InterContinental Hotels Group has announced
that they are changing the name of their loyalty program from Priority Club
(ironically the 30th anniversary of Priority Club is this year) to IHG Rewards
Club. There aren’t a lot of details yet on the new program but the announcement
page has put out a couple of teasers of what you can expect from the new IHG
Rewards Club program:
1. Free Internet worldwide for all members in 2014 but starts early for Gold
and Platinum elite members in July 2013. A nice new benefit especially when
2014 hits for the non-elites. While most of IHG’s lower end brands (HI, HI Express)
offer free Internet, its the higher end brands like InterContinental where you
can really get dinged. So it makes sense to join the program even just for the
free Internet if you will have IHG stays in 2014
2. Fast Track to elite status when you stay in two or more IHG brands. No
details on this yet. In the past it used to be quite easy to earn status with
Priority Club as all points earned counted towards status but that changed earlier
this year and this is probably why this new feature will come into play.
3. Like SPG and Hilton , IHG Rewards Nights will now count towards Elite Membership
status
4. Like Marriott, nights earned beyond your highest elite level will count towards
Platinum Elite status in the following year.
The new program will become live in July and once more details are released
I will pass these along to you. I know many FFB readers are big time
Priority Club players so I’d love hear your initial thoughts on the change!
