UPDATE: My PR contact at IHG (the one who initially let me know about this promotion), wrote back to me saying “Yes, they will win something each time.” Keep in mind though it is a third-party running the contest, so rules can always get lost in translation too, but I am going to assume the best and assume she is correct.
Last week I wrote about a way to get 47,000 IHG points for only $46. It is part of the IHG “surprise” promotion where you don’t actually have to stay at an IHG hotel to win a prize! In my opinion it is an awesome opportunity to win some free stuff from IHG without having to put out much money or even leave your couch!
The terms are vague and do not specify whether or not you are guaranteed to win a prize on every entry. In my prior post, there were many statistics that people included in the comments section on your chances of winning based on the odds listed in the terms. I sort of believe you will win the minimum prize of 500 on every entry, but not 100% sure. I do have an email out to the IHG PR representative to find out more about this, so will keep you posted once I hear back. You can check out the full terms of this promotion here.
First off, I suggest reading my prior blog post to fully understand the promotion if you decide to participate. If so, here is how you can go ahead and prepare.
Items to Purchase:
- Purchase at least 94 3×5 notecards. I made sure to get the ones without lines to ensure I fully followed the directions. The terms specify 3×5 so makes sure they are not any bigger or any smaller. Contests like this are very strict with rules. I personally purchased these ones on Amazon for $2.29, although there are way more then I need, it was only $2.29. While you can get a 100 pack at Staples for slightly cheaper and use a card that gives you 5x points (i.e., Chase Ink cards), I was not going to go to the store to save a few pennies.
- Purchase at least 94 envelopes. The terms do not state anything about the size of the envelope, so any size that a 3×5 piece of paper fits in should work. I purchased these ones on Amazon for $6.99. I actually couldn’t find them cheaper at Staples online, but I am sure you can, especially since you can opt for some cheap envelopes. I wanted to find envelopes where I didn’t have to lick 94 seals!
- Purchase 94 stamps. This will cost you $46.06. Using a Chase Ink card at an office supply store will get you 5x points on this purchase!
Filling Out and Sending In Entry Form:
- Sign up for an IHG Rewards Club account number if you do not already have one.
- Register for this promotion!
- On the 3 x 5 piece of paper, handwrite the following information:
- Full Name
- Complete Mailing Address
- Day Phone Number
- Evening Phone Number
- Email Address
- IHG Number
- First 6 Digits of MasterCard
- Date of Birth
- For the envelope, it does not specify that you must handwrite the address, however, it does state “use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification”. That can be interpreted as a computer printing out labels. It is up to you whether or not you want to print labels or possibly be safe and just write it out on all 94 entries. The mailing address is:
- IHG and MasterCard® Priceless Surprises® Promotion, c/o HelloWorld, Inc., P.O. Box 5996, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-5996
- Every envelope can only contain one 3 x 5 entry card. This means you must write out and send in 94 separate envelopes.
- The promotion does not begin until November 15, 2015, so I personally would not put them in the mail until then. Any entry that is stamped with a prior date could potentially be disqualified.
- Once your entry is received, you will receive an email within 5 business days from the contest administrator inviting you to play the game.
Even if you win the lowest possible prize every single time, that means you’ll earn 500 points per entry, thus 47,000 points if you submit the full 94 entries. There is also a chance that a few of those entries might earn you a bigger prize. For the bigger prizes, you can win at max 1 prize from the top giveaways (2016 Paris Tennis Tournament Package for 2, 2 different trip packages to NYC, Trip package to Orlando, $2,500 gift card, 1 million IHG points, Bose®Sound Touch®120 home theater system, an adventure package, Sony package,Bose®Wave® SoundTouch® music system IV), and 5 prizes from the 2nd tier giveaway (IHG free night, $50 MasterCard, 5,000 points, 2,000 points, and 1,000 points). There is no limit on the number of 500 point prizes you can win.
In my opinion, this is definitely worth it and something to do while watching TV tonight. I value 47,000 IHG points at around $235. So this is the minimum you’ll gain and you could always potentially win one of the big prizes! My total cost is $55.34. And I expect it to take around 2 minutes per card, so about 3 hours. I am actually only going to send in a handful of cards to begin with to ensure they are accepted prior to wasting time/money on the rest. I’ll probably send in 10 cards to start off with on Monday morning.
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.
Just an FYI, there have been several posts on other blogs outlining how it is not a guaranteed 47,000 points. The odds are 1:1.18 which isn’t a lock at all to get 500 points each entry.
