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
Nov 10, 2015, 11:32 pm
#76
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
Does anybody know how strict they can be with things like this? One of the blog comments lists this link to sweepstakes "tips" and it says they can disqualify based on petty stuff like a 3x5 "piece of paper" is different than a 3x5 index card. Also, if I only have one phone#, do I need to list it separately as a day and evening phone # since they ask for both?
I guess I'm curious if anyone has done something like this before who may have had experience with how picky they can be. Here is the sweepstakes "tips" link:
http://sweetiessweeps.com/2009/04/ma...es-basics.html
I guess I'm curious if anyone has done something like this before who may have had experience with how picky they can be. Here is the sweepstakes "tips" link:
http://sweetiessweeps.com/2009/04/ma...es-basics.html
I printed out labels for the envelope but hand wrote the info on the cards.
Who knows, maybe they'll throw all mine in the garbage, but I followed the rules exactly so I don't think they could justify not accepting my entries.
Nov 11, 2015, 10:47 am
#77
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: ORD (formerly SAN)
Programs: Hilton Diamond; IHG Platinum; Bonvoy Gold; AA Platinum Pro and United Premier Silver (DH = AA EXP)
Posts: 1,929
I used index cards. A 3x5 index card is a piece of paper; just a heavier bond.
I printed out labels for the envelope but hand wrote the info on the cards.
Who knows, maybe they'll throw all mine in the garbage, but I followed the rules exactly so I don't think they could justify not accepting my entries.
I printed out labels for the envelope but hand wrote the info on the cards.
Who knows, maybe they'll throw all mine in the garbage, but I followed the rules exactly so I don't think they could justify not accepting my entries.
Did you already mail them out? I would mail out a test piece to see if it was accepted. But in the sweepstakes forums, they say that paper is not a card and those will get disqualified.
Nov 11, 2015, 11:09 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Metro DC
Programs: UA Plat, SPG Gold, HH Gold, Priority Club Platinum, Hertz #1 Gold Club
Posts: 291
+1 I did the same thing, except on printer paper cut into said sizes instead of index cards.
I used index cards. A 3x5 index card is a piece of paper; just a heavier bond.
I printed out labels for the envelope but hand wrote the info on the cards.
Who knows, maybe they'll throw all mine in the garbage, but I followed the rules exactly so I don't think they could justify not accepting my entries.
I printed out labels for the envelope but hand wrote the info on the cards.
Who knows, maybe they'll throw all mine in the garbage, but I followed the rules exactly so I don't think they could justify not accepting my entries.
Last edited by gohan403; Nov 11, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Nov 11, 2015, 12:38 pm
#79
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
To our benefit, this sweepstakes is different than most.
With a typical one, only winners are notified, and there's no way to tell the difference between a valid non-winning entry and an invalid one that just gets tossed in the trash. Here, every valid entry should receive an email. So we ought to know pretty quickly the answers to the unknowns, like whether the envelope must be hand-written, or whether an index card is valid paper. (Unless IHG drags their feet and doesn't send any emails for mail entries until February...)
With a typical one, only winners are notified, and there's no way to tell the difference between a valid non-winning entry and an invalid one that just gets tossed in the trash. Here, every valid entry should receive an email. So we ought to know pretty quickly the answers to the unknowns, like whether the envelope must be hand-written, or whether an index card is valid paper. (Unless IHG drags their feet and doesn't send any emails for mail entries until February...)
Nov 11, 2015, 2:22 pm
#80
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SEA
Posts: 2,021
To our benefit, this sweepstakes is different than most.
With a typical one, only winners are notified, and there's no way to tell the difference between a valid non-winning entry and an invalid one that just gets tossed in the trash. Here, every valid entry should receive an email. So we ought to know pretty quickly the answers to the unknowns, like whether the envelope must be hand-written, or whether an index card is valid paper. (Unless IHG drags their feet and doesn't send any emails for mail entries until February...)
With a typical one, only winners are notified, and there's no way to tell the difference between a valid non-winning entry and an invalid one that just gets tossed in the trash. Here, every valid entry should receive an email. So we ought to know pretty quickly the answers to the unknowns, like whether the envelope must be hand-written, or whether an index card is valid paper. (Unless IHG drags their feet and doesn't send any emails for mail entries until February...)
