Earlier this year IHG confirmed that they would be moving towards variable pricing for award stays, rather than using award categories with fixed prices. Traditionally the most expensive award nights cost 60,000 points per night, this maximum was increased to 70,000 at the start of 2019. Now with this variable pricing IHG is charging up to 100,000 points per night. It seems that there are three properties charging this new rate:
- Intercontinental Maldives
- Intercontinental Alliance Resorts The Venetian Macao
- Intercontinental Alliance Resorts The Parisian Macao
Interestingly the cash rates of the Macau properties aren’t even that high ($200 a night in some cases). When IHG introduced variable awards I said that this really meant one of three things:
- Award prices are directly linked to the cash price of the room. This is the method Southwest uses.
- Off peak/peak pricing. The Marriott program will soon introduce peak and off peak pricing.
- No transparency, make it up as you go. This is the method that Delta currently uses to determine award flights, they have completely removed the award chart and just make changes on the fly with no notice.
Unfortunately it looks like IHG has gone for the no transparency make things up as you go route. Award prices are definitely not being tied to the cash rate ($200 property costing 100,000 points per night doesn’t fit with that narrative) it also doesn’t look like they are using off peak/peak pricing for any of these properties either. Less transparency is always a bad thing because it means these companies can make negative changes without informing loyalty members or being held accountable.
Hat tip to VFTW
That’s a shame. Normally I would just move on to another program when this happens, but I find that IHG hotels internationally are some of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed at. Changes like this really hurt.
So how do we best dump the points we have on this card today, so we can then dump the card?
TIA
I have not stayed at IHG in a long time
I saved my points for years and they just loose their value more and more. I should have used them up 3 years ago when point breaks still meant something
Good. Do it to Bora Bora next. It’s impossible for actual point earners to get a free night there
That leaves what 1 good hotel chain with decent award night structure left?
Motel 6? Oh, wait I think they don’t have a loyalty program.
Hyatt, but their footprint is small.
Universally accepted as Hyatt, as far as bang for your buck goes. They have a smaller footprint yet, subt are prevelent in areas that travelers visit.
It seems like the only real value with the IHG card is using the points for point break specials. That’s if there is something close to you.
Especially true 2 years ago, when you could get a cool little suite-hotel near the Finger Lakes or on your way to another road trip destination for 5K. Now they are 10K which , if you have the points, isnt terrible… But since Hyatt Points through UR = a way better hotel for 8,000 – once you’re done with the IGH Points in your bank, the card is quickly made worthless.
And I redeemed my points for gift cards. Now which is the worse deal?
I kinda understand the Maldives
I’m curious if the Macao is so 100k because of points and they have found that most reward stays at Casino don’t generate much revenue from gambling.
Where as they offer low cash prices as loss leader that is offset by gambling.
Macao hotels are relatively cheap during the weekdays. Only expensive on Fri and Sat. Just like hotels in Las Vegas.
There are many mainland Chinese come to Macao for long weekends and school holidays. The fraudulent selling of reward nights in mainland China is rampant. IHG has had a lot crack downs done, so as Marriott groups. I am not surprised this seemingly ridiculous 100K requirement is partly caused by the effort to crack down selling award rooms.
None of those properties are worth that.
Imagine how disappointed a non-churner will be when they go to see what their years of organic point accumulation buys them.
Right, spend all year on the card to find out you can only get a free night in some dump in the middle of Nebraska. Ouch!
Anyone who spends on the IHG card doesn’t know what they are doing… now and in the past.