In celebration of the 5th anniversary of Holiday Inn Club Vacations brand, IHG Rewards Club has a promotion for 5,000 bonus points per night on stays of two or more nights from February 5 through May 23, 2014.
This offer requires a special rate code and my checks of two properties shows the rates are higher for the 5,000 bonus points.
In my opinion, this offer is about a break-even value to pay a higher nightly room rate for the 5,000 bonus points per night. This is based on the ease of buying 10,000 points for $70 through Point & Cash rewards.
The Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts may be a great value at their regular rates and AAA rates for a family traveling together instead of booking a couple of hotel rooms. These resorts offer two bedroom villas in most locations.
There are currently 10 Holiday Inn Club Vacations resorts.
Rate Analysis: Monday, March 10 to Friday, March 14.
5000 Bonus Points per Night rate
- 1-bedroom villa with 1 King bed = $174 ($195 after tax)
- 2-bedroom villa with 2 King beds + sleeper sofa = $224 ($251 after tax)
AAA rate
- 1-bedroom villa with 1 King bed = $143.10 ($160 after tax)
- 2-bedroom villa with 2 King beds + sleeper sofa = $188.10 ($211 after tax)
These rates are taxed at 12%. The nightly rate is $35 to $40 more to earn the 5,000 bonus points. This is poor value since IHG Rewards Club members can buy points at the rate of $70 for 10,000 points through Points and Cash rewards.
Orlando Orange Lake Resort, Kissimmee, Florida
12.5% tax + $7.95 per night service charge
5000 Bonus Points per Night rate
- 2-bedroom villa with 1 King bed + 2 Queen beds = $284 ($327 after tax)
- 2-bedroom villa with 1 King bed + 2 Queen beds with park view = $314 ($361 after tax)
- Deluxe Villa = $344 ($395 after tax)
AAA rate
- 1-bedroom villa with 1 King bed = $256 ($296 after tax)
- 2-bedroom villa with 2 King beds + sleeper sofa = $285 ($329 after tax)
- Deluxe Villa = $313 ($360 after tax).
The rates for the Orlando property work out better with the nightly rate after tax being $31 to $35 more for the 5,000 bonus points package. This is a reasonable deal at this hotel for 5,000 bonus points and a few dollars less than Points & Cash rate.
The 5,000 bonus points offer is not a compelling promotional bonus. This offer can be a good way to pick up extra points at a price that possibly is slightly lower than getting points through a Points & Cash reservation booked and cancelled to buy 10,000 points for $70.
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Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.
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