Global Priority Club relaunch in the next two months

[markis10]

Interesting article at BT about the upcoming relaunch of PC:

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is planning a global revamp to its Priority Rewards programme in the next two months.

Karin Sheppard, IHG’s Vice President Commercial for Middle East and Africa, said the programme’s identity will be refreshed and more flexibility given to members with points redemption.

“We’ve carried out a lot of research and it’s clear that for business travellers, what’s motivating them is the rewards at the end of it and what you can do with your points,” she said.

She said while airline partners will continue to be added to the programme, a ‘flights anywhere’ function will allow travellers to redeem their points on any flight globally, and follows the introduction of ‘points + cash’, much like airlines offer.

Mobile communications will continue to be a focal point, making it easier for executives to make and amend bookings on the road. She said its iPhone application has received 200,000 downloads since launch in April 2010.

Global relaunch for Priority Rewards - Business Traveller

 

[docjames]

I just hope they dont dilute the current redemtpion values.

 

[TonyHancock]

I feel a Qantas style "enhancement" coming on.

 

[JohnK]

I can smell an "enhancement" soon.

I don't need a feature in a hotel loyalty program that allows me to book a ~$1,000 flight for ~1,000,000 PC points when I can get that same flight as an award using Amex MR points for ~46,250 Amex MR points + taxes.

What we need is better hotel room redemptions for our PC points and possibly realistic conversions to FF programs not the current 10,000 PC points = 1,500 airline points/miles.

I would really love to know where these loyalty programs get their feedback....

 

[markis10]

What I would like to see is benefits of status being applied to reward stays.

 

[oz_mark]

I can smell an "enhancement" soon.

How about new cards:
http://www.priorityclub.com/hotels/...about-priority-club-rewards/membership-levels

 

[anat0l]

Benefits of status applied to award stays would be nice, although given that there aren't really a lot of benefits anyway as an elite (upgrade is the only one, which is marginal at best in most places), I probably couldn't care less.

I have had award stays and offered amenities, however, such as free water, fruit, some other food item or free drinks at the bar, but they do vary and aren't consistent (depends strongly on property). Free internet - never had it, now that would be nice. (I can see a few on this forum have got free internet through some light complaining.)

Apart from that, the program fulfils an OK role as it does right now. It would be nice if you could more accurately track all your current offers, because my Offers page is a complete mess, and I think never updates any more (even though I am eligible for various what not, and have earned them, too).

Redemptions are a good price, despite some properties being overpriced (i.e. almost every Holiday Inn in Australia). Considering that points are already too easy to accumulate (and pretty much overinflated now due to so many CTC promo recipients), I don't think lowering redemption levels is - on a whole - necessary. Maybe having the ability to select other classes of rooms besides just the lowest (of course, at higher cost).
If PC want to offer a feature for people to burn their miles for flights, even at a 1c/pt level, then so be it. It'll be no better (or worse) than Amex or other bank programs, and really is only for those with more points than they can burn. Given the recent CTC promo, that mightn't be completely difficult for some, let alone how many points some people can rake in over the year(s) alone. (Same thing about Any Seat Awards and people who were perpetual NBs churning their credit cards with hundreds of thousands of dollars (or millions) in business expenses). Point is (no pun intended) I won't use it. So there.

I like PC because it is fairly easy to earn and burn. Elite benefits aren't great, but if I need a room in a pinch more often than not PC can help me. Contrast this to Hilton where points are difficult to come by and redemptions even more (unless you feed your credit card points into it), but the elite benefits are comparatively better.

In fact, even if PC raised all its redemptions by 5k points, that would not be welcome, but it would still be one of the easiest for redemptions out there (i.e. not enough to throw my PC Platinum away).

 

[TonyHancock]

Benefits of status applied to award stays would be nice, although given that there aren't really a lot of benefits anyway as an elite (upgrade is the only one, which is marginal at best in most places), I probably couldn't care less.

I have had award stays and offered amenities, however, such as free water, fruit, some other food item or free drinks at the bar, but they do vary and aren't consistent (depends strongly on property). Free internet - never had it, now that would be nice. (I can see a few on this forum have got free internet through some light complaining.)

Apart from that, the program fulfils an OK role as it does right now. It would be nice if you could more accurately track all your current offers, because my Offers page is a complete mess, and I think never updates any more (even though I am eligible for various what not, and have earned them, too).

