IHG has a 10,000 points per InterContinental stay rate promotion from July 6 to August 31, 2009. There appears to be no restriction on the number of times the bonus may be earned. The value of this promotion is the possibility to buy Priority Club points at a discount. Promotion link. Loyalty Traveler Promotion Rating = 2 to 4 keys (5 key scale) depending on specific InterContinental Hotel rate differences between the lowest available rate and the 10,000 bonus points rate. Compare rates carefully before committing to the 10,000 bonus points rate. Loyalty Traveler checked hotel rates for the five InterContinental Hotels in California and Arizona and the survey sample revealed the 10,000 bonus points rate was always higher than the lowest available rate for the same nights. Some of the hotels would cost more to buy points for a 2-night stay than just purchasing points directly through Priority Club. Only one of the five hotels I checked had a 10,000 points rate that would still be a good value with more than a one night stay.
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InterContinental Hotels 10,000 Bonus Points Rates |
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Hotel |
10,000 Points Rate |
Lowest Rate Available |
Extra Cost per night for 10,000 points* |
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IC Mark Hopkins San Francisco, CA Friday July 10, 2009
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$139 |
$126 |
$13 |
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IC San Francisco, CA Friday July 10, 2009 |
$179 |
$127.20 |
$51.80 |
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IC The Clement Monterey, CA Wed July 8- Fri July 10
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$254 (minimum 2-nights) |
$216 |
$38×2 = $76 |
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IC Los Angeles Century City Friday July 10, 2009
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$244 |
$184 (AAA) |
$60 |
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IC Montelucia, Scottsdale, AZ Friday July 10, 2009
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$175 |
$95 |
$80 |
*(Tax is additional 10% to 16% on price shown in extra cost per night for 10,000 points rate)
InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco = 4 keys
but this promotion is only 2 keys for InterContinental Montelucia Scottsdale, AZ.
The promotion seems like a good value promotion at the InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco where a rate just $13 more than the lowest available rate earns the 10,000 bonus points. ($126 lowest available rate; $139 for 10,000 bonus points rate).
The InterContinental Monterey – The Clement requires a two night stay and the 10,000 bonus points rate is $38 more per night. After two nights + 10.5% tax the 10,000 bonus points will cost $84 more than the lowest available rate.
Why pay $84 more to earn 10,000 bonus Priority Club points when you can buy 10,000 points for $60 when it comes time to redeem for a free night using the Priority Club Cash & Points awards? See my post from last week on the rationale for buying Priority Club bonus points during hotel stays and redemptions.
This deal is more an opportunity to buy discounted points rather than a promotion for bonus points for staying at an InterContinental Hotel between July 6 and August 31st. In some cases the 10,000 bonus points rate may be a great purchase such as a one night stay at the Mark Hopkins where $13 + 15.5% tax will buy you 10,000 bonus points. But there are cheaper ways for points than paying the higher rates for a two night stay in Monterey or an extra $80 per night for the InterContinental in Scottsdale.
The InterContinental San Francisco is currently running a $159 California Staycation rate for residents of California that includes parking and breakfast for two each night. This may be a much better deal than the 10,000 bonus points for a rate $20 per night less.
Related Loyalty Traveler link: IHG Cash & Points Award Nights, June 20, 2009, details how to get 10,000 points for $60.
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