@Blake – You are correct, the odds are 1:1.18. With that being said, there is a chance you can win another prize which means that the odds would not be 1:1. If that was the case that means you’d win the 500 points prize and not any other prize on every entry. While I have not gone through an entire statistical analysis, I believe the .18 takes into consideration the other prize odds too.
The term states that the odds of winning 500 points are 1:1.18, NOT THE PROBABILITY. So the chance of winning a 500 points award for each entry is actually only 1/(1+1.18)=45.9%. Assuming all 94 entries only win the basic 500 points, the expected wining is only 94*500*45.9%=21573. Of course one could argue that each of the 94 entry has a shot in winning the “big” reward, but considering the 3-5 hours of work this is definitely not a no brainer for every one to jump into.
@Jeffrey – I get your point and hopefully IHG and the contest provider can help answer our questions. I’ve contacted both of them. Even if you win only half the time, I still am going to enter. And that is why I am only submitting about 10 cards to start with to see how it actually works.
The reply to Blake is the correct interpretation of the reported odds. The .18 does account for the fact that bigger prizes can be, and most likely will be, won by submitting entries. A win of 1000 points, 5000 points, a trip to Paris, etc. counts as a “loss” of 500 points, so you do not have a 1:1 (a/k/a 100%; a/k/a 1 out of 1 entries will win…) chance of winning 500 points.
I bought my 3×5 notecards at Dollar Tree, they are 200 for $1 there. I am using the side with lines so it is more readable, I am planning on sending in 5 per day to space them out a bit. I had hand cramps by the tenth card!!!
But even 1:1 odds are 50% chance of winning. Odds of winning and probabilities of winning are not the same thing. See wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odds#Terminology. It’s possible IHG is mucking up the terminology, but we can’t be sure, right?
@Michael – Good point. Hopefully my contact at IHG can clear this up for us.
You said that it does not specify that you must handwrite the address. So what are you going to do yourself? Also have you thought of getting one month trial membership of stamps.com. Will that be cheap?
@caveman – I will be handwriting them. Personally, I haven’t had the time to look into a trial at stamps.com. While I LOVE to save money, unfortunately I don’t have the time to save a few bucks with this promo.
I have been working on mine and my husband’s entries for the last week or so. He is always a game player and always willing to switch credit cards whenever i tell him. There is no way he is going to sit down and fill out 94 index cards with this information. Honestly, he is too busy working.
He just leaves this up to me. That is ok! I hope we all win some points from IHG!
I used to enter sweepstakes as a hobby for years. And everything always had to be handwritten including the envelope.
Just curious if the time u took to enter sweepstakes ever paid off….
PJ,
Yes, it payed off..I am out of it now.. but, still have friends that do it and they travel the world, the super bowl, great gifts etc…
What was you average number of entries that you received a prize?
@John B – I received a prize for all entries. Most of them were the 500 minimum points.
I couldn’t find anything in the Terms on whether the cards have to be ruled or blank. Is there such thing? About a week ago I bought a pack of 200 cards. Are they good to use?
@Thom – I didn’t either. I just figured blank would be best.
In the world of “sweepstaking” there is actually a difference of card and paper.. if it says paper.. you have to get 3×5 paper not the index cards. Not lined. Some companies don’t get so technical others do.
I guess I didn’t realize you had to have an IHG credit card. I would guess the first 6 digits are the same for everyone. Would anyone mind posting those?
@Duane – You don’t need to have an IHG credit card. Technically just a Mastercard. You can google it and find numbers easily.
I am all in for games like this. With tips from people here, I am planning to look in to 3X5 cards at Dollar Store. Look into Stamps.com membership
And try to see if I can hire someone to do this writing on task rabbit. I will send some ‘testers’ on the 16th and see the acceptance level.Once comfortable I will post a gig on TaskRabbit or Craigslist and see how it goes.
My OfficeMax (DFW area) had 100 pack unruled paper thin note cards on clearance for twenty-five cents.
Personally I find the envelope addressing to be worse than the card. Could they have made it longer with c/o, etc? As far as printing address labels and stamps.com my concern is in the T&C “Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification”. It will be interesting to see what your source says about this. I could do a test batch with address labels, but does “disqualification” mean you are disqualified totally or is just the entry that is disqualified?
@Carl P – I am personally handwriting. I meant just disqualify that particular entry.
