Does the Mar 31 date mean that? I thought the status one gained in a calendar year was valid for the rest of that year, all the following year and through to Mar 31 the subsequent year, regardless of when in the first year status was gained.
IIRC, all anecdotes raised here about VA SM to HH related to those who jumped in when the SM was first offered and only gained the following year and the subsequent year to Mar 31 but that was largely because a) the SM was only offered in Aug. '11 and b) HH took forever to process those SMs which meant most of us were only seeing them very late in the year, effectively wasting a year of status, whereas those who waited until early the next calendar year, achieved status for a full year longer. The only part I can't remember is whether there were stories of pre Mar 31 gaining the extra year?
I guess if the status is not needed in a big hurry, wait until after Mar 31 just to be sure.
Oh and I'd say HH offers the better value. Seems about all IHG gold gets you is a morning newspaper and some extra bonus points each stay. The IHG benefit I do see here in Oz is the fact there are more properties at more locations whereas Hilton is limited to just 7 locations here. OS is an entirely different story. IHG gold can be bought for $50, so that sort of gives you an idea of the value of that one whereas HH golds regularly get exec room upgrades which includes lounge access with complementary canapes and drinks in the evening and breakfast in the morning (often full breakfast in the restaurant), and as HH benefits applies to both you and your partner (and unofficially, often kids as well) and also includes things like internet, HH gold can be worth well over $50 in just one stay......in fact hundreds of dollars in just one stay!
and the tip 're waiting until April. How does that get you nearly two years? I thought it as only 12 mths but will wait as not travelling till after then
