Dec 31, 2017, 6:49 am
Last edit by: FLYGVA
Wiki was copied from 2017 thread
Created WIKI Mar2017 purely to add the "new" IHG PB List URL as I can't find by screen navigation since IHG changed the reservation screens etc, and the old url if saved no longer works either.
Just got fed up trying to find , much easier to store in wiki, hope this helps others
Pointbeaks changed the amount of points needed: This is discussed in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-ihg-rewards-club-intercontinental-ambassador/1890423-point-breaks-now-5k-10-15k.html
This thread is about the discussion about the locations and the actual list, please use the thread above for discussions about the increased number of points needed for pointbreak redemptions.
SCUBACCR
Use this URL for "Live" PB Listing:
https://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/content/us/en/redeem-rewards/pointbreaks.html
The PREVIEW list usually appears on IHG's blog first
https://blog.ihg.com/ihg-rewards-club-pointbreaks-preview
Created WIKI Mar2017 purely to add the "new" IHG PB List URL as I can't find by screen navigation since IHG changed the reservation screens etc, and the old url if saved no longer works either.
Just got fed up trying to find , much easier to store in wiki, hope this helps others
Pointbeaks changed the amount of points needed: This is discussed in this thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/intercontinental-hotels-ihg-rewards-club-intercontinental-ambassador/1890423-point-breaks-now-5k-10-15k.html
This thread is about the discussion about the locations and the actual list, please use the thread above for discussions about the increased number of points needed for pointbreak redemptions.
SCUBACCR
Use this URL for "Live" PB Listing:
https://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/content/us/en/redeem-rewards/pointbreaks.html
The PREVIEW list usually appears on IHG's blog first
https://blog.ihg.com/ihg-rewards-club-pointbreaks-preview
2018 Pointbreaks Discussion Thread
Jan 26, 2018, 11:00 am
#106
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 123
It's a really poor preview in general - and this is incredibly worrying for the future, since the first increased rates PB will be better than future (to make up for the immediate annoyance at the devaluation of the programme)
Jan 26, 2018, 11:13 am
#107
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Amsterdam, Asia, UK
Programs: IHG RA (Spire), HH Diamond, MR Platinum, SQ Gold, KLM Gold, BAEC Gold
Posts: 5,072
The upside is that loyal IHGers with higher 'earned through stays' balances will be able to book the 10k/15k, whilst those non-loyal IHGers with eg just 60k CC signup and sero-5 nights can't book 2-weeks at the best hotels on PB amymore and can only grab 4nights/year.
The points v 'paid rate' value of many 10k, 15k PBs is going to be poor with eg 15k PB worth similar to the daily rate.
With 10k worth $70 and 15k worth $105 using old rule of thumb (ie P+C cancel), I am sure many 10k/15k will be hotels in shoulder season with current rates of say usd100-120 needing 15k on PB, so poor choice to use points v cash. Just possible if points rich such hotel may be worth using 15k on PB if normally set at 30k I guess though.
The points v 'paid rate' value of many 10k, 15k PBs is going to be poor with eg 15k PB worth similar to the daily rate.
With 10k worth $70 and 15k worth $105 using old rule of thumb (ie P+C cancel), I am sure many 10k/15k will be hotels in shoulder season with current rates of say usd100-120 needing 15k on PB, so poor choice to use points v cash. Just possible if points rich such hotel may be worth using 15k on PB if normally set at 30k I guess though.
Jan 26, 2018, 11:22 am
#109
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Austin, Texas
Programs: Airline nobody. Sad!
Posts: 26,062
Similar for the Staybridge Suites in Fargo. North Dakota in February or March? Yuck.
Jan 26, 2018, 11:23 am
#110
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
Jan 26, 2018, 11:25 am
#111
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
I think with the new levels, there is a learning curve for both IHG and IHG members. No doubt the next or the next after would be better (maybe to IHG or to IHG members, who knows)?
