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Edit: although the terms and conditions for the below still say that the rate applies to the best flexible rate, it now appears that the majority (possibly all) of the hotels included are now offering the non-refundable rate only.
It’s often the case that ‘headline’ sale reductions aren’t quite as good as they first appear to be, but this time you really can get a genuine 50% off IHG hotels throughout Europe when staying 2 or more nights.
I’ve written about IHG Partner Rates before, and this one is via Health Service Discounts (which anyone can actually sign up for), though you don’t need to sign up to take advantage – just follow the steps below:
As you can see, no ID is required, simply print out the voucher here and write ‘Health Service Discounts’ as the “company/organisation that provided you with this discount”. Have it with you at check in just in case you are asked for it. It works in exactly the same way as the standard 30% discount Mastercard partner rate, and I’ve only ever been asked for a voucher a couple of times, but better safe than sorry!
The details
Book by 30th November 2017 for stays between now and 4th March 2018. Bookings must be made at least 5 days in advance of first night of stay.
Minimum stay of 2 nights is required.
Check out the list of participating hotels here – there’s lots!
The 50% discount is off the Best Flexible Rate and what is great about this particular sale is that you still get a Flexible rate rather than the usual trick of shifting the terms to non-refundable but still deriving the discount percentage from Best Flex. That’s why I see this as a ‘genuine’ 50% discount – because you can compare like with like, rather than comparing a Flex price to non-refundable one.
Given that you can book for dates all the way through to March and that the rates are cancellable, there’s a good opportunity here to make some speculative bookings, even if you change them later.
The deals
There are so many to look at that these are really just a few examples to give you an idea of what’s possible.
Starting at the budget end, you can find some remarkable bargains:
Moving up in the world a bit, the tremendous value continues:
On more expensive stays you save even more money (though the same proportion):
I can’t remember seeing the Intercontinental Park Lane this ‘cheap’ in years. Whether I’d pick it over the excellent and even better priced Crowne Plazas in London is another matter:
The discount also applies to Club Rooms and Suites (even Presidential Suites!):
(The reason the discounts aren’t exactly 50% is because the bottom rates are non-refundable. If you clicked through to the Flex rates, it would be a 50% discount.)
Warning
These rates do not earn IHG Rewards Points and therefore are very unlikely to count towards completing your Accelerate or status targets. Similarly, I don’t think cashback will track (though no harm in trying!). Remember to factor all that into your calculations when comparing different rates and deciding which provides you with the best overall deal. The 30% discount Mastercard partner rate does earn Points, but is non-refundable.
Bottom line
Even though you won’t earn Points, there are some fantastic deals here. Shame I made a big (nonrefundable) booking just a couple of days ago, as 50% off IHG hotels would have been extremely useful!
What are the biggest bargains you’ve managed to spot?
Terms
- 50% off Best Flex represents a saving of 50% off our Best Flexible rate per room, per night for two adults sharing a standard double/twin room (inclusive of VAT).
- Minimum stay of 2 nights is required.
- Bookings must be made at least 5 days in advance of first night of stay.
- Member ID or IHG voucher will be required at check-in as proof of eligibility for this offer.
- Offer only available at participating European InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Staybridge Suites®, Holiday Inn® and Holiday Inn Express® hotels.
- Offer available for reservations made between 1st November 2017 and 30th November 2017 for stays in the period 5th November 2017 to 4th March 2018.
- All bookings are subject to availability of rooms allocated to this offer at participating hotels.
- Blackout dates might apply
- Room only rate for InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo®, Holiday Inn® and Staybridge Suites®. Breakfast included for Holiday Inn Express® hotels.
- Full payment must be made at time of booking; no amendments permitted; no refunds will be given (except where prohibited).
- This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or promotion.
- IHG® Rewards Club points will NOT be awarded for stays booked under this offer.
- This offer cannot be redeemed with IHG Rewards Club points.
Will these still count for accelerate at this heavily discounted ?
Extremely unlikely – hence the warning section.
Anything that’s discounted by more than about a third is almost always non-qualifying (for Points and status).
Exceptions can (and sometimes do) happen, but I’m pretty sure that has more to do with IHG’s wonky IT than what is supposed to happen.
Ah sorry, a more thorough read and I now see your warning. Cheers. Did wonder.
haha, no worries! (made me go back and quickly check I hadn’t accidentally deleted that bit!!)
I work for the NHS, and had access to the IHG discount for years . it’s rarely 50%. usually 30%.
Please don’t go and fraudulently ruins it for legit users. it’s no different to using an HP code if you’re not working for HP.
Hi – just to clarify, it’s not like using an HP code at all. I’m pleased to state 100% categorically that it’s not limited to the NHS or NHS workers. The terms of the promo have no such requirement.
If you really wanted to be technical about it, the offer is in association with ‘Health Service Discounts’ – what is essentially a cashback site aimed at anyone who works (or has any family members who work) in health (whether public, private, complementary, etc) in any way – not just NHS workers. I think you’d struggle to find many people in the country who don’t technically fulfill that. Given that the terms of the offer don’t actually even require you to be a member of Health Service Discounts the point is somewhat moot regardless.
On the broader point of whether using codes and discounts that really are intended for specific groups ‘ruins it for legit users’, I don’t really see how it does. There’s a personal ethical consideration in those circumstances of course, and the ability to register might get tightened up (c/f Hilton fast tracks), but none of that is likely to impact legitimate users.
Joe does this only work via their website? I can’t make it work via the IHG app.
Has to be through that particular link to that specific web page I think.
Would this work with Ambassador Free weekend night certificate? Thanks
Hi Charles – unfortunately I don’t think so. When using the Ambassador certificate you have to book using a particular page/rate code (at least that’s the way it used to be). Sorry!
Just so you’re aware, this has now been made a non-refundable rate for all of the dates and hotels I was looking at including Paris Le Grand.
Still a good deal but not quite as attractive as before
Thanks Charles! – updated.
Definitely not all.. IC Berlin still offering refundable rates..
Ok so I’ve checked the hotel is on the list and used the link after downloading the voucher but the rate is the same as booking it off any website? Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Bridget – sounds like that could be one of a couple of things potentially. The first thing to try is using a different device (or incognito browser) to search, as I’ve noticed that sometimes the IHG site gets confused and doesn’t search with the new rate properly (even though it says it is!). If that doesn’t work, it’s likely that the hotel might have some ‘blackout dates’ – ie only offering the sale rates at weekends or something. Each hotel can be slightly different, so it’s a case of trial and error unfortunately. Finally, (you probably already know!) but it’s worth mentioning that you have to book at least 2 nights. Hope some of that helps!
Hi,
I booked using this offer – under the fully refundable terms.
I’ve cancelled a reservation I made but the hotel are claiming that the rate is non-refundable. The rate was changed after I made the booking.
Apart from escalating in IHG’s customer service team (ahem) is there anything else I can do about this?
Thanks
Hi Charles,
If the hotel/IHG are refusing to act reasonably (and I would give them a try first, even though I agree IHG ‘customer service’ can be staggeringly inept), assuming you booked using a credit card and have the confirmation email with the original booking terms, I would ask your card issuer to refund you as per chargeback/section 75 and then leave it for them to deal with. If the terms were unilaterally changed after your purchase, IHG don’t have a leg to stand on so will hopefully do the obvious/decent thing and save you the hassle.
Thanks Joe,
I’ve had a response from IHG customer services noting a conflict between a refundable cancellation policy and a non-refundable rate code.
They have offered a 50% refund but as they have admitted error I will pursue the full amount. Failing that I will seek a chargeback.
Good to hear – yep, definitely keep at them!