@dealswelike – As to “disqualification” I was just saying the terms and conditions could be open to interpretation. I wasn’t referring to anything you had said.
@Carl P – Got it!
I work from home and only have a cell phone. Do I need to write it twice or will once suffice?
@TellaluBlue – Do you have a friend or family members home phone number you can use?
I just moved to AZ and don’t have any friends that I feel comfortable using their phone number. All my Family lives in Texas.
Google Voice. It’s free. it will forward to your cell phone. And gives you another number.
@TellulaBlue – Personally I’d write it twice identifying one as day and one as evening. I’d say they’re more likely to toss it our for a perceived omission than they are to notice and question the same number.
Just to be clear, You have to have a IHG Mastercard to enter the promotion or just a Mastercard. I noticed in the rules it stated IHG and Mastercard. I probably have the answer; however, i don’t have the IHG card.
Thanks
@Sarhaan – Just a MasterCard
Isn’t there a limit of 6 prizes per person? “Limit: One (1) prize
from Group A and five (5) prizes from Group B prize per person.” quoted from T&C at https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.net/pdf/PricelessSurprisesRules_FINAL.pdf?v=TiHuj
Isn’t there a limit of 6 prizes per person? “Limit: One (1) prize from Group A and five (5) prizes from Group B prize per person.” quoted from T&C at https://d2ukkex5d6aodv.cloudfront.net/pdf/PricelessSurprisesRules_FINAL.pdf?v=TiHuj
@TWilson – There is a limit of 1 prize from Group A, 5 prizes from Group B, but no limit to the prizes from Group C (which is the 500 point bonus option).
How did you get the stamps so cheap? Are they just overpriced on Amazon or something? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FX6I8F0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A5GK472PIBJ68
@Jessica – I didn’t purchase from Amazon, will be purchasing from the post office. I am actually waiting to ensure the first batch I send goes through properly prior investing the money.
Does Staples not sell stamps? Looked up on their website, but couldn’t find it. I was thinking of stopping by at staples this afternoon to pick them up, but if staples doesn’t sell them i will have to stop by at USPS before it closes at 1 pm today.
Yes, those are overpriced. A book of 20 stamps should only be $9.80 wherever you buy it. And Staples sells stamps so you can even 5x points on your Chase Ink CC.
Must you address the envelopes EXACTLY as they ask? (i.e. including the “R” registered trademark symbols after MasterCard and Priceless Surprises)
@Andrew G – I am not 100% sure. Sometimes these contest rules are pretty strict. But can always wait for a few weeks once we have reports from other people who submitted.
You have mentioned several times about confirming they are working. I did not see where or how they are going to notify you of the status of your entry. Is this in the rules?
So do you guys think we can not print addresses on the envelopes with a printer?
@CJ – If you want to hold out a few weeks we will have updates from people who tried.
dangit! i bought a pack of Avery 3×5 cards on amazon and was about to print 94 of them out. i also planned on just stamping the card (like a postcard) and not using envelopes. i am glad i read all this first. ugh how annoying! i guess i’ll wait to see what people report back on. card vs paper…..blank vs lined. this is nuts!
There is an offer for 2,000 Mypoints with Stamps.com. I used my free postage for the envelopes. They give you $5, then two $10 credits come in the Welcome Pack. Just an FYI for anyone wanting to add to the effort for your trouble.
on the 3X5 card, did you write “Name” then your name next to it, “Complete Mailing Address” then your address next to it, etc? Or did you just write down your information without specifying what it was?
Based on my calculation, and the assumptions made in the edit, the expected value from this promotion, if you mailed in all 94 entries, is 63,955 IHG points. Seems worth it if all the assumptions are correct.
The rules say to submit your entry on a piece of paper. Are you sure a card will be accepted?
A card is ‘technically’ a piece of paper.
You can get stamps way cheaper than 49 cents. Go to eBay and search “discount postage”.
I am a stamp dealer.
Another former “sweepstaker” chimes in–
I used to spend 7-9+ hours a day entering sweepstakes. It was a full-time job for which I received part-time rewards but hey, I was a stay-at-home mom and anything was better than nothing. (BTW I also sold/still sell used items on eBay and eBay is definitely the easier of the two).
Like someone else mentioned, sweeps RULE are VERY STRICT and you are expected to handwrite everything, to NOT use metered mail (stamps only) and include address on envelope exactly as stated, including a TM or R copyright sign.
