Priority Club Rewards Program

[GF]

I do agree with kwaustin that PC is a great program, and likely the best one.

But, it can stand some improvement.  Improvement won't happen if we just act as their water carriers, and not point out areas that can be improved.

[JBa]

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GF wrote:

I do agree with kwaustin that PC is a great program, and likely the best one.

But, it can stand some improvement.  Improvement won't happen if we just act as their water carriers, and not point out areas that can be improved.

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I full heartedly agree with you. 

PCR and IHG had / have issues with their website and it's been pointed out here numerous times. I even stated to Carolyn that it was foolish from PCR to launch a survey about their website while they are still having problems.

The issue that we are discussing here in this thread, I do see different than you. Maybe the word "bonus" might not be the best way describing extra points that you pay for. But it's common terminology that you see on many other websites.

Please don't ask me to list the website that use that word. I think you are web savvy enough to find them yourself.   

[agn]

Interesting thread, once we got off the insults. The reason these point are called BONUS points, is likely because one already gets points for any IHG stay, based on the price you pay. These 'extra' points are unexpected (one of the definitions of Bonus) So, getting more points for a higher rate is always the case. What the buyer must weigh is whether it is worth the extra cost to get these points. Its the reverse of the Points plus cash analysis that we all do. At one rate you get points. Period At the higher rate, you get points, you get extra points (expected), but at certain hotels, at certain times, you get BONUS points (unexpected).

[agn]

... and as JBa has pointed out, the use of the word "any" merely refers to the fact that the bonus is paid out on a one-night stay, as opposed to some bonuses which require a multi-night, or specific-night (ie, sunday, or weeke-end) stay.

[CaroReed]

Hi Everyone - 

I'd like to interject if I may

Firstly, you all should know that the feedback that we receive in this forum is invaluable! I'm constantly funneling your feedback to the various internal teams at IHG because your input is very important to us. More often than not, you all have suggestions/comments of things that we've never thought of because your perspective of our business is so different. Something that might seem clear and straight forward to us, might not be because we're not using it day-in and day-out like you are.

On that note, I wanted to say that I understand the confusion regarding the bonus points packages and whether or not it's an actual bonus if you have to pay for them. Especially since we use the term interchangeably ie: promotions like "Double Points/Double Miles" vs. the Bonus Points Package (BPP) program. The "bonus" component for BPP is derived from the idea that the points are an added bonus on top of the base points that you would normally earn. Similar to our other value-added packages, the value-add could be breakfast, concert tickets, etc. The rate is higher for those packages because there is added value. Also similar to Delta Skymiles Award Builder, a program that allows you to purchase more miles for your flights at an added cost. It's a value-add bonus because you're earning more than the base miles while paying for them. 

I hope this helps clear a few questions - and thank you for your continued feedback

Carolyn

Priority Club Connect Community Manager

[agn]

exactly what I said carolyn. What a smart lass.

[Yarnam]

Well this is kind of an odd thread for my first post but I figure I might as well just jump in I do not understand people who come on here and blast IHG. It is their forums!!! They provide them for people who want to know more about the program and its promotions. I am sure the IHG people don't mind constructive criticism such as the people in this thread who do not like the use of the word "bonus", but to come on here and call them (IHG) a fraud is just inappropriate. There are plenty of forums around this interweb thingy where points collectors gather, head over there to rant and rave about them. I think the pount of this forum is healthy conversation about the program/promotions and maybe some constructive criticism so that they may improve the program. Just my 2 cents.

[GF]

Carolyn - 

By now, most of us on the community here know what "bonus" means in regard to this discussion of paying extra for more points.   However,  this is not necessarily clear for PC members not on this community board, or for those trying to get this bonus for the first time.    The fact that multiple people did not understand how it works at first means that it probably is not very clear.    I'm assuming that people who are frequent travelers are fairly intelligent, and not mentally deficient .   So, if a reasonably intelligent group can misunderstand it, it likely needs to be re-worded and explained more clearly on the reservation page.

 Obviously the word "bonus" is causing the confusion.   The fact that you had to take an entire paragraph to explain what IHG means by the word "bonus"  says something.    How a company defines a word should never need an entire paragraph.   I'd go even further and say that IHG should not be using  any words that require a separate definition of the word.    

Can we all agree that the word "bonus" is the main root of the confusion here? 

If so, can we agree that it needs to change to something else?

Can we agree that there would be no confusion or ambiguity if IHG simply listed the extra points as something  such as ,  "Extra points available for small extra fee",  or some similar phrase ?

Whatever the new phrasing,  there is certainly a better way than calling it a "bonus." 

Thanks  for your attention to this, Carolyn.   And, thanks for passing it on to IHG.

Thanks.

Glenn

[agn]

"Can we agree that there would be no confusion or ambiguity if IHG simply listed the extra points as something such as , "Extra points available for small extra fee", or some similar phrase ? " GF its a marketing issue. Your slogan is honest, but is as a appealing as yesterday's mashed potatoes. By calling it a Bonus, it made you look. That is the point. Not honesty, not truth, just a a gimmick to make you look.

[agn]

Kind of like "New" "Improved". Or, if you think about this site "Reply" or "Quick Reply", in this case "Quick Reply" is no different than "Reply", but when you are in a hurry, feel free to use Quick Reply.