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IHG Apparently Adds New Top Award Category With Luxury Resorts in Macao
June 25, 2019
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3 min read
IHG Apparently Adds New Top Award Category With Luxury Resorts in Macao
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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Sands China, Ltd. announced on Tuesday a partnership that sees three new hotels in Macau join InterContinental Alliance Resorts within the next 18 months. Unfortunately, it appears that this announcement has also effectively created a new top category for award stays, as the two currently available properties are both pricing out at 75,000 points per night.
Effective immediately, The Venetian Macao and The Parisian Macao are full-fledged members of the alliance, which offers perks and amenities for members at non-IHG owned and operated properties. The Londoner Hotel in Macao will also be joining the alliance following its massive renovation efforts, which will see it transform from a Holiday Inn property to a high-end luxury resort. The hotel is due to open in 2020.
The three hotels join the The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, which confirmed Tuesday an extension of their existing partnership with IHG until 2027.
While the IHG Rewards Club doesn't publish a formal award chart, top-tier properties have typically required no more than 70,000 points per night, including luxurious resorts like the InterContinental Bora Bora Thalasso. However, despite paid rates as low as $150 per night, we're seeing award rates at both of these locations that are 5,000 points higher than the current top price.
We've seen rumors of IHG moving toward more variable pricing in the future, but given that these rates aren't directly tied to paid rates and are consistent across multiple dates, it's safe to say that the program now effectively has a new top-tier.
Even if you don't want to redeem your points here, the fact that these two properties are now under the InterContinental Alliance Resort program allows IHG members to earn points on paid stays, even though they aren't officially under the IHG umbrella. And Ambassador members will still receive their elite benefits at these hotels, which include such perks as 4pm check-out and a guaranteed room upgrade — though regular IHG elite members won't.
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The Las Vegas resorts are also available to award redemptions — and have been for some time — with rates of 70,000 points/night. However, cash rates for stays in Las Vegas can be notoriously low, especially during the summer. As a result, you may be better of redeeming them elsewhere.
While adding new luxury resorts is a positive development for IHG, the apparent introduction of a new award category is not, and we can only hope this won't expand to other top-shelf properties under the IHG umbrella.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.