YES! I just saw on facebook that PointBreaks is out and doesn’t suck!
It’s actually one of the best lists in a while and the sale of IHG points is tomorrow on Daily Getaways! So we have a lot to go over.
What is PointBreaks?
It’s where Priority Club, aka IHG, list a number of hotels that can be had for 5,000 points. Some of them are 35,000 points a night normally. They are limited availability and are only good for two months. So this list is good for booking now until Aug 31st.
The hot picks on PointBreaks
Now all bookable here.
- InterContinental Aqaba (Resort Aqaba)
- InterContinental Dar Al Hijra Madinah
- InterContinental Athenaeum Athens
- InterContinental Bucharest
- InterContinental Phnom Penh
- InterContinental Asiana Saigon
- InterContinental Chongqing
- InterContinental Medellin
- InterContinental Real San Jose-Costa Rica
- InterContinental Real Guatemala
- InterContinental Real Tegucigalpa
- Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu
… and a fair amount of Crowne Plaza hotels.
Tell me this isn’t the best list in a while? Don’t get me wrong, the IC Hong Kong isn’t on the list but there are still more IC hotels than ever. And many of them are 5 star hotels, like the IC Saigon.
Here’s the deal
On June 28th and July 1st, they are selling Priority Club points on DailyGetaways. Essentially you can buy 5,000 points for $28.25 when using an Amex Card ($31.50 without an Amex).
Here’s the dilema
The nice hotels sell out quick and I’m not sure how long it takes the points to post. If you see something you want, grab it now if you have the points. If not, buy on the 28th date. Fortunately I don’t see too many that will sell out in the first day. Actually, I think most of these will last til July 1st even. But it’s just a guess. Hopefully the other bloggers won’t post about this. :-p
Suddenly the IHG on DailyGetaways sounds like a good idea.
One last tip, it may be wise to check availability on rewards in general before buying. And if you’re checking on July 1st, make sure it’s still on the PointBreaks list.
Hey Drew! I got excited about this post but then remembered that Cash+Points gets about the same return (~$30/night on Pointbreaks rooms). I know you’ve said before that you don’t prefer the Cash+Points method. Is that because it feels a little abusive since you’re “returning” the purchase?
Assuming that I agree, and go for 50k points through Dailygetaways with the hope of using them on a week-long stay in Costa Rica, let’s say, the two big questions to answer are (1) Does the hotel have a weeklong block available for purchase with points, and (2) Will I be able to get a decent points flight with such short notice?
#2 is what concerns me. The little award flight booking I’ve done (outside of Southwest) has shown just how much of a pain it can be to find decent or discounted routing, even months in advance!
Thanks!
Hey Michael!
Well, a few things.
1) The prices were raised on Cash & Points so it’s $35-$40 for 5,000 points using this method.
2) I used to not prefer it because you could earn elite status by buying points but now that’s gone. But it’s still a little abusive and mostly
3) They have shut down accounts. I think it’s rare. I don’t know anyone who has had an account shut down but I heard.
But mostly, it’s still cheaper with daily getaways.
So in terms of availability, IC hotels will get taken off of the PointBreaks list first. They only give so many rooms to PointBreaks I guess… But as long as their is an award room and it’s on the PB list, you can have it for 5k. I have booked week long chunks using points/Point Breaks. I’m sure it’s possible but go ahead and check if you can get a stay at that hotel with points on the dates you want. And when it switches over to 5k book it.
In regards to #2. Total depends on what kind of points your using and when/where you’re going. Points to Europe in summer when you’re only booking in june… not a good idea (although I’ll book a last minute). Using United miles to San Jose a month out for August is looking like an entire month of daily flights available.
I mean there is so much to say about that… But I personally have only had a problem getting somewhere with miles once, and it was to Chile in peak season and I still got there, just 12 hours later than my friend. There are a few tools to help find seats, which I should do a post about.
Also, rooms are cancelable. So if you don’t find seats, well you’re stuck with the points but not the room.
Very cool, thanks! I just make make use of this. Dumb question, but- do these point nights earn you any points? I’m registered for a bunch of promotions but haven’t made my 1st stay yet w/IHG.
Unfortunately points stays do not earn more points. However, starting yesterday they do count toward elite status.
Great catch Drew. Interestingly, the IGH links from Friday on Daily Getways are still showing “limited availability.” (unlike the Choice promos on Thursday which sold out very fast) So I bought 15k for starters today (Saturday).
I didn’t catch at first that the IGH promo was only good for two months… (and as such, I can see why a lot of the participating international properties are in scorch zones next two months….. and so that goes) Interesting mix of participating properties, including quite a few here in central virginia. Availability of the 5k rate also appears to be very good.
Bottom line: $30 a night… Wowser. May get more tomorrow.
Yea, there are definitely a lot of packages of IHG points on DailyGetaways and I knew they wouldn’t sell out on either date. So plenty of opportunity to buy.
And it’s definitely short notice and only two months at a time. Which makes it good for last minute getaways only, but sometimes the deals are awesome. But you’re right about one thing. Usually these hotels on the list are going to be undersold for a reason. I mean, I imagine the Athens hotel needs a boost right now. So award availability is really good.
There are sometimes hotels that don’t need help. Like we visited the InterContinental Fiji when it was going for $500 a night for 5,000 points! Quite a deal and when we checked in, they said they were on high occupancy.
Note that it does take a while for points to post and I’m not sure how long any of these hotels will last. The less desirable the longer.