Register Now: IHG 2,000 bonus points for every 2 nights
Last but not least, IHG has joined the party by reducing elite qualification requirement by 25% for 2021 (same as last year). All your elite qualifying nights from 2020 will roll over to 2021 as well, helping you retain the status easier.
I don’t see the update reflected on my account page yet, but it shouldn’t take very long.
Moreover, a new global promotion is starting soon and you can already sign up here. You earn 2,000 bonus points for every two nights stayed between 20 January and 31 March, and even better, these are elite qualifying points too.
This is roughly equivalent to 1,000 bonus points per night, which is a good offer, and the fact that they help you qualify for higher status is great!
Amazon £5 off £25 spend offer
Amazon has released a new good offer finally, and you can check your eligibility on the landing page here.
- Valid until 24 January or until 10,000 coupons have been redeemed
- Not valid on items sold by third-party sellers even if fulfilled by Amazon
- A minimum order value of £25 is required
- Enter code DISCOUNT5P to enjoy £5 off
I have added an Echo Dot to my basket for testing purchase and the discount has successfully applied:
As it’s limited to the first 10,000 users only, I wouldn’t wait too long!
Marriott reducing off-peak redemption prices
Unlike Hilton or Hyatt, Marriott hasn’t announced any elite qualification requirement changes for 2021 yet. However, it looks like they’re making some other positive change at least.
If you check the redemption chart on Marriott’s PointSavers page, you’ll probably notice a difference.
Here is the current chart:
Here is the previous edition:
As you can see, off-peak redemption pricing has been reduced by 10% across all hotel categories.
Although not a big change, it is still good news that Marriott is doing something to improve its programme. Note that the new pricing isn’t live in the system yet, and if you have an existing off-peak booking, check back in a few days to benefit from the reduced price.
Amex Cutting Tie with Shangri-La Golden Circle
Amex Platinum comes with substantial status benefits with certain hotel groups, which unfortunately has been shrinking over the last years. One more partner is biting the dust sadly.
As you can view on Amex’s page, the partnership is ending on April 1st. If you are an Amex Platinum cardholder and hasn’t linked your account yet, remember to do so by the end of March. Whether you have already linked your account or not, your Jade status should be valid until December 2021 at least, if not longer.
Shangri-la doesn’t have many properties in the UK or Europe, but if you ever visit Asia it offers decent choices, and Jade status comes with free breakfast and welcome amenity. Failing that, Jade offers 25% more value when you redeem points for dining, at the Shard London for example.
It’s a bigger disappointment than you think – Shangri-La Jade also enjoy reciprocal benefits with Taj Hotels and Singapore Airlines, which has been an indirect privilege for Amex Platinum cardholders.
Remember to Select your Marriott Annual Choice Benefit!
If you have accrued at least 50 night credits in 2020, remember to select your annual choice benefit if you haven’t done so already.
The link to make your choice is here. You need to do it by 5am 9th January (UK Time), otherwise 5 Suite Night Awards will be deposited into your account by default.
For 50-night benefit, most people would go for the Suite Night Awards which can apply to both paid and award stays. If you are in need of some night credits for Titanium or lifetime status though, opt for 5 Elite Night Credits instead.
For 75-night benefit, most people choose between Suite Night Awards and the 40,000 Free Night Award. As I don’t really care that much about suites, I went for the latter.
£5 off your first Amazon Baby Wishlist
A new offer just has been released if you need any baby or child products. You could see its details here.
To participate, you’ll need to create the first baby wishlist by the end of January. Then add eligible products to your basket until you’ve added £20 worth of them. You’ll see a yellow message like this if the product is eligible:
At checkout simply enter promo code BABY5 to take advantage of the offer.
Obviously you don’t actually need to have a baby to quality, however those products are most likely only suitable for babies or kids, with few exceptions.
Etihad Gold, Dragonpass Prestige & Lifetime GHA Platinum for joining A Small World
Today let’s talk about a niche membership programme – A Small World (ASW).
A Small World is a paid membership scheme. There are multiple membership levels you can choose when signing up, and they come with benefits including hotel / airline status, award miles and more importantly, “member-only exclusive events”.
I have no idea how those events are like and I didn’t find much information online either, so let’s focus on the airline / hotel benefits today.
There are four different levels:
| Access | Lifetime | Prestige | Signature | |
| Validity | 1 year | Lifetime | 1 year | 1 year |
| Fee | €80 | €390 | €5,200 | €19,950 |
| Award Miles | – | – | 250,000 (Miles & More or Etihad Guest) | 1,000,000 (Etihad Guest) |
| Airline Status | – | – | Etihad Gold | Etihad Gold (*2) |
| GHA | Platinum | Platinum | Black | Black |
| Jumeirah | – | – | Silver | Gold |
| Dragonpass | – | – | Prestige | Prestige |
| Sixt | Gold | Gold | Platinum | Diamond |
And from my point of view, there are two opportunities here.
Lifetime – Pay €390 and you get lifetime GHA Platinum and Sixt Gold. It doesn’t sound too bad, especially the former which comes with solid benefits when you stay at hotels.
Prestige – the annual fee is definitely not cheap. However, the 250,000 award miles is worth around €3,000 already, and whether the remaining benefits are worth €2,200 is anyone’s opinion.
Instant Fraser World Diamond Status & 3-for-2 Sale
We wrote about Fraser World previously with regards to its deal with Mastercard. It looks like the deal has been extended and become even better.
You could access the deal on Mastercard’s website here, or Fraser World’s page here. There are two ongoing offers.
For Mastercard World Elite cardholders in Asia Pacific, you are given complimentary Fraser World Diamond status instantly. Its says Asia Pacific only, however Mastercard’s website was happy to accept my UK Curve Metal details.
If you don’t have a Fraser World account yet, simply sign up using referral code MASTERELITE to enjoy the Diamond status and there doesn’t seem to be any check. Existing members need to email [email protected] with the first 10 digits of the World Elite credit card for verification.
The second offer is open to any World or World Elite cardholders. Enter promo code MASTER during sign-up / booking to enjoy 3-for-2 on hotel rates, and fast track to Diamond after a 3-night stay.
We’ve already covered a similar deal in the past so I’m not going into many details this time. Fraser World has a few properties in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Diamond status comes with early check-in, late check-out and room upgrade on short stays.
The promotion ends on 30 June, 2021.