I didnt think about envelopes being postmarked before the 15th. I just dropped 50 envelopes in the mail yesterday (the 13th) with the assumption theyll get there Monday and no one will be there the 15th (Sunday) to receive them. I sure hope I’m right.
I just realized I spent enough billable time reading this post and all the replies that I could have made enough to buy the points. Oh, well. My comment is now costing me money.
I’ll skip this idea and wait to buy more points on sale.
baaahahaha so true! the time we are investing for 45-60k IHG points is nuts. the points are only worth ~$320-$420 and some of us will spend more than 3-4 hours once all is said and done.
The Mr. (USPS carrier) commented that perhaps since the max is 94 entries (AKA one per day), it may need to have a different postmark per entry. And Sunday is a non-delivery day, so no postmark. What do you think? Is the bulk mailing going to work?
And who knows HOW long the actual game participation will take? All we know is that each handwritten letter will get us one chance to play the game.
Any opinions on using address labels for the return address? I have a billion of these and it would save some time. Or are people not even putting a return address on the envelope?
Subscribing for updates.
Section 6b says:
Limit: Each entrant is eligible to receive up to ninety-four (94) Game plays during the Promotion
Period, regardless of method of entry. Multiple entrants are not permitted to share the same
email address.
So, you have to have 94 email addresses as I read that. Are you kidding?
b
You guys are providing me with a big ROTFLOL. This promo benefits the post office! Makes me long for the pudding guy and Wendy’s promo from 12-14 years ago. At least that provided a tangible return.
Better get your cards mailed soon before IHG changes the rules again. Seems the terms and conditions are no longer accessible. Did anyone save a copy?
“The resource you are looking for has been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.”
Does the information need to be hand PRINTED (that is in uppercase letters) or lowercase letters would be fine? I wrote everything in uppercase except my email address and only realized it after mailing in the envelopes.
Please keep us posted on what happened with the 10 envelopes you sent in to see what their response is. Thanks!
Please keep us posted. I sent 3 handwritten envelopes and 1 computer printed envelope on 11/12. Hoping to hear something soon!
Spent about 4 hours this weekend with my wife doing this (only did for 1 account so 94 entries). I was like what the heck the minimum we could get is 47k points with the potential (probably very little odds like the rules say but hey why not?) to get a lot more. It’s more money then I would earn at my job 😛
Keep in mind these contests are federally regulated as far as I understand and so they have to honor the entries for non-purchases (which is essentially what this is). They have to make it tedious like this so prevent people from easily doing it but they can’t stop you if you do it 😉 I’ll let you guys know what happens…all 94 mailed out this morning.
Oh and by the way, don’t try to save $8 on postage by buying discount postage on eBay 😛 The eBay discount postage is basically old stamps dating back to the 70’s mostly and so they are all non-stick (old fashioned lick and stick)….that stuff we now know was cancerous so I just dipped my finger into water and wet them that way…but doing that 300 times (because they are not 49 cent 1 piece stamps) was a sticky mess and took a lot more time than the $8 I saved…save yourself an hour and pay the extra $8 to get the traditional forever stamps 😛
Has anyone gotten the email yet? I haven’t.
I haven’t yet either and I was wondering the same thing? I live about an hour out of Kalamazoo where they are shipped they should have been received by at least last Wednesday. More than likely Tuesday so we shall see what happens.
@Mike – I haven’t received anything yet either. If I remember correctly, the terms stated they will respond within 5 business days. Assuming they received it Wednesday, that means we should hear back tomorrow. If not, my assumption is they are closed Thursday and Friday so we won’t hear till next week.
I sent them 10 index cards as a test just like you way more than “5 business days” ago and still haven’t heard anything, I still have a pile of index cards I finished writing just sitting on my desk…=\, I hope this works!
@Brandon – Unfortunately no one has heard anything yet. With that being said, I am giving them the benefit of the doubt as I believe they’ve had about 5 business days on the dot. I am assuming the department received them last Thursday, which makes the Wednesday before Thanksgiving business day #5. My assumption is thanksgiving and the day after thanksgiving were not business days (as well as the weekends). So hopefully we will hear something Monday.
Alright, we’ll I’m crossing my fingers cause I’ve filled out so many of these damn cards >.<
Good thing I didn't buy those stamps yet!
Her in RI mailed out the 11/16 and have not had a reply at all ! I need those points!
Has anyone gotten IHG account stolen yet? My account was hacked last weekend. I do not know if it is coincident.