Redemptions are a good price, despite some properties being overpriced (i.e. almost every Holiday Inn in Australia). Considering that points are already too easy to accumulate (and pretty much overinflated now due to so many CTC promo recipients), I don't think lowering redemption levels is - on a whole - necessary. Maybe having the ability to select other classes of rooms besides just the lowest (of course, at higher cost).
If PC want to offer a feature for people to burn their miles for flights, even at a 1c/pt level, then so be it. It'll be no better (or worse) than Amex or other bank programs, and really is only for those with more points than they can burn. Given the recent CTC promo, that mightn't be completely difficult for some, let alone how many points some people can rake in over the year(s) alone. (Same thing about Any Seat Awards and people who were perpetual NBs churning their credit cards with hundreds of thousands of dollars (or millions) in business expenses). Point is (no pun intended) I won't use it. So there.

I like PC because it is fairly easy to earn and burn. Elite benefits aren't great, but if I need a room in a pinch more often than not PC can help me. Contrast this to Hilton where points are difficult to come by and redemptions even more (unless you feed your credit card points into it), but the elite benefits are comparatively better.

In fact, even if PC raised all its redemptions by 5k points, that would not be welcome, but it would still be one of the easiest for redemptions out there (i.e. not enough to throw my PC Platinum away).

Excellent post anat01!

I could not agree more! Pretty much sums up my position.

 

[kamchatsky]

For me, most of my redemptions over the years have been on PointBreaks. But with the avalanche number of points awarded for CTC, I have feeling that the "enhancement" will not benefit me.

I also have a strong feeling that PointBreaks will cease to exist in the current form.

 

[markis10]

Benefits of status applied to award stays would be nice, although given that there aren't really a lot of benefits anyway as an elite (upgrade is the only one, which is marginal at best in most places), I probably couldn't care less.

While the benefits of Platinum reflect the ease of its attainment, so do the benefits of being a RA. If they were to move RA to cover all properties in terms of benefits that would be a major shift, free internet, early checkin/late checkout, free mini bar and guaranteed upgrades are awesome.

Redemptions are a good price, despite some properties being overpriced (i.e. almost every Holiday Inn in Australia). Considering that points are already too easy to accumulate (and pretty much overinflated now due to so many CTC promo recipients), I don't think lowering redemption levels is - on a whole - necessary. Maybe having the ability to select other classes of rooms besides just the lowest (of course, at higher cost).

I am not sure I would say the HIs are mostly overpriced, I am staying in one right now for $70 a night and rarely pay more than $150, they seem to fit well into their local market on that basis, and follow local pricing trends.

If PC want to offer a feature for people to burn their miles for flights, even at a 1c/pt level, then so be it. It'll be no better (or worse) than Amex or other bank programs, and really is only for those with more points than they can burn. Given the recent CTC promo, that mightn't be completely difficult for some, let alone how many points some people can rake in over the year(s) alone. (Same thing about Any Seat Awards and people who were perpetual NBs churning their credit cards with hundreds of thousands of dollars (or millions) in business expenses). Point is (no pun intended) I won't use it. So there.

You have not been using it, since points for flight rewards have been in the program for at least a year, and yes, they are poor value.

 

[oz_mark]

If PC want to offer a feature for people to burn their miles for flights, even at a 1c/pt level, then so be it. It'll be no better (or worse) than Amex or other bank programs, and really is only for those with more points than they can burn.

Such a feature already exists and it is called 'Flights Anywhere'. The redemption rate is somewhat lower than 1c/pt, which is not surprising given that hotels pay PC 0.5c per point for them.

 

[anat0l]

I am not sure I would say the HIs are mostly overpriced, I am staying in one right now for $70 a night and rarely pay more than $150, they seem to fit well into their local market on that basis, and follow local pricing trends.

When I said overpriced I should've clarified. I meant in points cost.

Cash price most of the time is alright, although in some places overseas (e.g. Europe) they can get rather high for what they are worth (even if Holiday Inns overseas are better maintained, have better quality amenities and better service than Australian properties).

On the other hand, many of the HIs in Australia are award priced at the 25k points mark. There are a decent handful of properties overseas which are priced only at the 10k or 15k mark. I know it's all about yield management, but it does make for a rather big disincentive to stay on award in Australia, where I'd rather stump up even $150 for a HI room before 25k (or 15k + USD60).

 

[Bundy Bear]

Benefits of status applied to award stays would be nice, although given that there aren't really a lot of benefits anyway as an elite (upgrade is the only one, which is marginal at best in most places), I probably couldn't care less.

I have had award stays and offered amenities, however, such as free water, fruit, some other food item or free drinks at the bar, but they do vary and aren't consistent (depends strongly on property). Free internet - never had it, now that would be nice. (I can see a few on this forum have got free internet through some light complaining.)

Apart from that, the program fulfils an OK role as it does right now. It would be nice if you could more accurately track all your current offers, because my Offers page is a complete mess, and I think never updates any more (even though I am eligible for various what not, and have earned them, too).