Jan 26, 2018, 11:28 am
#112
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NYC (often in Thailand, Israel and Sweden)
Programs: Turkish Elite, AA Platinum, Royal Orchid Plus Silver
Posts: 382
Jan 26, 2018, 12:54 pm
#114
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
The upside is that loyal IHGers with higher 'earned through stays' balances will be able to book the 10k/15k, whilst those non-loyal IHGers with eg just 60k CC signup and sero-5 nights can't book 2-weeks at the best hotels on PB amymore and can only grab 4nights/year.
The points v 'paid rate' value of many 10k, 15k PBs is going to be poor with eg 15k PB worth similar to the daily rate.
With 10k worth $70 and 15k worth $105 using old rule of thumb (ie P+C cancel), I am sure many 10k/15k will be hotels in shoulder season with current rates of say usd100-120 needing 15k on PB, so poor choice to use points v cash. Just possible if points rich such hotel may be worth using 15k on PB if normally set at 30k I guess though.
The points v 'paid rate' value of many 10k, 15k PBs is going to be poor with eg 15k PB worth similar to the daily rate.
With 10k worth $70 and 15k worth $105 using old rule of thumb (ie P+C cancel), I am sure many 10k/15k will be hotels in shoulder season with current rates of say usd100-120 needing 15k on PB, so poor choice to use points v cash. Just possible if points rich such hotel may be worth using 15k on PB if normally set at 30k I guess though.
1. When IHG runs one of its periodic 100% bonus sales on points, you can buy points in bulk at a rate equal to about $29 USD/5,000 points. A similar deal is often available in April through the USTA's Daily Getaways promotion.
2. Holders of a qualifying IHG credit card get a 10% rebate on point redemptions.
3. Most point redemptions -- at least in the U.S. -- do not get any taxes added on, since the stay is "free." (There may be an exception for per-night "occupancy" taxes in some locations.)
4. Cash stays earn points; redemption stays do not -- except for 500-600 "welcome amenity" points, if one opts for them.
Jan 26, 2018, 1:07 pm
#115
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Jan 26, 2018, 1:10 pm
#116
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
A few other factors to consider in the points vs. cash calculus:
1. When IHG runs one of its periodic 100% bonus sales on points, you can buy points in bulk at a rate equal to about $29 USD/5,000 points. A similar deal is often available in April through the USTA's Daily Getaways promotion.
2. Holders of a qualifying IHG credit card get a 10% rebate on point redemptions.
3. Most point redemptions -- at least in the U.S. -- do not get any taxes added on, since the stay is "free." (There may be an exception for per-night "occupancy" taxes in some locations.)
4. Cash stays earn points; redemption stays do not -- except for 500-600 "welcome amenity" points, if one opts for them.
1. When IHG runs one of its periodic 100% bonus sales on points, you can buy points in bulk at a rate equal to about $29 USD/5,000 points. A similar deal is often available in April through the USTA's Daily Getaways promotion.
2. Holders of a qualifying IHG credit card get a 10% rebate on point redemptions.
3. Most point redemptions -- at least in the U.S. -- do not get any taxes added on, since the stay is "free." (There may be an exception for per-night "occupancy" taxes in some locations.)
4. Cash stays earn points; redemption stays do not -- except for 500-600 "welcome amenity" points, if one opts for them.
I am really OK with the new 10K tier!
Jan 26, 2018, 1:42 pm
#117
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Programs: AA, BAEC, Alaska, Flying Blue, United, IHG, Hilton
Posts: 2,950
I am reserving judgment on this until I see the actual list (and reserving final judgment until I have seen the first 3 or 4 lists).
~100 properties have become 200+ properties, but 5k points has become 5-15k.
If ~100 of the properties on the new lists are available at 5k, then I will say this is not a devaluation. If there are 30 at 5k, 70 at 10k and 100 at 15k, then it obviously is.
More ICs & CPs, but at 3 times the former PB rate? Meh. Give me 3 nights at a decent HIX over one night at an IC or CP every time.
