That's an excellent idea. I'll have to keep that in mind. I assume you found that under "ultimate experiences." I have almost always used my points for AI resort vacations, but that sounds like a good deal too. Thanks for the tip!

Amanda,

I usually use my points to take an all inclusive resort vacation once a year. I have been visiting IHG properties. So far, I have been to: Montego Bay, Jamaica; Ixtapa, Mexico; and Los Cabos, Mexico (CP & IC). I have a reservation for the property in Aruba this winter. There are other properties in the Caribbean and Mexico, although I think these are the only ones that are AI.

If you go to the IHG site and enter Mexico or Caribbean for the country, the properties will come up that I listed above and copied here. So far, I have been to: Montego Bay, Jamaica; Ixtapa, Mexico; and Los Cabos, Mexico (CP & IC). I have a reservation for the property in Aruba this winter. There are other properties in the Caribbean and Mexico, although I think these are the only ones that are AI.

Here is a link (hope it works) to my favorite one that I have visited. Los Cabos CP

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/pc/1/en/hotel/sjdmx?rpb=hotel&crUrl=/h/d/pc/1/e n/hotelsearchresults

The CP in Los Cabos?? Wow ~ are you lucky! I was happy and impressed to go there for 35,000 points a night. We visited the IC down the road too, but we liked the CP better.

If you are planning a trip, enjoy yourself! We liked it so much, we will be going there again.

To All-

Yes they are...tourism is still down in Mexico and the deals are abundant. To find out why, learn more with links provided.

1. Health Related

2. Prepare for a trip

3. Mexico 50% off Reward Nights until December

4. 5,000 Reward Nights thread

5. Video post about Mexico deals and offers

Enjoy and Stay Safe,

Amanda Kehoe

For an inclusive resosrt in the US check out Montelucia in Scottsdale, AZ.

Weather should be cooling down soon and prices will go up. I was there in March,

lovely location, ultra luxe spa.  See if there are

promotions for the hotel.  When I was there,  i got  a $300 credit to be used for anything and  15,000 bonus

for staying three nights.

I actually prepare my blogs on word and copy pics into the text and they look fine. But when I copy the finished document to my blog  the pics disappear. Strange.

I use points for rooms.

I  build points by using  the Visa PC card,  by participating in the dining club and following up on promotions as there is always something new.

Hi Kathy ~

That is how I use my points as well. We have been to Montego Bay, Ixtapa, and Los Cabos. In Mexico, we liked Los Cabos better. We are planning on Cancun after Aruba. You can not do much ocean swimming or snorkeling at either Mexico resort; however, there are other options nearby. In Ixtapa, we took a public bus and then a water taxi to an island offshore where we snorkeled and hung out at the beach for the day. I do not recall the name of the island because it's been a few years. We found out the information at the hotel while we were there. The water in Ixtapa is somewhat calmer than the water in Los Cabos; however, the area in Los Cabos is newer and nicer. In Los Cabos, we also took public transportation to Cabo San Lucas, where there is a lot to do. We did not snorkel there; however, there are beaches and snorkel tours you can book, or water taxis from town that you can take to snorkel spots. There is not really anything in the evening that you can walk to in Ixtapa or Los Cabos; much like Jamaica, except the atmosphere is safer. We liked Jamaica; however, I agree with what you said about being stuck at the resort.

Hi Ronald, IrisTina suggested I tell you about Montego Bay as we were just there this past July.

First off when you get to the airport, do not get a taxi inside, they are time share traps.  Just go outside and there will be local taxis lined up, airport employess will call one over for you.  Make sure you ask if they have working a/c in their car!!

The hotel is grounds are employees are great.  Though they are not allowed to accept tips, tipping will get you great service. The first day we were there for breakfast, we tipped our waiter and the rest of the time we were treated like royalty!  He would see us coming and no matter how busy they were, he found us a table and brought us our drinks.  He remembered what each of drank for each meal and brought it to us without asking.  Everyone there was very friendly!  There were a lot of things we weren't told and learned along the way so I will try to give you as much infor as I can remember.  We did find much later if you go to the little room across from the pool tables where they book the tours, she will give you a briefing on what to do and how things work at the hotel.  One VERY important thing we learned is about the taxis and shopping.  We made the mistake of hiring one of there taxis that sit outside the hotel.  They say they are the only taxis you should use on the island.  It cost us $70 to go into town to a little mall strip of stores.  The driver stopped at a "craft market" but he did warn us it was different.  The craft markets are like flea markets but, they beg, a lot!  The pull you into their stores, it was a scary experience.  A crafter pulled my son away from me and tied a bracelet on his arm and then told me I had to pay for it.  I said no and he grabbed him again and tried to get it off, when he couldn't, he go mad and told us to leave. My son is 12 and he was very scared by the whole experience.  We left quickly and the cab driver said he doesn't usually stop there but I asked him to thinking it was a flea market.  The craft markets are not a pleasant experience.  They will bring crafters to the hotel a few nights a week and you can buy from them then, you can usually end up getting things for half of what they ask.  We bought a few items at the mini mall but it was not worth the $70 trip and we only had a llittle over an hour to shop when we went because they close early.  So back to the little tour guide place across from the pool tables...the desk in the back right corner is for AAA members, they run specials and  you can get a nice discount, make sure you take you card if you have one.  I told her how we paid for the taxi and she said we were crazy, you can book a shopping day trip with them which is what we did.  It was nice, they took us to several shopping areas and to a buffet lunch. Lunch wasn't that good but the shopping and scenery was nice and cost us half of what the taxi did and we got to see a lot of the island.  Also, there is a free hourly shuttle to Rose Hall shopping.  It is very pretty there but mostly high end stores like jewelry and things.  It is much more expensive than the other shops.  There is nowhere to eat there, just a few stores.  We went for an hour just to get out of the hotel for a while.

