InterContinental Offers Bonuses for Summer Stays

As the economy revives and consumers ratchet up their traveler spending, hoteliers will gradually scale back the unprecedented two-year-long run of continuous hotel promotions. At least that's the theory. With such a scenario in mind, I've been monitoring the end dates of recent offers from the major hotel chains, looking for signs that hotel marketers are finally ready to cut back on bonus points, free nights, and other sales incentives.

Hilton's current promotion is only in place through June 30. But Starwood's latest offer applies to stays through July 31, and Best Western's is in place through August 31.

Apparently confirming that hotel promotions will continue at least through the summer months, the new offer from InterContinental will also run through August 31.

Offer Details

Between May 14 and August 31, Priority Club Rewards members can earn one of the two following bonuses for stays at InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Express by Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and Candlewood Suites hotels:

• Double Priority Club points or airline miles for the second and subsequent stays. (Bonus takes effect with the first stay at Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.)
• A $50 gift card for the second and subsequent weekend stays, up to a maximum of $500. A weekend stay is either Friday or Saturday night. The gift cards are good at over 300 retailers.

Program members must register to receive one bonus or the other, but not both.

Deal or No Deal

The qualification hurdle—two stays by August 31—is reasonable, especially compared to competing offers. Among other current hotel promotions, Hilton's bonus requires four stays, and Best Western's requires three, as does Starwood's.

Double points or miles is a nice bonus, if an unspectacular one.

And at face value, the $50 gift card potentially represents a hefty rebate on the cost of a weekend stay. The usual caveat with gift cards applies: Be sure to confirm it can be used at a retailer you would choose to patronize; and redeem it before it expires.

Reader Reality Check

Have you taken advantage of the recent hotel promotions? Do you plan to take advantage of this one?