Ambassador and IHG bonus points questions

[NZflygirl]

Last year I was trialling hotel loyalty programmes. This included paying for Ambassador which I quite liked. I've decided I don't want to commit to aiming for platinum. After completing one of the accelerate offers last year I accrued a few points and decided to use those towards Ambassador renewal. It was 24,000 points, I was expecting a 5,000 point voucher like last year although this year it went straight into my account and I also received a voucher for a further 10,000 points deposit - yes!!! Is this the norm?? Because effectively I've used only 9,000 points which seems like peanuts AND I still have the free weekend night voucher to use. Really happy with this deal! Or .... did someone at IHG make a mistake?

I have a stay coming up and decided to buy the extra 1,000 points for NZD $5. Never done this before. Not even sure I should be doing it. What do other IHG users do? Do you normally add on the bonus points?

I think I read something about the 5,000 point break nights? were valued around $35 meaning 1,000 points were valued at $7 so.... I think buying them for $5 is ok?

We've used a couple of redemptions this year so I guess we find the programme useful to some degree.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Last year I was trialling hotel loyalty programmes. This included paying for Ambassador which I quite liked. I've decided I don't want to commit to aiming for platinum. After completing one of the accelerate offers last year I accrued a few points and decided to use those towards Ambassador renewal. It was 24,000 points, I was expecting a 5,000 point voucher like last year although this year it went straight into my account and I also received a voucher for a further 10,000 points deposit - yes!!! Is this the norm?? Because effectively I've used only 9,000 points which seems like peanuts AND I still have the free weekend night voucher to use. Really happy with this deal! Or .... did someone at IHG make a mistake?

I think your 5,000 points received online would have been part of your new accelerate offer: part of my accelerate offer was for 5,000 points to renew my Ambassador membership.

I have a stay coming up and decided to buy the extra 1,000 points for NZD $5. Never done this before. Not even sure I should be doing it. What do other IHG users do? Do you normally add on the bonus points?

Why not? They offer it so you can take advantage of it.

But it's usually cheaper to do points + pay. If you need more points than that, you may find that you originally booked the wrong date or the wrong hotel and be forced to cancel and use points + pay again for the booking you really want

I think I read something about the 5,000 point break nights? were valued around $35 meaning 1,000 points were valued at $7 so.... I think buying them for $5 is ok?

Not sure where the $35 value comes from.

I booked a 5,000 points break night at the HI Rosebank in JNB. Current rate for this hotel is around ZAR 1,500 or 20k points. So points break is good value if the dates suit your travel plans.

Edit: Did you really get 5,000 points for $NZ5 (or 7)? If so, that's great value. The web site lists the price to buy 1,000 points as $US13-50

 

[NZflygirl]

I think your 5,000 points received online would have been part of your new accelerate offer: part of my accelerate offer was for 5,000 points to renew my Ambassador membership.

Ah - I just checked and it was on the accelerate offer as you say. I just signed up for it but didn't pay attention as it's only really convenient in a few places so I wasn't going to aim for the targets, just get a few bonus points if I stay. Is 10,000 deposit points normal for the ambassador deal or just a one off this year or something that only comes with renewals? My first year last year was only for 5,000 points.

Why not? They offer it so you can take advantage of it.

But it's usually cheaper to do points + pay. If you need more points than that, you may find that you originally booked the wrong date or the wrong hotel and be forced to cancel and use points + pay again for the booking you really want

I haven't actually used the points + pay but must look into that

Not sure where the $35 value comes from.

I booked a 5,000 points break night at the HI Rosebank in JNB. Current rate for this hotel is around ZAR 1,500 or 20k points. So points break is good value if the dates suit your travel plans.

Edit: Did you really get 5,000 points for $NZ5 (or 7)? If so, that's great value. The web site lists the price to buy 1,000 points as $US13-50

I read someone else's valuation of the $35 for 5,000 points. Whenever I've looked at points break I have to admit they've not been in destinations relevant to my travel plans.

No it was 1,000 points for $5. This was in addition to the booking you could add on these bonus points for $5 within the booking page. When you list the price to buy points as you have then yeah it looks like a really good bargain!

I've actually had a change of plans and wanted to add another night but was going to have to change rooms or pay more than I wanted to and I could get a cheaper rate, no room change AND breakfast included at Rydges so cancelled the IHG booking which was free. This is in NZ.

 

[samh004]

Last year I was trialling hotel loyalty programmes. This included paying for Ambassador which I quite liked. I've decided I don't want to commit to aiming for platinum.

If you knew a Spire member, they can give a Platinum membership to friends/family or take 25k bonus points when they qualify for the level, which effectively values Platinum at 25k points, if you get what I mean

 

[Jacques Vert]

No it was 1,000 points for $5. This was in addition to the booking you could add on these bonus points for $5 within the booking page. When you list the price to buy points as you have then yeah it looks like a really good bargain!

OK; a booking with bonus points rather than a buy points through the website. Now I understand.

 

[NZflygirl]

If you knew a Spire member, they can give a Platinum membership to friends/family or take 25k bonus points when they qualify for the level, which effectively values Platinum at 25k points, if you get what I mean

I get you. It's like the Qantas bonus of either giving away Gold or taking 50,000 at 2400 points?

It's ok, I am happy not being platinum Gold is fine for me in this program. Unless of course they bring back that dining rewards card that bumps you up a tier! Depends on what would be on offer though.

 

[samh004]

I get you. It's like the Qantas bonus of either giving away Gold or taking 50,000 at 2400 points?

Yup.

It's ok, I am happy not being platinum Gold is fine for me in this program. Unless of course they bring back that dining rewards card that bumps you up a tier! Depends on what would be on offer though.

I am interested in a re-badge of that too.