There is a desk in the middle of the lobby where you can book trips.  You don't want to do that there however, that is also where you sign up for dinner reservations.  You want to do that as soon as you get there!  They will let you book a few days in advance and they give you a pass for the reservation.  The buffet gets very old quickly so make as many reservations as you can!.  The men were allowed to wear dress shirts but a collared shirt is must and no sandals for the men. The food at the buffet is not very good.  We lived on chicken and salad.  And, if you like ketchup, bring your own bottle! Not kidding!  They have this horrible, sweet, pink ketchup, nothing like you have ever eaten.  Another visitor told us they bring their own ketchup from home when they come.  Also, take some cheap insulated cups with you for drinks.  We got some at the dollar store at home and then left them there.  They give you little cups and drinks melt quickly in the heat.  Once you get there you will see many people have cups but you can't buy them there.

When we say stuck at the hotel, that is what you are unless you pay to go somewhere.  There is nowhere to walk to except for some shops across the street. It gives you an eerie kind of feeling when you go there.  I would never have gone without my husband and he said he felt very unconfortable there.  We did walk over there to get cold medicine at the little pharmacy because they are much, much cheaper than the hotel.  They make you sign in and out at the securtiy booth in the parking lot before you go.  We did buy a bunch of stuff over there but be prepared to comfronted with beggars when you get there.  Other than walking across the street, there is absolutely nowhere else you can go.  There is no shopping/restaurant strip like Aruba.  At night you watch there is some poolside entertainment but little else to do.

The water is nice, very shallow though.  The best part was the snorkeling right there at the little island!  I suggest bringing your own snorkel gear as theirs is only rinsed in water and you are limited to an hour of use.  If you buy it there at the gift shop as many do, you will pay a fortune.  Also, take a banana or 2 each day from the buffet for the fish!  When you go out to snorkle at the island you won't see many fish, once you start breaking up that banana, they come from everywhere!  Some lilttle ones will eat the banana our of your hand!  My son spent his days there feeding the fish, it was awesome!  Make sure you bring an underwater camera!  There are crafters that come out on boats during the day.  They are super friendly locals, we bought a lot from there too!  My husband dropped our expensive water camera down in the rocks of the island and considered it a loss.  I offered them $20 to get it and they went out of their way to use what they had to get it out.  They saved my camera and all my memories!  Rupert is the oldest local there and very nice.  He will tell you where it is safe in the water if you go out farthere.  He warned me that my son was going into drop off zone!

We stayed with points and we are Platinum members.  Our first room was not very nice, we asked for an upgrade and complained to the manager.  He said if we would stay there the first night, he would "hook us up" the next day.  We were moved the second day to a very nice room with towel swans and flower petals on the bed!  Very nice!  If you want to email me, I can send you pictures.  kdetman@aol.com  I have lots of pictures of my son with the locals on the boats, he became fast friends with them!

Jamaica is just not for everyone.  It is a very poor island, unlike the others we've been too.  Though it was pretty, we did not feel safe outside of the hotel grounds.  We would not return, there are too many other beautiful places to go that you can feel safe.  I was warned by family members who have been there before but we had to see it for ourselves.  If you've never been to Aruba, I would highly suggest it!  If you want info on there, I'd be happy to help you with that too!  I hope I didn't write too much, just wanted you to know what to expect when you get there.

Have a safe and happy trip!

Kathy

When you mentioned " stuck in the Hotel In Jamaica" I wonder which Hotel if The HI I have been requesting information on this Hotel elsewhere.

When you book using your points, you are automatically all inclusive!  The best part is there are 2 different kinds of AI.  The one that most people get don't cover everything.  Like in the restaurant, the more expensive dinners have a premium you have to pay.  With the AI you get as being priority club, you don't pay for anything extra!!!

As far as nightlife, we went with our son so we didn't party.  There are places all along the strip though and there are always the party buses that pick you up along the strip and take you places.  You can't miss them, they are brightly colore, playing loud music, and have have screaming drunks hanging out of them!!!

Kathy

.

I just called them because I didn't want to give you wrong information in case that policy had changed.  She said yes, it is

an all inclusive rate for 2 people.  We always take my son and they would say I had to pay an extra $35 a day because he was not included, I have not been charged yet!  When are you planning on goin?  We are going on vacation in July but are debating between Aruba and Mexico.

Yes, alcohol is included at all the ai locations.

I wanted to tell you too, make sure you take long pants and a collared shirt for the better restaurants.  You are allowed to wear jeans and a polo or button down shirt.  No sandals for the men so you have to wear tennis or dress shoes. The first time went there, we were told men could wear dress shorts.  My husband had on a polo, nice dress shorts, and nice shoes.  They wouldn't let him but they let in a guy that looked like a *** with ripped up holey jeans.  They said it didn't matte they were long pants!  Also make sure to take a couple cheap insulated cups for drinks.  They give you little plastic cups and everything melts quickly.  They have no problem filling your own cup.  We usually just buy them at the dollar store that way we don't have to bring them home.  If you buy them there, you will pay a lot.

Kinda surprised nobody's mentioned the ANY HOTEL, ANYWHERE cards...

59k points -> $250 'gift card' to pay your folios -> fresh points & bonuses !!

Of course, you have to do your homework    but I can recall very few times when burning straight points was the 'better deal' -- thankyou PointBreaks !!

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Welcome aboard!

Lots of us here on the board, love these cards since their introduction in 2005..  :  )

Here are a couple of threads you might enjoy reading..

How do you use your Priority Club Points?

Quadruple Points Anyone?

Enjoy,

Amanda Kehoe