The Michael W Travels family got back from an awesome visit to Costa Rica a few days back.
On the way home we had to spend a night in Philadelphia before heading back to NYC. This was kind of annoying but not the biggest deal considering the cost of our flight.
To cover the cost of our hotel stay, we booked a room using Kim’s IHG Free Night.
In years past, we’ve used IHG Free Nights in Muscat, Oman, the new EVEN Hotel in NYC, the InterContinental Times Square and many others.
After checking into our airport hotel in Philly on New Years Eve, I mentioned to Kim how I was surprised that the hotel didn’t offer us some sort of amenity or points for being a Platinum member. However, the friendly girl at the desk was super-busy and by herself so I didn’t really think much more about it.
On Tuesday Kim forwarded me an e-mail that she received from IHG. The subject was “You have received welcome amenity points“.
Kim’s account had 500 points deposited for being an IHG Platinum Elite member! (The e-mail mentions how they were deposited by the Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Airport.)
I always found it odd how IHG awards a welcome amenity of points for free nights but we’ll take it. 500 points might not seem like much but every little bit counts!
Michael- Interesting…. And no other welcome gift- free drink cert, etc… Sounds like the Westin stepped up to make you feel appreciated as a guest. BTW- Happy Bday!
I stayed at the Osaka, Japan Intercontinental on 12/24 using the Free Chase Night but did not receive these points or any mention of a welcome gift. This was the 3rd annual free night I used and I don’t believe I’ve received any kind of welcome gift before.
Although the hotel is incredible, I was actually a bit disappointed that they didn’t notice my birthday was 3 days later. The Westin Kyoto did 2 days earlier and sent me a small birthday cake to my room with candles!
DaninMCI- Valid points and these point bonuses as small as they seem are definitely a nice little rebate!
I agree. I’d say let’s not make a big deal out of this as IHG might figure out that these are given out on award nights. With the IHG credit card you get 10% back on points use. That means that if you book a 5,000 points break room and get a 500 point 10% back AND you get 500 in welcome points you get that room for 4,000 points. Not a better deal around I think. This doesn’t even include the free chase night each year for the $49 annual fee.