I’ve written about this promotion many times, but in case you’ve missed it or need a reminder, you only have week left to hand-write your notecards to earn approximately 50,000 IHG points. You can read more about the promotion at these prior posts:
- Spend $46 and Earn at Least 47,000 IHG Points
- Preparing for LOTS of IHG Points *** if there is one post you are going to read, let it be this one!
- 1 Million IHG Points for a Single Postcard
- IHG “Surprises” Update + FAQs
- IHG “Surprises” is Working + Answers to YOUR Questions
Promotion Recap:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is running a promotion where you can earn a “surprise” prize with every hotel stay. But… since this is a giveaway, you can also enter by simply mailing in an entry (from the comfort of your couch) and forgo actually staying at an IHG hotel. Every entry will earn you a minimum of 500 points with some prizes being much bigger. That means, if you earn 500 points for every prize, you’ll walk away with 47,000 points. From the many reports I’ve read, you’ll most likely earn a few prizes that are worth 1,000, 2,000, or 5,000 points. So if you take that into consideration and average out most people’s winnings, assume approximately 50,000 points.
My Experience:
I submitted all 94 entries throughout November and December. I’ve since received all my prizes and won the following: (1) $50 MasterCard gift card, (3) 1,000 point bonuses, (1) 5,000 point bonus and (89) 500 point bonuses for a grand total of 52,500 points. My total cost was approximately $50 for the stamps, envelopes, and notecards, but… I also won a $50 MasterCard so that offset the price. It also took me approximately 3-4 hours of time. I actually went so far to write the postcards for my husband, my mom, and my dad! So 376 postcards in total! Since their postcards were submitted later than mine, they have not all received all their prize emails. But, I am confident that they will all come in within the next few weeks.
Some Key Things to Know:
- REGISTER FOR THIS PROMOTION! If they receive your entires prior to registration then you most likely will NOT earn the points. You can register here.
- All entries must be postmarked by February 15, 2016. BUT… That Monday is a federal holiday, so make sure that your entries are stamped THIS SATURDAY February 13th. This means DO NOT put them in the mail box Saturday night, Sunday, or even Monday. Thanks to the many readers for pointing this out!
- All entires will win a minimum of 500 points. Assume you’ll earn that number of points per entry and if you win anything higher consider it a bonus!
- All entires MUST be handwritten. However, envelopes can have labels or run through the printer.
- All entires must be sent separately. DO NOT send one envelope with all 94 entires.
Aside from opening up a credit card, this has been one of the easiest ways I’ve earned points in quite some time. While your hand might be sore at the end of the day, I totally think it is worth it!
The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Put in a small test run in December and never received the emails – can’t justify the time and $ if I won’t get any points.
Picked up 100,000+ IHG points between me and wife. Worth it to me! Jeff
I sent out in mid-November and I got my emails in mid-January. I had my doubts too, but it will take time. I just sent out my last batches this week.
I sent in all 94 entries in early December. As of today (now 3 months later), I’ve only received 11 emails. I think IHG and HelloWorld vastly underestimated the number of participants, especially the mail-ins. Is there any recourse if we don’t receive all of the emails?
Was just reminded that there is no mail on Monday so these will need to be out by Saturday.
@J.J. – Great point! Thanks for the reminder.
Seb, picked up 100,000+ IHG points between me and wife. Worth it to me.
We sent ours out in the early part in small groups. We received 1 – 5000 2- 2000 2-1000 and then 500 for a total of about 48,000. My partner just sent in the last of his today.
The terms are that you can only win 1 group A (the big prizes) 5 Group B (1K 2K 5K 1m) and 500 in unlimited.
Don’t forget, Monday is a federal holiday! No postal service on the 15th.
As I’ve commented on other blogs, since Monday, February 15 is Presidents Day, a federal holiday, the real postmark deadline is Saturday, February 13. Please highlight this so your readers won’t be disappointed.
Sent out 94 and got 12 emails. What a waste of time and money.
I sent all 94, got 13 emails, but just tried clicking the link again a few times and probably got 5-6 more to work. I sent in all 94 for my wife and got all 94 back. Mine were sent in November, hers in December. I just sent 80 more for myself. Hopefully I’ll get more emails.
Could I sign up my elderly dad. He has an email account. Can these points transfer between relatives with the same last name? ?
@Norm – Yes you can do this for your dad. Unfortunately you cannot transfer points.
Hubby and I sent 94 each in early December.
I received several emails that had non-functioning links. In total, I’ve been able to play 26 times. He has played a few times more than me.
Yes – frustrating and disappointing.