Redemptions are a good price, despite some properties being overpriced (i.e. almost every Holiday Inn in Australia). Considering that points are already too easy to accumulate (and pretty much overinflated now due to so many CTC promo recipients), I don't think lowering redemption levels is - on a whole - necessary. Maybe having the ability to select other classes of rooms besides just the lowest (of course, at higher cost).
If PC want to offer a feature for people to burn their miles for flights, even at a 1c/pt level, then so be it. It'll be no better (or worse) than Amex or other bank programs, and really is only for those with more points than they can burn. Given the recent CTC promo, that mightn't be completely difficult for some, let alone how many points some people can rake in over the year(s) alone. (Same thing about Any Seat Awards and people who were perpetual NBs churning their credit cards with hundreds of thousands of dollars (or millions) in business expenses). Point is (no pun intended) I won't use it. So there.

I like PC because it is fairly easy to earn and burn. Elite benefits aren't great, but if I need a room in a pinch more often than not PC can help me. Contrast this to Hilton where points are difficult to come by and redemptions even more (unless you feed your credit card points into it), but the elite benefits are comparatively better.

In fact, even if PC raised all its redemptions by 5k points, that would not be welcome, but it would still be one of the easiest for redemptions out there (i.e. not enough to throw my PC Platinum away).

Agreed +2,

What I am not a fan of is all the points offers that are now displayed on Flyertalk, great to get the status, but it does dilute the value of status on Priority Club.

What would be nice is some recognition of status with other freebies like free internet. I know Hilton give their Golds and above free wifi so why not Priority Club Platinum members.

I think the program is ok, and I hope they don't tweak it too much and give it the Qantas enhancement treatment.

I do find the ichotelsgroup.com booking website probably the easiest of all the chains to use so I hope they don't change that too much. I remember signing up to the program in 2002 and it made bookings for my holiday stays that much easier.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I have it on very good authority that one of the changes will be the ability to redeem for higher room types...for more points, of course.

Seems IHG is trying to get some points out of the system this way, rather than hiking the points needed for a standard room.

 

[markis10]

When I said overpriced I should've clarified. I meant in points cost.

Cash price most of the time is alright, although in some places overseas (e.g. Europe) they can get rather high for what they are worth (even if Holiday Inns overseas are better maintained, have better quality amenities and better service than Australian properties).

On the other hand, many of the HIs in Australia are award priced at the 25k points mark. There are a decent handful of properties overseas which are priced only at the 10k or 15k mark. I know it's all about yield management, but it does make for a rather big disincentive to stay on award in Australia, where I'd rather stump up even $150 for a HI room before 25k (or 15k + USD60).

No problems, I understand and have to agree, what gets me is the difference in points cost for two hotels in the same city that for revenue nights, often at the same price, Darwin and the Gold Coast come to mind where often the HI and CPs have the same room pricing.

 

[futaris]

Priority Club Rewards Relaunch Introduces Last Minute Reward Nights - Loyalty Traveler

Last Minute Reward Nights: A hotel industry first, “Last Minute Reward Nights” will allow Priority Club members globally to redeem Reward Nights at a 50% discount off the regular point price, for selected properties. Members will receive an e-mail on Monday providing a list of hotels where this offer will be available the following weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Initially, this program will be offered on the first full weekend of every month, starting with May 6, 7 and 8, 2011.

Points & Cash for Merchandise Rewards: Also a hotel industry first, Priority Club members in the U.S. will be able to redeem a combination of Priority Club points and cash for brand name retail merchandise rewards. Priority Club Rewards currently offers points and cash capability on Reward Nights, but this will expand that functionality to merchandise rewards, a feature not offered anywhere in the industry. The program will roll out globally beginning late 2011.

“Lucky Points” Sweepstakes: This feature will give members based in the US, Canada, and UK the chance to turn their extra points into great rewards. Members will be able to redeem a very small quantity of Priority Club points (e.g., 100 or 200 points per entry) in exchange for a chance to win the prize or prizes that are most appealing to them. Typically, members will have 6-8 different prize draws to select from, ranging from terrific hotel packages (e.g. 4 nights at the InterContinental Times Square- New York) to popular merchandise (e.g., iPads), and even 1 million Priority Club points! Priority Club Rewards will be the only travel loyalty program to offer members this chance to turn a single stay into a huge prize! The program will roll out in China and Japan beginning fall 2011.

Downloadable Media Rewards: Priority Club Rewards will be the first travel loyalty program to give members the flexibility to redeem their points directly for downloadable media, including the latest music hits and millions of other songs, plus eBooks, mobile games and applications, and computer software. This will open up a terrific opportunity for members to turn relatively small quantities of points into tangible rewards. The program will initially rollout online in English globally and in several European languages beginning late 2011.