1. Tim Lai Points to be Made www.pointstobemade.com

2.  Why bother with IHG? (5 mins)  Tier levels, Ambassador (10-15 mins)  Collecting points (5 mins)  Spending points (5 mins)  Other discounts and tricks (10-15 mins)  Final warning notes on IHG (2-3mins)  Q&A Feel free to ask questions any time!

3.  11 different brands globally  5 main ones you’ll see

4.  Pros ◦ Large network of hotels ◦ Fairly cheap globally ◦ Loyalty programme easy to understand ◦ Easy to ‘travel hack’  Cons ◦ Not greatest earn/burn ratio, though still ok ◦ Call centre agents have variable ability - Philippines ◦ Member benefits not guaranteed on award stays

6.  Club — 0 nights/ 0 stays per year  Gold — 15 nights/ 20 000 EQP ◦ OR 3 brands + 10 nights  Platinum — 50 nights/ 60 000 EQP ◦ OR 4 brands + 40 nights if address in USA/EU ◦ OR 3 brands + 40 nights if address in Middle East/Asia/Oceania ◦ Everything above 50 nights rolled over!

7.  [Picture removed. For participants only! ]

9.  Changing country of residence

11.  In reality… Don’t get your hopes up.

12.  In reality… Not much more than gold!  Upgrade chances are a little higher, but don’t expect suites. ◦ Maybe 10-20% you might get a substantial upgrade

13.  Qualifying points = 10 points/USD ◦ Other currencies need to convert to USD  Gold members earn a 10% bonus  Platinum members earn a 50% bonus

14.  Award stays count towards qualifying nights!  Points do not expire

15.  Automatic Gold IHG  Upgrade confirmed at check in  2 nd weekend night free voucher  5000 points on joining and renewal  1 st year 200USD or 32k points  2 nd year 150USD, 25k points,  200USD inc. 10k points and 10% rebate on Intercontinental stays

16. Requirements:  Must be Ambassador first!  60 nights per year  20 in Intercontinental  3 different Intercontinental Hotels

17. Benefits:  Free minibar (to an extent!)  IHG Rewards Club Platinum status

18. Categories of hotels  Cat 1 – 10000 points  Cat 2 – 15000 points  Cat 3 – 20000 points  Cat 4 – 25000 points  Cat 5 – 30000 points  Cat 6 – 35000 points  Cat 7 – 40000 points  Cat 8 – 45000 points  Cat 9 – 50000 points

20.  Category 1 — $70  Category 2 — $105  Category 3 — $140  Category 4 — $175  Category 5 — $210  Category 6 — $245  Category 7 — $280  Category 8 — $315  Category 9 — $350 Excluding opportunity cost of incoming points

21.  “You may choose to redeem IHG ® Rewards 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 $40USD to total the required points; or using your existing points and 10,000 points purchased for $70USD to total the required points. The total purchase on any single day may not exceed $280USD.”

22.  Get at least 5000 points ◦ Buy them if necessary  Find any Category 2 hotel ◦ Use Slough, United Kingdom  Book a Reward Night very far into the future ◦ Check T&C carefully to ensure flexibility of points  Cancel reservation. You should have extra 10000 points. ◦ May take 20-30 mins for the points to come back

23.  $70 per 10 000 points trick

24.  Friends and Family rate – 30% off ◦ bit.ly/IHGJennifer ◦ Does not get points or EQP  Best Rate Guarantee ◦ bit.ly/IHG-brg ◦ 1 st night free ◦ Tricky to get right ◦ T&C keep changing (latest 8 th September 2014) ◦ Get someone to show you first.

25. Current rules:  Claim online within 24h of booking and 24h of check in  Description of room MUST BE IDENTICAL!!!  Watch out for auxiliary fees  Watch out for currency conversions  Price difference must be >1% or $1

26.  I have saved around €1200 in 3 uses  I know someone who saved over £30k!

28.  They WILL close accounts ◦ Duplicate details ◦ If you stay, or have an address in China ◦ “Abuse the system” – their discretion, not yours!

29. If you enjoyed the talks today, or even my blog, please consider using the affiliate links bit.ly/amexgoldnl

30.  Any questions?  Feedback always welcome  Contact me any time: info@pointstobemade.com