Changes coming to Priority Club Rewards program...best of all is free Internet

"Exciting changes" (their words, not mine) are coming to the Priority Club Rewards program, beginning this summer. First, the program has been renamed to the IHG Rewards Club (yawn). Second, they've added a slew of new benefits that should please most members.

As pictured in the screenshot above, new benefits include:

• Free Internet worldwide--apparently this perk is not just available while staying in an IHG hotel, but even if you're just stopping by for a coffee. The free Internet is supposed to start for Platinum and Gold Elite members in July 2013 and for all members in 2014.
• Fast track to Elite status when you stay in two or more IHG brands.
• Reward nights counting toward Elite status.
• Nights earned beyond Elite status will count toward Platinum Elite status the next year.

I am most excited about the free Internet benefit. This is a huge benefit as many of their hotels don't currently offer free Internet. I have an award stay coming up in Italy in July. (I am Platinum Elite thanks to the Priority Club Rewards Visa). Hopefully, there will not be any glitches and this benefit will start at the beginning of July.

The other new benefits don't matter to me so much, since, as I just mentioned, the PC credit card comes with Platinum Elite status (here's my post about when I signed up for the card).

2,013-point new member bonus for Priority Club Dining

Now that you (might) need more Priority Club points for those free hotel stays this year, this is a perfect opportunity to sign up for the dining program while there is an increased new member bonus of 2,013 points instead of the usual 1,000 points. In addition to the new member bonus, as an online member you get 5 Priority Club points per dollar spent at participating restaurants. Then once you have 12 qualified transaction in the calendar year, you are considered an elite member and will receive 8 points per dollar. This is on top of whatever points/miles you're getting from the issuer of your credit card (Chase, Citi, AMEX, etc).

Here's some of the fine print:

This bonus offer is open to new Priority Club^® Dining members or existing members without a dining profile at the time of registration. A dining profile includes creating a web login and opting in and remaining opted in to receive emails from Priority Club^® Dining with a valid, deliverable email address. To qualify, your profile must originate through one of the links on this page and be completed by February 28, 2013. You must continue to satisfy other Online and/or Elite Member level criteria to earn this bonus. To earn this bonus, you must spend a total of $40 or more (including tax and tip) in one dine at a participating restaurant, bar or club within 30 days from the day of your registration. You must also submit a dining review within 30 days of dining.

So basically you:

• Sign up for the program (this requires registering the credit card(s) you plan to use while dining out)
• Spend $40 or more at a participating restaurant, bar or club within 30 days of registering (can't spend $40 on a single meal? buy a gift card!)
• Then submit a review of your dine within 30 days (they'll email you a link to complete the review)
• Get points!

Most of the major airlines and hotel programs have their own dining programs with sign up bonuses, so watch out for limited time new member bonuses like this that are larger than usual. I'm already enrolled with the dining program for Priority Club (and American Airlines), so I can't take advantage of this offer. I'm waiting for an increased new member bonus to show up for United or Southwest!

Starwood (SPG) and Priority Club update award redemption values

It’s a bad day in the world of hotel point redemptions, with two popular chains announcing some major devaluations. I know #firstworldproblems, right? Anyhow, if you’re planning any free or cheap hotel stays, take heed, as it may take more points to do so this year.

Starwood

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) has announced that the Cash & Points redemptions will change starting March 5

According to this page, changes will include:

• Adding the ability to redeem for upgraded rooms such as suites, Club Rooms, Smart Rooms, and rooms with a view, where available.
• Adding all Category 1 and 2 destinations worldwide.
• Updating pricing for standard room redemption, with the intention of expanded availability.

Here's the new chart that takes effect on March 5, 2013.

