Radio Silence from IHG’s “Surprise” Promotion

Over the past two weeks I’ve written two different posts on the IHG “Surprise” promotion: 1) Spend $46 and Earn at Least 47,000 Points; and 2) Preparing for LOTS of IHG Points. Over the course of these two weeks I’ve received many comments, tweets, emails, etc. about the promotion so wanted to give you all a quick update on where we stand today.

Recap of the Promotion…

The quick recap of this promotion is with every stay (after your second stay) you will receive a link to earn 1 of 16 different prizes. And better yet, you actually do not even need to complete a stay for the promotion and can instead mail in an entry form! Everyone will win at least something and the minimum prize is 500 points. Ultimately you are allowed 94 entry forms and if you win the minimum prize all 94 times this results in 47,000 points. That means that is the minimum number of points you’ll earn, but you can always earn more (including free nights, vacation prizes, etc.). I highly suggest reading the two prior posts to learn more about the promotion if you want to take part.

No Communication from HelloWorld or IHG…

This promotion is ultimately being run by a third-party company called HelloWorld. So the email you’ll receive to claim your prize is actually being sent out from HelloWorld and not IHG. The terms of the promotion say you’ll hear from them within 5 business days of receiving the entry form. The promotion started on Sunday November 15 and I know that is when many people (myself included) dropped off multiple envelopes in the mail. Assuming even a slow mail delivery system, we should have heard from them by now. Let’s say then received the mail in the correct department by Friday November 20, that means the five business days would have spanned across November 23, 24, 25, and 30, December 1, 2, and 3. I am assuming that Thanksgiving and the day after thanksgiving were not business days. With it being approx 7 business days thus far, I went ahead and emailed HellowWorld two days ago. Their form says I’d hear back within 48 hours, but unfortunately it has been more then that. I also emailed my contact at IHG and still nothing from her either. So as of right now, it has been radio silence on the communication front.

Will You Receive Your Points?

Honestly, I have no idea. I typically do not take part in mail-in entry promotions, so have no idea what happens if they receive an overwhelming number of responses and way more than anticipated. I personally sent in 10 entry forms the first day, and am holding off on buying stamps and sending in any other forms. I have also finished about 50% of the rest of the entry forms and am holding off completing those as well.

FAQs About the Entry Forms…

I’ve been receiving a bunch of questions on how to fill out the 3×5 piece of paper and envelopes. All I can say is since no one has received any communication, those details are still TBD. All I can say is that the T&C state that the 3×5 piece of paper must be hand-written and doesn’t specify about the envelopes. Readers who take part in these types of promotions often stated in the comments that typically all envelopes need to be hand-written as well (based on prior experience with other promotions). Many readers are also inquiring if you need to write out the labels for the information required (i.e., name, date of birth, etc.). And again, unfortunately that information is still unknown as we have zero reports to go off of.

Overall…

I am really really really hoping that we hear by the beginning of next week at the latest. I also am really hoping I hear back from HelloWorld soon too. Fingers crossed that all goes as planned!