As of the 1st July 2010, the Ambassador joining fee has risen from US$150 to US$200. This is a double blow to EU residents who have also seen the USD/EUR exchange rate weaken over the last 6 months, meaning that the cost Ambassador status has effectively gone up from €100 in December 2009 to ~€157 today.
You can alternatively use 32,000 points to buy status (previously 24,000 points).
The renewal fee has remained the same at US$100 or 18,000 points.
So what do you get for the new “enhanced” fee – nothing more than you received before!
UPDATE: Check the small print 4. Memberships will be automatically renewed at the end of each term unless cancelled by the member in writing. Monthly memberships can be cancelled
at anytime after 90 days by giving 90 days written notice on the 1st day of any calendar month thereafter. For non-monthly memberships written notice
must be received at least 90 days before the end date of the agreed term.
What: Use your Priority Club Rewards Number to get Regus Business Gold status.
- Unlimited, walk-in access to any of our 1000 global business lounges and cafés, with complimentary internet and refreshments.
- Preferred rates on meeting rooms, day offices and video-conferencing at all Regus locations.
- Access to professional administrative support, from packing and shipping to document printing and binding.
Also earn extra Priority Club Rewards Points:
- Get a 1 month free on a Regus full time office agreement and 30,000 Priority Club points
- Get 1 month free on any Regus Virtual Office program and 10,000 Priority Club points.
Where: Worldwide
When: Starts today!
How: Sign up here
InterContinental®, Crowne Plaza®, Hotel Indigo(TM), Holiday Inn®, Holiday Inn Express® and Express by Holiday Inn(TM) hotels
What: Something else for the weekend….If you have numerous travel related loyalty accounts then try AwardWallet.com. It lets you track your points balances on all your Hotel & Frequently flyer programs in one place for free. Amongst other things it sends you an e-mail each week with any balances that have changed (I discovered that my 5k Platinum bonus posted this week this way!) The site may not have the prettiest design but technically it hits the spot.
How: Visit www.AwardWallet.com
Notes: Other sites that offer similar functionality (but don’t cover quite as many programs) are: Yodlee, MileTracker & points.com
Something to think about over the weekend! During the period between the 14th – 30th May both the double points promotion and the triple points promotion are running in parallel. This means that you can expect a 300% bonus over your usual points!
For example for a US$100 room.
1,000 Base Points
2,000 Triple Points
1,000 Double Points
500 Platinum Bonus (if applicable!)
4,500 Total Points
Seems like a good time to go away!
What: Quidco.com are offering 10% cash back on your completed stay.
I’ve used Quidco for a couple of years now and it’s been remarkably good at tracking and paying out. A nice earner.
If you’re UK based – go ahead and sign up – it’s free.*
If you US based – either go with FatWallet (only 3%) or find a relative in the UK!
How: View deal
Notes: * The first £5 in commission each year is taken as a service charge
Folks – I now it’s been very quiet on my front – but I’ve been traveling!
Business and usual from the 16th march!
What: So Hilton have upped the number of points required to book a reward room – no doubt thanks to those lovely people at Blackstone who purchased Hilton for US$27bn at the top of the market – ouch. But good news for Priority Club members…
“We have no plans to change the Priority Club Rewards programme in any way,” says Peter Tippen, IHG’s director of relationship marketing in the EMEA region.
He revealed that almost 40% of all room nights in IHG hotels are now booked by Priority Club members, up from a quarter two years ago and reflecting the increased popularity of ‘free rooms’ in the recession.
Link: Times Online
What:
“We have partnered with InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to bring an exclusive offering to the eBay User community.
You will find over 30 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts who have donated some of their most prestigious Suites to raise money for the youth charity, The Prince’s Trust, the UK charity that gives practical and financial support to the young people who need it most.
Enrich your passion for travel and experience an InterContinental Presidential Suite and contribute to a great cause!”
PS. No idea if Royal Ambassadors get a free mini-bar!
How: Bid now!
About The Prince’s Trust:
- Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps change young lives in the UK. It gives practical and financial support, developing skills such as confidence and motivation. It works with 14-30 year olds who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. There are one million young people not in education, employment or training in the UK who need our help. The Prince’s Trust needs 1million a week to continue its vital work.
Now you can redeem your points, or combine points and cash, for flights on hundreds of different airlines, including all major US carriers.
Because this is effectively booking tickets with cash, you also earn your frequent flyer miles on these tickets too, subject to the flights being in the mileage earning fare class.
Example fares (from!):
- Chicago to Miami – 60,000 Points
- Atlanta to Los Angeles – 86,000 Points
- Dallas to Denver – 40,000 Points and $76
- New York to Las Vegas – 60,000 Points and $104
How: Book now…
Priority Club have shopping portals for both the USA and UK. Earn points with a variety of high-street and on-line retailers. Although you might find yourself better off with Cashback sites such as Ebates in the US and QuidCo in the UK.