Until then, you can book standard rooms at the current rates. Here's the current cash & points chart:

And a Starwood rep also posted on Flyertalk that the annual category changes will take place in early March. The rep estimates the list will be finalized in mid-Februrary and that they will post it on FT as soon as it’s available

Priority Club Rewards

A few weeks ago, Priority Club Rewards announced they’d be making some changes to the number of points required to redeem a reward night at IHG hotels. According to a Jan. 7 post from a PCR rep on Flyertalk, less than 30 percent of their hotels would be increasing and 30 percent of the hotels would be lower. Well, those changes took effect today.

Previously points were based on brand tiers so a lower-end property like Candlewood Suites was either 15,000 or 20,000 points no matter where it was (even in an expensive place like Times Square NYC) while a higher-end hotel like Intercontinental was either 30,000, 40,000 or 50,000 points. Now, the hotels are categorized regardless of brand by a nine category tier (that Candlewood in NYC is now 35,000 points).

As expected, many redemptions in the central areas of major world cities went up and many redemptions of hotels in outlying areas went down. One hotel that I have my eye on for this year went down from 25,000 to 20,000, which is good news for me.

Here’s the new chart

If you’re wondering whether a property you’re planning a stay went up or down, Loyalty Lobby has a list of the old points redemptions here. If the hotel that you originally planned to book now requires more points, you can call the Priority Club Service Center until March 18 to reserve your reward night at the original point price.

First mini app-o-rama...two approvals 130,000 points

Today marks the first time I have applied for more than one credit card at one time. Last year I conservatively began my journey into credit card churning for frequent flyer miles and hotel points, earning 230,000 miles/points in sign-up bonuses for opening up a total of five credit cards for the year (January, March, May, August and November). It was my initial intention to wait until February for my next "churn," but a great offer popped up and I decided not to wait.

First, I saw this post on slickdeals about a 100,000-point sign-up offer for the American Express Platinum card, and then I followed up for more information on flyertalk. Well, the $450 annual fee (not waived) for the Amex Platinum seemed a bit steep to me and I didn't think I'd really take advantage of all of the card's perks. 100,000 Amex points (great for transferring to hotel and airline programs) was tempting, but ultimately, I decided to go with the Premier Rewards Gold for 50,000 points and the first year $175 fee waived. Of course, I will cancel the card before year two rolls around. I do have to spend $1,000 in three months, which should be no trouble. This regular public offer for the PRG is 25,000 points, so this is double the points, which is why I jumped on it. The card's benefits include:

• 3 points per $ on airfare
• 2 points per $ on gas and groceries
• 1 point per $ on all other purchases
• Get an additional 15,000 points for spending $30,000 in one year
• Other Amex benefits such as roadside assistance, car rental loss & damage insurance, travel accident insurance, extended warranty

Unfortunately, I'm seeing reports on slickdeals and flyertalk the Amex offer might be dead, so that's precisely why it's important to jump on good deals quickly.

Then, I pulled the trigger on the 80,000-point Priority Club Select Visa using a link from flyertalk. Again, this bonus requires spending $1,000 in three months. I was a little surprised to get instant approval for this since I have a fair number of Chase cards, but I guess the odds were in my favor today. The annual fee of $49 is waived for the first year, but many think this card is worth keeping beyond the first year because you get a free night every year, which can be worth a lot more than $49 if you choose a top-dollar property. Other benefits include:

• 5 points per $ spent at IHG hotels
• 2 points per $ spent on gas,groceries and restaurants
• 1 point per $ on everything else
• 10% points rebate on any redemptions
• No foreign transaction fees
• Platinum elite status

I am looking forward to some free/cheap hotel stays in Europe this year with my 130,000 points!

More Priority Club points (and status!)

Back in June, I posted about my first mattress run at the Candlewood Suites (an IHG hotel). Shortly after the stay, I received 7,330 points, but I knew more were on the way. Well, all of the points I expected to receive finally posted and it looks like my one stay netted me a total of 17,330 points (the 3,000 other promotional points I received would have posted regardless of whether or not I had a "stay").

