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
Feb 24, 2016, 9:36 pm
#3046
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,037
Isn't it crazy that like 70%-80% of the mail to this one address goes missing?
Can you imagine if any other address in the US had such a loss rate?
Can you imagine if any other address in the US had such a loss rate?
Feb 24, 2016, 9:41 pm
#3047
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,098
I knew I should have gone with the bright pink envelopes so mine would get processed first. Hindsight is 20/20
Feb 24, 2016, 9:45 pm
#3048
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,098
20k + $20? Wow, that is a deal. None that I have ever seen. The 20k is usually combined with $90-100.
I do agree in regards to leveraging point value. For my desired room type in the IHG property that I frequent, the room rate is sometimes over $300. I have even seen as high as $389. When rates are this high I combine points with cash and reserve multiple nights.
I do agree in regards to leveraging point value. For my desired room type in the IHG property that I frequent, the room rate is sometimes over $300. I have even seen as high as $389. When rates are this high I combine points with cash and reserve multiple nights.
Feb 24, 2016, 10:34 pm
#3049
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
I "won" my first points through the contest on December 4th. I still have not had any points show up in my account. I've contacted IHG by twitter and phone multiple times -- they tell me to contact HW. I've called and emailed HW multiple times, only ever received the generic "Give us 1-3 days to get back to you". Never actually had it resolved. What a cluster.
Feb 24, 2016, 10:42 pm
#3050
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: SIN
Posts: 1,098
I "won" my first points through the contest on December 4th. I still have not had any points show up in my account. I've contacted IHG by twitter and phone multiple times -- they tell me to contact HW. I've called and emailed HW multiple times, only ever received the generic "Give us 1-3 days to get back to you". Never actually had it resolved. What a cluster.
Feb 24, 2016, 11:01 pm
#3052
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 5
I sent out all 94 of my entries on the morning of 2/13. I received 93 emails on 2/22. 55,000 points won.
88*500
2*1000
2*2000
1*5000
88*500
2*1000
2*2000
1*5000
Last edited by salmaraz2011; Feb 24, 2016 at 11:06 pm
Feb 25, 2016, 5:48 am
#3053
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: FL, USA
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriot Gold
Posts: 1,666
maybe the deadline passed and they said the heck with it!
Feb 25, 2016, 6:33 am
#3054
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: BDL/NYC/BOS
Programs: UA/*A Gold, Global Entry, Marriott Plat, Hilton+IHG Gold, Hertz PC, DL
Posts: 1,752
i'm an idiot, and missed a digit in my IHG number. i proceeded to repeat that incorrect number on all 94 cards.
nevertheless, my points posted. i'm assuming that this means helloworld only inputs an email address on their end.
nevertheless, my points posted. i'm assuming that this means helloworld only inputs an email address on their end.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:04 am
#3055
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Miami
Posts: 138
Just another data point. I sent in 72 entries on 2/12 and 18 entries on 2/13 (and some before that). SO also sent in 94 entries on 2/13.
I am still missing 63 entries (I last received a play on 2/22) and SO is missing all 94.
I have e-mailed Hello World through the web form and the e-mail address in the Wiki with no response.
EDIT: I have received all points award from the 31 plays I have played.
I am still missing 63 entries (I last received a play on 2/22) and SO is missing all 94.
I have e-mailed Hello World through the web form and the e-mail address in the Wiki with no response.
EDIT: I have received all points award from the 31 plays I have played.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:05 am
#3056
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 42
Finaly got my plays
I had been missing 46 plays since Jan 19th when the first batch of plays were emailed to me. I waited patiently but last week I figured I would send a email inquiry.
I got the standard response, you have no remaining plays yadda yadda yadda....
I replied and without getting nasty I more or less said this is unacceptable and that I mailed out all my plays together on the same date, photographed them ( I didn't ) and have verification from the USPS ( I don't ) and that I should be credited my missing plays because he only way they could be missing is if HW mishandled them somehow. I also said if my 46 missing plays are not credited to me I will have to escalate it.
2 days later I received 46 plays. Coincidence? Maybe but hey its worth a shot if you are missing plays still.
I got the standard response, you have no remaining plays yadda yadda yadda....
I replied and without getting nasty I more or less said this is unacceptable and that I mailed out all my plays together on the same date, photographed them ( I didn't ) and have verification from the USPS ( I don't ) and that I should be credited my missing plays because he only way they could be missing is if HW mishandled them somehow. I also said if my 46 missing plays are not credited to me I will have to escalate it.
2 days later I received 46 plays. Coincidence? Maybe but hey its worth a shot if you are missing plays still.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:07 am
#3057
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: dca
Programs: Delta Plat, United Silver, Marriott LT Titanium, HHonors Silver, Hertz PC
Posts: 337
Count me among those missing entries.
Mailed 94 envelopes Jan 27th. Received 55 emails/game entries on Feb 5 and 3 more on Feb 9. The points for these 58 entries posted Feb 10th but nothing on my missing 38 entries! I've just sent a email to HW but from other reports here they will probably just claim they went missing in the mail.
Mailed 94 envelopes Jan 27th. Received 55 emails/game entries on Feb 5 and 3 more on Feb 9. The points for these 58 entries posted Feb 10th but nothing on my missing 38 entries! I've just sent a email to HW but from other reports here they will probably just claim they went missing in the mail.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:12 am
#3058
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 102
Anyone else had their IHG account shutdown because of this? [see attachment] It was fine yesterday when I checked, but after the first email this morning I'm locked out.
Oddly, I keep getting the "You qualified for a Priceless Surprise!" emails.
Oddly, I keep getting the "You qualified for a Priceless Surprise!" emails.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:29 am
#3059
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 75
Did you contact them for assistance? Plenty of people get locked out of their accounts & usually it's some computer issue.
Feb 25, 2016, 7:36 am
#3060
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: Delta 1MM/SM, IHG Spire, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Gold, Choice Hotels Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 67
I got nothing on one of mine
I had 2 stays in January and did the mail in for the remaining 92. I mailed about half on 12 Feb and the rest on 13 Feb. I received 5 of the links on 21/22 Feb and the rest today. As I understand it, they give you 1000 for the first (with no need to select a floor). For the remaining 91, I got:
500 pts - 85
1000 pts - 3
2000 pts - 2
"Maybe next time" - 1
That's right, I got nothing on one. I haven't read thru all 200+ pages, but has this happened to anyone else?
500 pts - 85
1000 pts - 3
2000 pts - 2
"Maybe next time" - 1
That's right, I got nothing on one. I haven't read thru all 200+ pages, but has this happened to anyone else?