~100 properties have become 200+ properties, but 5k points has become 5-15k.
If ~100 of the properties on the new lists are available at 5k, then I will say this is not a devaluation. If there are 30 at 5k, 70 at 10k and 100 at 15k, then it obviously is.
More ICs & CPs, but at 3 times the former PB rate? Meh. Give me 3 nights at a decent HIX over one night at an IC or CP every time.
Jan 26, 2018, 2:10 pm
#118
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
Programs: FB Platinum, M&M FTL, BA Blue
Posts: 11,622
It's not great, that preview list as it stands. Although there are a few more IC and Indigo properties than ever before. At first glance, I could possibly use the Rome one. But at about EUR70 a night, it's almost better to just pay for it and keep collecting Accelerate nights.
Last edited by Concerto; Jan 26, 2018 at 2:26 pm Reason: more info
Jan 26, 2018, 3:48 pm
#119
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 129
Anyways, back to discussing IHG pointbreaks.....
One thing that worries me about the full list coming out on Monday is that people will just speculatively book rooms and the inventory will dry out quickly before we get a chance to make any plans.
One thing that worries me about the full list coming out on Monday is that people will just speculatively book rooms and the inventory will dry out quickly before we get a chance to make any plans.
Jan 26, 2018, 5:22 pm
#120
Join Date: Nov 2013
Programs: NZ
Posts: 1,554
I've done an analysis of the IC and CP hotels that have been pre-advised by IHG as being in the next PB promotion. For each one there are four figures:
1. PB cost, 5K, 10K or 15K
2. Normal points required for an award
3. Cheapest cash stay for a random date (I chose 11/12 April). Obviously rates can vary over the period of the promotion but I hope this gives an indication
4. Cash value of PB cost based on MY valuation of IHG Rewards Points which is $5/1000. Actually I have been accumulating points at under $5/1000 but $5 seems like a nice round figure.
All $ costings are in US Dollars.
IC Cali 10K / 25K / $137 / $50
IC Sao Paolo 15K / 35K / $229 / $75
IC Kiev 15K / 30K / $343 / $75
CP Tianjin 5K / 20K / $82 / $25
CP Antalya 5K / 20K / $21 / $25
CP Vientiane 10K / 25K / $87 / $50
CP Belgrade 10K / 20K / $138 / $50
CP Hiroshima 15K / 30K / $125 / $75
CP Abu Dhabi 15K / 30K / $124 / $75
CP Arlington TX 15K / 30K / $163 / $75
As you can see all PB offers are at least 50% off the normal points rate, but the $ comparisons tell a different story with all the IC's offering great value, with the CP hotels being more mixed.
Looking forward to the full list and fingers crossed for a hotel in Singapore!
1. PB cost, 5K, 10K or 15K
2. Normal points required for an award
3. Cheapest cash stay for a random date (I chose 11/12 April). Obviously rates can vary over the period of the promotion but I hope this gives an indication
4. Cash value of PB cost based on MY valuation of IHG Rewards Points which is $5/1000. Actually I have been accumulating points at under $5/1000 but $5 seems like a nice round figure.
All $ costings are in US Dollars.
IC Cali 10K / 25K / $137 / $50
IC Sao Paolo 15K / 35K / $229 / $75
IC Kiev 15K / 30K / $343 / $75
CP Tianjin 5K / 20K / $82 / $25
CP Antalya 5K / 20K / $21 / $25
CP Vientiane 10K / 25K / $87 / $50
CP Belgrade 10K / 20K / $138 / $50
CP Hiroshima 15K / 30K / $125 / $75
CP Abu Dhabi 15K / 30K / $124 / $75
CP Arlington TX 15K / 30K / $163 / $75
As you can see all PB offers are at least 50% off the normal points rate, but the $ comparisons tell a different story with all the IC's offering great value, with the CP hotels being more mixed.
Looking forward to the full list and fingers crossed for a hotel in Singapore!