I'd say that's a pretty decent haul of points for just over $50 (room cost $131.06-$75 mail-in rebate), considering if you use the "cash and points" option to reserve a room, 10,000 points cost $70.

I've already got a booking in mind for these points, but I'm anxiously awaiting the next Point Breaks list to see if my hotel is on it. (Update 7/31: The new list was posted! Unfortunately, nothing I can use this time, but maybe next time.)

Since these new points bumped up to more than 20,000, I now have status! Not that it really means anything to me at this point.

It takes 15 nights OR 20,000 points to move up to the Gold Elite, which comes with additional benefits such as Priority Check-In and 10% bonus earning on top of base points. Of course, Platinum is where I'd really like to be (because it comes with complimentary upgrades), but I doubt I'll get there.

Priority Club points posted

Woo hoo! I received 7,330 points for my recent mattress run at the Candlewood Suites. I am still expecting 6,000-10,000 more points from some other PC promotions I signed up for. The good thing about these points is that they never expire.

So how can I use these points?

One option for using points is on Priority Club PointBreaks, which are reward nights priced at 5,000 points at selected hotels for a limited period of time, instead of the standard redemption rate.  Priority Club PointBreaks Reward Nights are based on availability and PointBreaks locations may be added or deleted at any time.

Priority Club Rewards "Points & Cash" is another option for obtaining a reward night. You can redeem Priority Club points for a reward night in three ways: using your existing points for all required points for the desired reward night; using your existing points and 5,000 points purchased for $40 to total the required points; or using your existing points and 10,000 points purchased for $70 to total the required points.

IHG hotels include Candlewood Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Crowne Plaza, Intercontinental and Hotel Indigo. Reward nights range from 10,000 to 50,000 points per night at locations worldwide.

If you’re interested in taking advantage of any PC bonus point earning opportunities here’s a good list of the current promotions.

My first mattress run

I recently completed my first of four planned “mattress run” hotel stays. A mattress run is a trip with the sole purpose of getting hotel points or taking advantage of a promotion. With a mattress run, you book a cheap hotel night, and in return you'll earn something far more valuable. Often times, people don’t even stay the night at the hotel.

Reasons why I booked this particular stay

• I am trying to meet the required spend ($3,000 in three months) on my Chase Sapphire Preferred card by the end of the month, so I can get 50,000 Ultimate Rewards points that I will redeem for future airfare or hotel stays.
• I signed up for a number of stackable Priority Club Rewards promotions that should net me a few thousand points for this stay.
• IHG Vacation Pay promotion $75 prepaid Master card

My stay at the Candlewood Suites near the Dallas Galleria

I selected the cheapest hotel that came up when I searched—it just so happened to be five minutes from my job, so it was easy to swing by and check-in after work on Friday.

At check-in the clerk thanked me for being a Priority Club Rewards member and handed me a welcome bag which included a bottled water, a package of Belvita breakfast biscuits and Axe hair gel. I was invited to spin the wheel for a prize and I won a $5 gift certificate to the Candlewood Cupboard (little convenience store inside the hotel where you pay using the honor system), which I redeemed for a small bag of Cheetos, peanuts and a bottle of orange juice.

The room itself was nothing special, but it was clean. Since this is an extended stay hotel, there was a small kitchen area with refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop and microwave. 

There was a small desk, chair, tube TV and VCR/DVD player (DVDs were available at the front desk to borrow). 

Though I booked a stay for Friday and Saturday night, I only slept there on Saturday night. The bed was comfortable, and I slept well. The bathroom was clean and offered plenty of towels.

My total with taxes came to $131.06. I submitted the $75 mail-in rebate, which will bring my out of pocket expenses to $56.06. I expect to acquire a few thousand PC reward points through the promotions I signed up for, such as signing up for text messages.

Since I booked the reservation through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards Mall for 4 points per dollar, I should get an additional 524 UR points, plus the Sapphire offers 2x points (262) on travel, for a total of 786 UR points. I'm happy with that!