Hotel Loyalty 2014-Q1 hotel promotions IHG One Rewards InterContinental Hotels Group

Holiday Inn Club Vacations 5,000 bonus points per night to May 23

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.

Las Vegas Desert Club Resort

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.

*****

Ric Garrido of Monterey, California is writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler.

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