST on 1/20 multiple reports of 5B prizes being won again. Seems to be back to normal.
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/21 reports of $50, 2k, 5k, 1k pt wins (unsure of free night wins)
--As of 6:00 pm est on 1/22 everything seems to be working as usual(although very few mentions of free night)
--As of 2:00 pm EST on 1/25 seems like daily emails have been sent out since 1/18 until now.
--As of 6pm EST on 1/29 reports of emails being received from mailed in entries from around mid January. So turnaround for new mailings appear to be about 1 week.
--As of 5pm EST on 2/2 appears that emails have stopped arriving daily with many reporting last email received on 1/29.
Priceless Surprises Promotion
Dec 20, 2015, 6:06 pm
#616
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EX Plat. Hyatt Glob
Posts: 106
I just won my 2nd free night. I didn't even think that was possible.
Dec 20, 2015, 6:13 pm
#618
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 940
Nice congrats! I would have love to win one free night if possible but I still have more entries to go. 
Still, it's awesome that you won two (and that it's possible)!
Still, it's awesome that you won two (and that it's possible)!
Dec 20, 2015, 6:16 pm
#619
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,536
Free night is the best of the Group B prizes so you could win up to 5 of them if you can avoid the Mastercard and higher level point prizes.
Play #7 just won my second $50 MC. I am now regretting the 2000 point win that occupied one of my 5 B prizes.
Play #7 just won my second $50 MC. I am now regretting the 2000 point win that occupied one of my 5 B prizes.
Last edited by Exiled in Express; Dec 20, 2015 at 6:27 pm Reason: prize
Dec 21, 2015, 12:38 am
#620
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
Asked this a time or two but don't think anyone has chimed in: For the people who have submitted the full 94 entries, are you planning on not staying at IHG until after Feb. 15, staying at IHG but without your IHG number attached to the reservation, or are you assuming that staying at IHG even with your IHG Rewards number won't generate any additional entries past the 94-entry limit?
Dec 21, 2015, 1:56 am
#621
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: HA, DL, UA, PC Gold, A/club Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Pl
Posts: 1,461
so for those of you who did the 5 group B prizes....if you happen to win a group b type prize u just dont get anything right? so maybe it will be better to focus in on doing the 500 pts only..
Dec 21, 2015, 5:25 am
#622
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Asked this a time or two but don't think anyone has chimed in: For the people who have submitted the full 94 entries, are you planning on not staying at IHG until after Feb. 15, staying at IHG but without your IHG number attached to the reservation, or are you assuming that staying at IHG even with your IHG Rewards number won't generate any additional entries past the 94-entry limit?
Dec 21, 2015, 6:14 am
#623
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Has anyone sent in entries on November 17th and not received any emails yet? I sent in 5 test entries and have the rest sitting here ready to send. It seems like everyone is getting emails, even people who have sent in entries in late November/early December. Should I forget about those 5 entries?
Dec 21, 2015, 6:18 am
#624
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
Same here. Just passed the month mark since I sent my first few and haven't heard anything. So no sympathy for those who complain they've "only" received a few replies. 
Guess I'll just have to assume my entries are all still there, at the bottom of their large pile of a "To Do" list. As usual.
Guess I'll just have to assume my entries are all still there, at the bottom of their large pile of a "To Do" list. As usual.
Dec 21, 2015, 8:38 am
#625
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: BOS .. but soon SFO
Programs: UA PLAT, TK GLD, Hilton Diamond, IC PLAT, SPG GLD, Marriott GLD
Posts: 1,528
What's so special about the 17th of nov? Is this some cutoff date or is it the same 2-3 people who keep asking about that date ?
I sent dec 7 and the rest on dec 9
I sent dec 7 and the rest on dec 9
Dec 21, 2015, 8:51 am
#626
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA Explorer card, AA Plat, Copa Plat, IHG Plat,
Posts: 567
I have a stay from Dec. 11 that has posted to my acct but Nothing from Priceless Surprises. One stay from Dec. 10 posted and Pleasant surprises posted on 16. So wonder what gives with the stay from 11
Dec 21, 2015, 9:52 am
#627
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 483
It isn't a cutoff date, but people have already received emails on entries they sent in in late November. Essentially, I'm just wondering if I should bother sending the rest of my cards out since I haven't heard anything back yet.
Dec 21, 2015, 10:23 am
#628
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: SAT, AUS (Formerly DFW, DAL)
Programs: AA, SWA, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 8
Just sent out 188 entries, 94 for me, and 94 for my wife. We'll see what happens.
Dec 21, 2015, 10:32 am
#629
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Oregon, USA
Programs: Hilton Honors
Posts: 162
Not exactly sure, but I definitely sent my first 15 either the 17th or 18th. And still not a word. I sent another 15 a couple weeks ago too. (Nothing there either.) Hard to imagine not getting any reply when others are getting them since I'm more than sure I satisfied all the requirements for the entries, so why would they void mine? But even so, I'm not going to be making and sending any more entries until I at least get my first reply on the others. Very annoying.
Dec 21, 2015, 10:43 am
#630
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: WN A+ CP, UA 1MM/*A Gold, Mar LT Tit, IHG Plat, HH Dia
Posts: 6,284
I prepared my first 30 entries this past weekend and will put them in the mail today. DW will do a batch of 30 this week. We'll do the rest after the holidays. Unsure if we'll keep batching them up in 30s and doing several drops or post the rest all at once.
A few notes in case anyone's interested:
A few notes in case anyone's interested:
- I hand-wrote the information on 3x5 cards. The official contest rules, linked at the promotion site, spell out exactly what to do (including that it must be hand written). They're like an instruction manual.
- I used #6 3/4 envelopes with computer-printed address labels. The contest rules say nothing about envelopes being hand written; just that they must include proper postage (duh).
- I tried printing the addresses directly onto the envelopes, but my ink jet printer handled the envelopes very poorly. Five test prints were all failures. A bit of online searching/reading indicates that few ink jet printers handle envelopes well. Laser printers are fine; if you've got an ink jet be prepared to buy sheets of labels and use them instead.