Travel hacking: save big on an Intercontinental Hotels stay

Another terrific deal via FlyerTalk:  save up to 50% when staying at an Intercontinental Hotel property (Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Candlewood Suites) as long as you book it between now and December 30th.

The link I’ll include in a moment will enable you to take advantage of Intercontinental’s “Friends and Family” rate – normally reserved for, well, friends and family members of Intercontinental employees.

Why is this rate “out there” on FlyerTalk?  The decision to allow people to take advantage of this rate is apparently part of a viral marketing campaign.  In any event, it works, and even if you were to book today and the campaign were to end tomorrow, your rate will be honored.

Note that you are instructed to fill out a simple form when you make your reservation.  Many properties will not bother to ask for it; whether they do or not, it only requires a few moments to fill out.

To take advantage of this special rate, click on this link:  Intercontinental Friends & Family or this link:  IHG Friends & Family Both of these links are live as I write this on 12-1-09.

If you’d like to read the thread at FlyerTalk, click on the following link; I’ll link to the most relevant page in the thread:  IHG Hotels – Friends and Family Promotion. Note that comment #72 links to the deal at FatWallet.com; comment #75 links to a much longer thread on this topic.

I have no connection with IHG.  Although the promotion ends December 31, 2009, you can book rooms for stays during 2010.  When you book a room using the F&F rate, you’re not supposed to receive points for the stay, but apparently many people are having points posted to their accounts; if you don’t have a Priority Club membership, it’d be wise to get one before booking.  Good luck – and safe travels!