Introduction
You guys should know about this deal by now. Deals We Like was the one who broke it to us. Usually, you want to jump on these deals fast before companies change their mind, but I was too lazy to write up 94 postcards. It’s a good thing too because I’ve learned some things from other’s experiences with it so far that I’ll share with you.
My experience
For the postcards, I wrote my name, address, 1 phone number, a short email address (doesn’t have to be your IHG email address), the words “IHG #” and then my IHG number, the words “MC #” and then the 6 digits of the MC, and the words “DOB” and then my date of birth. The label were printed out and I didn’t write any return address on the envelope.
For my wife’s account, I played it safe and sent 1 postcard per 94 envelopes.
For my account, I put 5 in each envelope to save on postage.
I sent them all on 1/25. I got the emails on 2/3.
Wife’s account
My wife only received 52 emails today out of her 94 envelopes. Some people say that while you may get <94 emails,all the links are the same and it’s controlled server-side. I was hoping I could click it 94 times, but alas, after 52, it told me I had run out of entries. Here’s hoping I get more in email later. Out of her 52 accounts, she won 4x1K and 1x2K and the rest were 500’s. If I get the remainder of emails, I’ll have netted 50,500 IHG points.
My account
In my email, I got 86 emails, which is an odd number since I sent them in multiples of 5 and 1 with 4. I haven’t clicked all the way through yet.
Lessons learned
I think someone has done 10 per envelope; I haven’t heard of more than that. So I would suggest 5-10 per envelope. Clearly, sending them that way beats out 1 per envelope (in case some envelopes get lost.) I also heard someone printed out the postcards on an inkjet printer, but YMMV on that one. Remember, the deal ends 2/15, so get to writing or printing.
vinh, do you per chance have links to the data point about someone being successful with printing the index cards? … also a link to the 10 entries in 1 envelope person would be great?
No I don’t like a link, but I know 100% sure it works since someone who I trust told me he did it. I think he printed with an inkjet printer instead of laser since it looked more real. As for per envelope, I did 5, but a diff person did 10, so do however many you feel comfortable.
I am glad I didn’t do this when I first heard about it. I did mine at the end of Jan and got all 94 emails within a week. All emails worked until about number 85 or so, then it basically timed out. Still waiting for points to enter account, which takes 2-3 weeks, but at the bare minimum I got about 40K+ in points. Mailed all 94 of them the same day.
Did you get all 94 emails? I wonder if my wife will ever get the remaining 40+ emails…
Same thing happen to me. 94 emails received, then I got the “enthusiasm” message after 88 plays. But a week later my IHG account posted 94 individual awards.
Interesting data point. Thanks Pam.
Update: So, I forgot that I changed my earning preference to “Earning miles,” but didn’t know the transfer rate wasn’t 1:1. Lesson learned there (I’m a noob in the game). Saw, that all my points posted as miles under United on Feb. 2. I lost a crap load of points (hotel wise), but gained about 10K via United miles. As much as that was a noob mistake, I usually use Airbnb since it fits my budget half the time, among other things. Unfortunately, I was going to use my 2 free nights in SPG paired with an IHG property, but I have other choices and I have status in other hotels just off credit cards alone, so it’s all good. Just thought I’d share.
Ah I didn’t even realize you could credit stays as miles. Good to know.
Did you really get response after only 9 days? We mailed on 1/5 (but didn’t hand-write the envelopes) and haven’t gotten any emails yet. 🙁
Yeah, 9 days. I know people who mailed in December who are still waiting for a response, so not sure what happened. Lost in mail perhaps? I think they are just going to re-mail in some more to get up to 94.
Thanks. I was worried and went to Flyertalk where there are multiple data points of people who used printed labels on the envelopes and got their points so I’m hoping mine are just sitting at the bottom of a pile somewhere.