Coming off of a quiet start to the week, the second day brings us more in
both the news and bonus offer departments!
News, Tips & Tricks
InterContinental Hotels Group has announced
that they are changing the name of their loyalty program from Priority Club
(ironically the 30th anniversary of Priority Club is this year) to IHG Rewards
Club. There aren’t a lot of details yet on the new program but the announcement
page has put out a couple of teasers of what you can expect from the new IHG
Rewards Club program:
1. Free Internet worldwide for all members in 2014 but starts early for Gold
and Platinum elite members in July 2013. A nice new benefit especially when
2014 hits for the non-elites. While most of IHG’s lower end brands (HI, HI Express)
offer free Internet, its the higher end brands like InterContinental where you
can really get dinged. So it makes sense to join the program even just for the
free Internet if you will have IHG stays in 2014
2. Fast Track to elite status when you stay in two or more IHG brands. No
details on this yet. In the past it used to be quite easy to earn status with
Priority Club as all points earned counted towards status but that changed earlier
this year and this is probably why this new feature will come into play.
3. Like SPG and Hilton , IHG Rewards Nights will now count towards Elite Membership
status
4. Like Marriott, nights earned beyond your highest elite level will count towards
Platinum Elite status in the following year.
The new program will become live in July and once more details are released
I will pass these along to you. I know many Rewards Canada readers are big time
Priority Club players so I’d love hear your initial thoughts on the change!
Emirates will begin adding a fuel surcharge to Skywards rewards tickets
as of March 31. They will give the option to their members to pay for the fuel
surcharges with cash or miles. Emirates claims that due the volatility of fuel
price they can no longer absorb this cost on reward tickets.
Travel Deals
Have an upcoming trip to Scandinavia? Scandic Hotels is offering
their Scandic Frequent Guest members a 25% discount on weekend stays at over
150 Scandic hotels in Scandinavia and Europe. The offer is valid Fridays – Sundays
until 30 April 2013. Book by 7 April. Full details
Bonus Offers
American AAdvantage
– OFFER EXTENDED 2,000 Business ExtrAA Points when you enroll your business
in BusinessExtrAA and reach $3,000 in eligible spend by June 30, 2013 plus earn
5,000 AAdvantage bonus miles by flying on American Airlines. More…
Until Jun 30, 13
InterContinental Hotels Group Priority Club
– 5,000 points per award night – Priority Club Point Breaks Redeem only
5,000 points for stays at select hotels Worldwide. Offer and participating hotels
are subject to change at any time, valid for stays thru Jun 30, 13. More…
Starwood Preferred Guest
– 5,000 Bonus Starpoints + $50 Daily Credit + Breakfast for stays of 14
or more nights at the Sheraton Maldives. Full Moon Resort & Spa More…
Until Dec 23, 13
Stash Hotel Rewards
– Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays in a King Guest Room at the SeaCrest
OceanFront Hotel Pismo Beach. More…
Until Apr 30, 13
– Double Stash Rewards Points for Sunday-Thursday stays at the Portland Regency
Hotel & Spa. More…
Until Apr 30, 13
– Triple Stash Rewards Points for stays at The Commons Hotel Minneapolis. More…
Until Apr 30, 13
– 1,000 Bonus Stash Rewards Points PER NIGHT for stays at The Benjamin New York.
More… Until May
31, 13
– Double Stash Rewards Points for stays of 2+ nights at the Williamsburg Hospitality
House. More… Until
Apr 30, 13
TAP Portugal Victoria
– Double Victoria Miles on rentals of 3 or more days at participating Hertz
locations Worldwide. More…
Until Apr 30, 13
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
– 1,500 Bonus Flying Club Miles when you join Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club
and fly on any of Virgin Atlantic Little Red flights between London Heathrow
and Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Manchester. More…
Mar 31 – Jun 30, 13
– Quadruple Flying Club Miles for every stay in a participating hotel from the
Hilton HHonors portfolio in London and throughout Scotland. More…
Mar 31 – Jun 30, 13