BTW, Where is IHG Customer Care from? I do not think they are US based. I was asked twice where are you calling from. When I told her my area code, operator said, no, which country? ok, 001. it must be US.
Sent 5 entries out on 11/16 (from FL) and have had no response from IHG. I’m starting to suspect that the company handling this contest may be asleep at the wheel.
Yeah same here. I sent mine from Michigan, I’m about an hour away from kalamazoo. post master informed me they should have been received on the 17th since it went right to the PO box.
My dealings with IHG haven’t always been positive in the past anyways so this just adds icing to the cake for me. I wish I had someone to talk with about the issue. Anyone have any contacts inside the company we can talk with or complain to?
@Mike B – I’ve emailed both my contact at IHG and HelloWorld to find out more. This is being run by HelloWorld so right now is not in the hands of IHG.
Did you get a response?
Anybody heard anything. nothing here on hte entries I sent in on the 16th. So much for the 5 day response time from receipt of the entry.
Well now it the 11th of December and still no response to the 35 letters I sent on 11/16. Glad to see some people are getting responses.
On 11/18, I mailed 5 out (all handwritten – labeled “Day/Evening Phone #”, “IHG #”, and “MC #”), and still have not received anything.
I’ll keep you posted if I receive the emails. Please do the same. Cheers!
Do you have to label each line (name, mailing address, IHG number)?
Can you use Mastercard Debit or does it have to be credit card
Mailed 6 out on Nov. 16 and haven’t heard anything yet. Have dropped a couple in the mail on different days since just so “if” I get a response I don’t have an overload in my inbox to deal with. Not mailing anymore until I get some type of response from the contest
Are you guys writing each “title” on the line as well?
Example.
Day Phone Number: XXX-XXX-XXXX
or just flat writing a phone number two times? Just curous.
I sent in several letters and like everyone else I have received nothing, If you look at the terms and conditions, that is a clear violation of what is promised. So why? My personal theory is that this is done because by the time they honor their promise, the prize pool will be substantially depleted. Thus, they say no purchase is required, the truth is they all but insure that those that purchase gain the bulk of the prizes. HOW SLEEZY!
Received my first email today. Sent in 8 entries on Nov. 16, but only 1 email. Was an elevator and I “won” 500 points.
Just got one email. I sent in 14 envelopes the first day. Maybe they’re now processing and sending 1-by-1? I won 500 IHG points. It says I will get a 2nd email on how to get those posted to my account.
Just wanted to report that I sent in two entries on Nov. 15 and today during lunch, my husband and I both received the email saying “You qualify for a Priceless Surprise®!”
Dear LINDA,
Success! You have qualified to play for Priceless Surprises, from IHG® Rewards Club and MasterCard®. Now it’s time to open the elevator doors & see what’s waiting!
Each floor holds a chance for a Priceless Surprise, like:
a private helicopter tour over NYC
VIP access to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
1 million IHG® Rewards Club bonus points
and even more unforgettable surprises
Choose your floor here.
See you soon,
IHG® Rewards Club
Upon choosing the floor (one through six), my husband received 2,000 IHG points. He picked No. 5 BTW. Then I went and picked No. 6, I received 500 points. Neither has posted to our individual IHG accounts yet. After seeing the amounts, it said check your email for instructions on how to redeem your reward.
Pretty excited about this so I am going to go ahead and send it the rest of the entries.
For some data points: My husband’s entry had a handwritten address with a mailing label return. Mine had an addressed label and a stamped, inked return. Both were put on lined 3 X 5 cards purchased at Dollar Tree.
Mailed 6 entries in before it started. Printed envelopes on computer and used my mailing machine on stamps. Mailed 10 more, but handwritten and used posted stamps. Received all 16 enries by email today. Won 500 on each except one where I won 1000. Hope everyone else received theirs too!
I mailed in 10 entries on 16Nov and yesterday (04Nov) got 9 emails. Of the 9 email entries I got 7-500 points and 2-2000 points. So it is taking longer than the 5 days–but it does say “5 days from receiving” them. . . . so it they have a ton of entries it may be taking them days before “receiving” them. Please note that I did not label every line–ie Name: John Smith etc. But I did label “day” and “evening” for the phone numbers even tho they’re both the same. I also labeled — “IHG #” and “MC #”.
I hand printed everything on LINED note cards and plain envelopes.
Not sure why only 9 of my 10 first entries were acted upon. Maybe one didn’t make it?