- memoflores / Foter / CC BY-NC
If you have read my book (and if you haven’t, I’ll just tell you, that’s the kind of guy I am) you already know about the loyalty program IHG Rewards Club that operates such hotels as InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crown Plaza, etc. You also know that this program has a fantastic benefit called PointBreaks, whereas every several months they release the list hotels all over the world that they sell for 5,000 points a night–subject to availability.
You might also remember that there is a trick to get those points at $7 for 1000 points while the original price is $13.50. You may find this trick troublesome, though, perhaps it entails booking then canceling your reservation. Takes just about 15 minutes of your time but still…
Now there is a better deal. Point.com runs a special (presumably until August 31) where you can get twice the points for the money. It’s supposed to be a targeted offer, but a lot of folks I know are getting it. You will need to go to Point.com to see if you get the special. You have to be registered for the IHG Rewards Club first, and yes it is completely free.
Normally, buying points works like this:
- 1,000 – 10,000 points for $13.50 per 1,000 points
- 11,000 – 25,000 points for $12.50 per 1,000 points
- 26,000 – 60,000 points for $11.50 per 1,000 points
From now until Aug 31, it’s going to work like this:
- 1,000 – 10,000 points for $13.50 per 2,000 points
- 11,000 – 25,000 points for $12.50 per 2,000 points
- 26,000 – 60,000 points for $11.50 per 2,000 points
In other words, 20,000 points, or 4 nights at a PointBreak hotel will cost you $135. 30,000 points or 6 nights — $187.50. 50,000 points or 10 nights $312.50.
There is and has always been one problem, though. A lot of folks run fast and unconscionably book rooms just in case. And this is first come, first get special. They allocate only so many rooms at this rate, so the most popular destinations get sold out quickly. However, now we (you and I) have a secret weapon. Somehow, these connected folks have managed to get the list before it actually gets published on Mon, Aug 26. So you actually stand a very good chance to get the hotel of your choice if you go there before everybody else. Well, maybe…
So, what’s in the offerings? Some great choices actually. You will find two InterContinentals in Amman, Jordan and Kiev, Ukraine. You’ve always wanted to see Petra, right? And the rates in Kiev, which is a gorgeous city and the weather is usually great until late September, only begin at 300 Euro. There are also hotels in India, Izrael, Germany, Thailand, Austria, Costa Rica, and Dominican Republic to name just a few, and an extensive list of the hotels all over the United States. The eligible dates are from Aug 26 to Oct 31 (but again, book early, you can always cancel later), so if any of those hotels strike your fancy, then register for the IHG program and go to Point.com to see if you’re eligible for the discount.
But please, please, please! Don’t book just for the sake of booking if you have no intention of going. As I’ve said before, you’d just be killing this deal for the next guy/gal who could really use a break.
Good luck!
