I was able to get packages right when it hit the time to do it. My partner was able to do it after 5 minutes since some of the packages went back into inventory if they weren't bought yet. It wasn't too difficult...

Feel free to browse their IRS filings... form 990 schedule M 'Noncash Contributions' line 25 other (industry related items): 1.282 million $ in 2022, 2 million in 2018 & 19.

https://projects.propublica.org/nonp...349309825/full

Not small change for a nonprofit that spends about 30 million a year.

Makes no sense to me. So IHG is donating $499,875 this year, HH $400,000, Marriott $216,000, Choice $1,077,453, and Hyatt $18,648? I think that's the bulk, and I'm too lazy to do the math for the various garbage offers. What do they get out of this, and why does Choice donate 50 times as much as Hyatt?

Eh?

I bought 80,000 Hyatt points in 2021 and again in 2022. Unsuccessful getting Hyatt points in 2023 but I got the Venetian grand one-bedroom suite package which I got good value out of (nothing crazy, probably a $650 savings, but it's money I would have spent anyhow).

This year I finally got the Cosmo package which I think is a steal: 3 nights in a wraparound suite with a fountain view, airport transfers, $500 F&B, and $520 spa credit (two 80-min custom massages) for $1700 all-in with minimal blackout dates.

All four years I have done the same thing: set up two browsers on my computer and one desktop-version browser on my phone. I start trying at exactly 1pm but invariably the inventory is on hold for other customers. Then I keep hitting the X and hitting the "buy now" button in a cycle of repeats until one of them hits. For the Hyatt points, it was right at the 5-minute mark both years (if whoever -- or whatever bot -- clicked buy now at 1:00:00.000 doesn't fill in the form to continue the purchase within 5 minutes, it goes back to inventory). This year, the browser window in my phone worked about 75 seconds in.

Has anyone's IHG points deposited yet?

That's a no for me. I know the terms say up to 10 days, but I think I read last year the deposits were the next morning, so I was expecting them already. Good to know I am not the only one still waiting.

Are the Seaworld deals good? Do you get cheaper or comparable value elsewhere? Thinking of buying some as I have upcoming plans to go to seaworld and these prices are cheaper than what I see online on their website.

look on groupon, just went park and waterpark like $93, so yeah a good deal, but purchase through AA and got 2,700 miles thought

IHG points just posted

Mine as well, thanks for the heads up!

Had to get up at 1:55am but managed to click at just the right time and got a Marriott $250 cert. My only mistake was not opting for 2 for that purchase. Oh well
I should have given up but kept clicking until 2:20am and then everything was showing sold out.
I find the Marriott certs work fine (in Japan and Thailand) if you give them to the staff at check-in. That way they have plenty of time to figure out how to apply them.

I had purchased IHG points during this promotion but didn't get all that i wanted so was eagerly awaiting for IHG's next bonus points promotion, per Lucky at OMAAT (https://onemileatatime.com/deals/buy...ewards-points/) there is a 80% purchase bonus running til June however when i log in i don't see any eligible bonus points for me. Wonder if exclude members who purchased during they Daily Getaway promotion? Anyone else experienced this in the past?

I purchased points from Daily Getaway (50k) and I just checked and I'm seeing the 80% points offer.

I didn't go through Lucky's link but:
- Went to IHG website
- Logged in
- Went to Offers/but points
- Got re-directed to points.com, so had to enter my name, IHG # and password, etc.
- It showed 'Get and 80% bonus' on up to 250k points.

I went as far the last step before confirming.

I don't need any points at the moment and will wait until the next 100% bonus - which based on history will be within 2-3 months.

I decided to pass on the Choice points this year. If I go to Japan, I probably won't want to stay in an American chain hotel, even at a slightly better price. In the US, the points appear to give you the equivalent of advance purchase rate plus zero tax with refundability. Nice, but not worth keeping track of expiring points. I will enjoy my zero points balance after my last 400 points expired.

Reluctantly bought 4x 55k points. Also had 4x 42k on hold in two browsers, but decided to pass. Choice points are still a good deal in Scandinavia, on peak weekend nights at the Oregon coast, etc., but my main use -- Preferred Hotels -- has been really buggy recently.