I've already done the work; I guess now I'll pray that they accept them. If not -- I've learned a lesson
Nov 11, 2015, 8:24 pm
#81
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
How long did it take you to complete all of this?
Nov 12, 2015, 11:14 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: AA Plat Pto, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,538
I got mine completed in about 6 hours of passive writing. Passive meaning I was on a plane, train, or conference call. First 5 went out Tuesday, with the holiday I am expecting Saturday delivery and processing Monday once the promotion begins. I hand wrote everything and used index cards.
Nov 12, 2015, 2:47 pm
#83
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 3,072
Thanks. I'm still debating whether I'll do this.
Nov 12, 2015, 3:44 pm
#84
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: I hate my location and hope to flee from it soon.
Programs: Hyatt PL, PC Spire/RA, HH GOLD, SPG Green, Marriott Silver, Skywards B, CSA Gold, Lufthansa Paper,UA
Posts: 1,211
Nov 13, 2015, 6:21 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 244
Did anyone use one of the hand writing services? I worked for an hour watching TV last night and got 15 done along with a sore hand! I contacted the first one on the list but haven't heard anything yet. It looks like $20 is the going rate for addressing 100 envelopes and papers, and they supply the stuff...I figure that isn't too bad for the return.
Nov 13, 2015, 9:41 am
#86
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: UAL Premier Gold, HHonors Gold, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 135
Jeepers creepers, I've become a sweeper.... there's a first time for everything, as they say.
Looked into the handwriting services, but to be honest, I think it'd be more hassle to find one, agree on terms, ship the stuff out, get it back, etc. than to just write them out when sitting on the plane or watching TV or taking a break from some other task. Besides, this way I'll finally memorize my IHG number
Looks like 3x5 paper truly means paper, not index card. Don't give them any reason to disqualify you. I'm also going to handwrite the addresses, just in case.
The only thing that gives me a little pause is whether an IHG MC is required. T&Cs seem to say any MC is fine, and if MC is one of the co-runners of the promotion then they shouldn't really care which MC is used, but the experience of the caller (being told it had to be an IHG MC) makes me a little worried.
Looked into the handwriting services, but to be honest, I think it'd be more hassle to find one, agree on terms, ship the stuff out, get it back, etc. than to just write them out when sitting on the plane or watching TV or taking a break from some other task. Besides, this way I'll finally memorize my IHG number
Looks like 3x5 paper truly means paper, not index card. Don't give them any reason to disqualify you. I'm also going to handwrite the addresses, just in case.
The only thing that gives me a little pause is whether an IHG MC is required. T&Cs seem to say any MC is fine, and if MC is one of the co-runners of the promotion then they shouldn't really care which MC is used, but the experience of the caller (being told it had to be an IHG MC) makes me a little worried.
Nov 13, 2015, 9:43 am
#87
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: BOS
Programs: UAL Premier Gold, HHonors Gold, B6 Mosaic
Posts: 135
Also, kind of nervous that IHG will try to weasel out of their obligations, but willing to give it a try and am hoping for a positive experience. I'm looking for a new hotel loyalty program for leisure travel (abandoning Club Carlson after the US Bank BOGO devaluation) and am thinking about shifting business to IHG.
Nov 13, 2015, 10:30 am
#88
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: ORD, MDW
Posts: 207
I mailed out my "test run" this morning, which is 2 entries each for my wife and I. I used lined index cards and hand-wrote the info, and used printed mailing labels on the envelopes. Fingers crossed for a successful test as I have a stack of index cards ready to be filled out!
Nov 13, 2015, 1:22 pm
#89
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
If it only has to be the first 6 digits of an IHG MasterCard is someone willing to post the first 6 of their card here? The first 6 would be the same on every IHG MasterCard so don't identify anything.
Nov 13, 2015, 3:21 pm
#90
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,082
I mailed out my "test run" this morning, which is 2 entries each for my wife and I. I used lined index cards and hand-wrote the info, and used printed mailing labels on the envelopes. Fingers crossed for a successful test as I have a stack of index cards ready to be filled out!
Last edited by philemer; Nov 13, 2015 at 8:26 pm