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Bits: get 1000 free Starwood hotel points, IHG Spire problems

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News in brief:

1,000 Starwood Preferred Guest points for registering for SPG Keyless

If you received an email from Starwood Preferred Guest yesterday, entited ‘1,000 Reasons To Use Keyless’, dig it out of your trash.

Starwood is rolling out a new keyless door opening system, using the bluetooth function on your mobile.  I was shown a demo of this recently and it is impressive – you simply hold your phone to the door and it opens.

Of course, there are obvious issues.  Running bluetooth drains the battery of your smartphone – something which is especially troublesome when travelling.  You also need to take your phone with you at all times which may be inconvenient when heading to the pool or gym.

The email yesterday – which appeared targetted – offers 1,000 SPG points for downloading the SPG app and registering for SPG Keyless.  You do NOT have to stay at one of the 135 hotels offering Keyless – just download and register.

I value SPG points at 1.5p, so this is an easy £15 of value for a few minutes work.  If you did not get the email, I recommend holding off – if it is targetted (and I am guessing it is) you won’t get the points and you will be counting yourself out of getting sent this offer in the future.

You can learn more about SPG Keyless here.

IHG hotels failing to recognise the new Spire Elite status

Various reports on Flyertalk suggest that many Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, InterContinental etc hotels are failing to recognise the new Spire Elite status which launched two weeks ago.

When I say ‘failing to recognise’, I mean that the hotel sees the guest as having no status at all and treats them accordingly.

This happens because each hotel has to make a coding change to their in-house IT system.  Until this is done, the ‘S’ (for Spire) code which IHG attaches to your reservation information is not understood and is therefore ignored.

Over time, of course, this will work itself out.  At present, there is a risk that you get treated worse as a Spire member, especially if any upgrades have been given out to Platinum members before you arrive to claim yours.

PS.  Oddly, the IHG app still show me as Platinum.  The website shows me as Spire.  I have ordered a replacement card via the IHG website just in case I have any issues going forward.  If I use the app to save my card to Passbook, it loads up a Platinum one ….

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IHG One Rewards news

IHG One Rewards update – July 2025:

Get bonus points: IHG is currently running TWO global promotions. You can register for both.

Promo 1: IHG One Rewards will give you your choice of either 2,000 bonus points for every two nights or 8,000 bonus points for every four nights you stay.  The offer period is 20th May to 31st August. Click here to register and learn more.

Promo 2: IHG One Rewards is running a promotion aimed at five brands – Crowne Plaza, voco, Vignette, Candlewood and Garner.  You will earn triple base points for stays at these brands until 30th September. Click here to register and learn more.

New to IHG One Rewards?  Read our overview of IHG One Rewards here and our article on points expiry rules here. Our article on ‘What are IHG One Rewards points worth?’ is here.

Buy points: If you need additional IHG One Rewards points, you can buy them here.

IHG One Rewards is offering a 100% bonus when you buy points by 17th July 2025. Click here to buy.

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from IHG and the other major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Category

IHG One Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy

Comments (36)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Liz says:
    22 Jul22 July 10:24

    OT: How long does it take of IHG credit card points to post on your account. My statement was 8th July and nothing is showing yet.

    • Chris says:
      22 Jul22 July 10:33

      With the exception of April/May due to the bank holidays my CC points have posted exactly a week after the statement date for over a year now.

    • Leo says:
      22 Jul22 July 20:21

      Mine have averaged 2.5 weeks so far.

  • Dan says:
    22 Jul22 July 11:29

    Anyone know if the IC Park Lane has sorted its Spire Elite recognition yet? I’m currently platinum but expect to become Spire any day now due to card spend. Would be gutted if that led to missing out on upgrades on the 2 reward nights I have booked at the weekend!

    • Ian says:
      22 Jul22 July 13:41

      I have stayed at an IC twice since becoming Spire Elite and wasn’t treated any differently than platinum. When they asked if I had any questions, I literally showed that I was Spire Elite now and asked if it was any different to platinum. They literally just explained that it was the top group haha. No real difference to me so far… other than a stupid name and a bright red card.

    • Leo says:
      22 Jul22 July 20:23

      You don’t get any upgrade guaranteed on a reward night surely?

      • Dan says:
        22 Jul22 July 22:29

        True. But they gave me a double upgrade on my last one for being platinum. They won’t give anything (voluntarily or otherwise) if they can’t interpret S status though!

  • Pol says:
    22 Jul22 July 12:44

    Damn booked with Propeller travel for the W in Washington DC in October a few weeks ago. Should’ve waited.

    • Rob says:
      22 Jul22 July 13:02

      If it is flexible, which I assume it is, ask Daniel to cancel and rebook. I am guessing this incentive is funded by a higher commission from SPG so it may be possible and he’ll want to keep you on side ….!

      • Daniel @ Propeller Travel says:
        22 Jul22 July 19:24

        Indeed, I’m sure Daniel will be flexible… It’s about keeping you happy for a long time, not a quick buck.

        Also, Daniel likes referring to himself in the 3rd person.

        Roses are red, Violets are blue, I’m schizophrenic, and so am I!

  • Rob says:
    22 Jul22 July 13:03

    Small print restricts this to members living in Scandinavia

  • Mick says:
    22 Jul22 July 14:26

    . Got two emails back in May about spg keyless but nothing about 1000points offer. Will see if anything comes up.

  • Simon says:
    22 Jul22 July 14:28

    Is there a way to the free 1,000 SPG points if you received no such email re the keyless bluetooth gizmo? I’m an SPG member but received no such email, alas. 🙁 Thanks!

    • Rob says:
      22 Jul22 July 14:51

      Too risky. It is very unlikely and you blow your chance of being invited next time they do a blast of these.

  • Simon says:
    22 Jul22 July 16:28

    Ah, I see. Thanks, Rob.

  • RIccati says:
    24 Jul24 July 00:11

    Earn 1,000 Bonus Starpoints — Register for Your World Rewards — for registering Emirates FFP with SPG.

    These have posted for me.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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