IHG Rewards Points Calculation

[Sunhill]

I don't think this has been raised in a thread anywhere. Over the last 18 months, I have started to carefully check the points for each stay at IHG hotels, and there is a systematic error in the way that points are calculated ... for my account anyway. I wonder if anyone else is finding the same thing.

The programme promises 10 points per US dollar spent at the hotel, but...
1. This is after taxes (like GST or VAT) and other service or misc charges have been deducted, and then
2. A slightly stingy exchange rate is applied to convert into US dollars.

If I check the "Earning Details" and take all this into account, then the total US dollar amount they come up with is fine. But then they can't seem to multiply that number by 10 to work out the points. It's always something like 9.2. I'm on the phone to the Philippines after EVERY stay (and I'm sure I don't need to go into the standard of service there). On average, the eighth person I talk to will recognise and correct the error. I've been told it will be investigated, but it's either too hard for them or just simply ignored.

This may sound trivial, but I'm usually on the margin between Gold and Platinum, so for me it's important. How often do you guys check this? Is it happening for anyone else?

At this point I should add that I have no hesitation in staying at IHG hotels. The staff there usually do a great job, and at my more regular venues, I'm always made to feel valued and welcome. It's a shame that they are let down by poor service elsewhere in the chain ... so to speak.

 

[JohnK]

I haven't checked it down to the detail you have checked. If the number of points earned is close enough to the USD amount of the stay then I accept their calculation.

 

[Sunhill]

If they deliberately want to award 9 points per US$ then they could just be up front and transparent about it and say so on the website. But there are plenty of threads that suggest that this is not the IHG way. In the mean time, I'm just frustrated to have to keep making a few phone calls to get the extra 8.5% worth of points that I have earned.

 

[Austman]

It's been like this for years, perhaps decades. I've also had them adjust it when the exchange rate was too far from reality. So I don't think it's going to change any time soon.

 

[travelislife]

I just noted the same thing. In the breakdown it gives the USD amount equivalent. But then multiply this by 10 and it doesn't work out to the amount of points, it is actually around 9.2 like you say. It must be something to do with their algorithm, pretty annoying.

What do they say on the phone Sunhill? Do they fix it for you?

 

[travelislife]

The other thing that they make very confusing is the breakdown of spend and how many points this equals as the breakdown in to Room, Food, Beveridge, etc. doesn't correlate with the items on the bill. Would be much easier if it directly reflected your bill.

 

[travelislife]

Well I ended up having that one quickly resolved all through email. Another 1,087 points added to the account which wouldn't be there otherwise. No explanation for why. Will have to check it again on the next stay and see if it is a recurring problem.

 

[disy]

I Love the IHG program and their hotels. Unfortunately, I have had this problem recur on my last 2 stays. On one stay the amount I calculated was less than half the number of points. I sent a missing point message to them and they made a small correction. I replied saying this was not correct and they added a few thousand more points however still way short of the mark. I agree it is frustrating because I often choose stays to increase to a higher tier but then fall short. I am starting to explore other hotel chains now as IHG are not as dependable as they were in the past.