Ongoing points-related offers and other hotel promotions

There are a few ongoing points-related offers that I thought might be of interest to readers. If you're been reading this blog, you probably already know about the Hilton Triple Your Trip promotion for 3x miles on weekends (and 2x otherwise), and the Great Indian Travel Deal, but here are some more. There's also the SPG targeted offer for up to 3 free stay certificates in Cat 1-6 hotels after 4 paid stays, and Marriott's Rewards Plus promotion for social media interactions, which can help earn a few extra bonus points along the way for a next-to-nothing time investment.

Note: The Marriott-MileagePlus offer below is not relevant from an India perspective, but sometimes it is good to know, and so I've included it here.

IHG - 60% bonus points when you buy more than 10k points

IHG is currently offering 60% bonus points when you buy 10,000 IHG Rewards Club points or more, online. You can purchase these points in 1000-point increments, till 18 August 2014. The costs are:

• 1,000 - 10,000 points for $13.50 per 1,000 points
• 11,000 - 25,000 points for $12.50 per 1,000 points
• 26,000 - 60,000 points for $11.50 per 1,000 points

In effect, buying 60,000 points would get you 96,000 points for a total cost of approximately Rs 41,400. That prices each point at Rs 0.43. If you're banking solely on these points, then this isn't really an efficient approach for award nights at many Indian properties. However, if you have a decent stack already, it may be worth your while to top it up by buying a few thousand points more, and get that aspirational award!

While you're at it, the IHG Points Break promotion for July-August 2014 will be available starting 28 July 2014. Here is a quick look at the properties that are up this time. The only Indian hotel this time is the Holiday Inn Pune Hinjewadi, in case that interests you.

Accor double points for Asia-Pac stays

Accor is offering 2x points for all eligible stays in Asia-Pacific, over the next 100 days. You will need to book and stay by 1 November 2014.

This covers stays in the following countries:

• Asia: 
• Cambodia, Greater China (incl Hong Kong ,Taiwan & Macao), India, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, 
• Australia Pacific: 
• Australia, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, New Zealand

Members of the following Accor programs are eligible for this: Accor Advantage Plus Gold, Accor Advantage Plus Platinum, Accor Advantage Plus Silver, Accor Privileged Partners Gold, Accor Privileged Partners Guest Gold, Accor Privileged Partners Guest Platinum, Accor Privileged Partners Platinum, Le Club Accorhotels Classic, Le Club Accorhotels Gold, Le Club Accorhotels Platinum, Le Club Accorhotels Silver, Le Club des Actionnaires.

You need to register to be eligible for the promotion, which you can do here. Click on the Connect link when you see this image on the registration page.

You can get more info, including the T&Cs, here.

Marriott-MileagePlus 1000 miles per stay

Marriott, in conjunction with United's MileagePlus program, is offering 1,000 bonus MileagePlus miles for every stay at select Marriott locations. This is in addition to the usual rewards points/miles you'll earn with Marriott or MileagePlus based on your selections.

This offer is valid for bookings made by September 5, 2014 for stays between July 23 and October 31, 2014, for stays at participating properties (none in India). You can earn up to 5,000 bonus award miles through five stays. I mention this only because United is a Star Alliance partner, and that may be of interest to you after Air India's recent induction into Star Alliance.

You need to register for this promo here.