Points earning in Euros?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Philly, Madrid
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 2,591
Points earning in Euros?
I've had multiple stays at a particular property in Spain over the past 6 months and just noticed that I have been earning 10 points per euro instead of per converted dollar. Has the policy changed, or am I being short-changed by this hotel?
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Capetown
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Plat, IHG and Hilton Diamond, LH SEN, BA Gold
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Spanish rates are inclusive of VAT
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,702
Taxes would explain it
Looking at a hotel in Madrid for example, rate includes 10% VAT
Exchange rate for EUR-USD according to xe.com is 1.226
EUR1.00 inc VAT = EUR0.91 exclusivg of tax
EUR0.91 = $1.12
so should be earning about 11 points per Euro
I suspect that the exchange rate used by IHG isnt quite as good as xe is listing so would be slightly lower
Looking at a hotel in Madrid for example, rate includes 10% VAT
Exchange rate for EUR-USD according to xe.com is 1.226
EUR1.00 inc VAT = EUR0.91 exclusivg of tax
EUR0.91 = $1.12
so should be earning about 11 points per Euro
I suspect that the exchange rate used by IHG isnt quite as good as xe is listing so would be slightly lower
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
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The IHG system has a habit of taking tax off the ex tax amount, I see this at most hotels I stay at, cannot be bothered chasing up such a fundamental error for the return involved.
#8
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#9
Formerly known as fsa_ea
Join Date: Dec 2004
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Partly wrong. The IHG website clearly shows the qualified amount with taxes incorrectly removed (should be 10% VAT I believe, but some other random amount is removed instead), converts from EUR to USD, and then only gives 10 points per EUR not USD. The whole thing is a mess.
Last edited by The Mileage Millionaire; Aug 29, 2018 at 8:24 am
#10
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Partly wrong. The IHG website clearly shows the qualified amount with taxes incorrectly removed (should be 10% VAT I believe, but some other random amount is removed instead), converts from EUR to USD, and then only gives 10 points per EUR not USD. The whole thing is a mess.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,107
Partly wrong. The IHG website clearly shows the qualified amount with taxes incorrectly removed (should be 10% VAT I believe, but some other random amount is removed instead), converts from EUR to USD, and then only gives 10 points per EUR not USD. The whole thing is a mess.
Took a 30 min phone call, but IHG got it straightened out and added adjusted credits. Considering it was about a 35k point difference, it was worth the time to chase in this instance.
#13
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Italy/Germany
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 151
I just checked reviewed how IHG stays in EUR countries posted, and every single stay posted incorrectly.
The online bill for example states that the total qualified spending was: EUR 215.34 (USD $249.32), but the basepoints are 2,154. I assume that what is listed as total qualified spending, is actually qualifying, without additionally having to deduct VAT. Even assuming the VAT discrepancy, it would still be incorrect, so i assume it simply takes the EUR value to incorrectly calculate basepoints.
The online bill for example states that the total qualified spending was: EUR 215.34 (USD $249.32), but the basepoints are 2,154. I assume that what is listed as total qualified spending, is actually qualifying, without additionally having to deduct VAT. Even assuming the VAT discrepancy, it would still be incorrect, so i assume it simply takes the EUR value to incorrectly calculate basepoints.
#14
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: EU
Programs: IHG Diamond / RA / IC | LH FTL + United Gold
Posts: 59
I just checked reviewed how IHG stays in EUR countries posted, and every single stay posted incorrectly.
The online bill for example states that the total qualified spending was: EUR 215.34 (USD $249.32), but the basepoints are 2,154. I assume that what is listed as total qualified spending, is actually qualifying, without additionally having to deduct VAT. Even assuming the VAT discrepancy, it would still be incorrect, so i assume it simply takes the EUR value to incorrectly calculate basepoints.
The online bill for example states that the total qualified spending was: EUR 215.34 (USD $249.32), but the basepoints are 2,154. I assume that what is listed as total qualified spending, is actually qualifying, without additionally having to deduct VAT. Even assuming the VAT discrepancy, it would still be incorrect, so i assume it simply takes the EUR value to incorrectly calculate basepoints.
#15
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Italy/Germany
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 151
Oh ok that would make sense, i didn't verify the actual physical bills, i just went off the online display