We Just Stayed 100 Nights With IHG - What We Learned That You Need To Know: Live Q&A

[@TheRetiredMother]

Glad you guys arrived safely. You've convinced me to join the IHG loyalty program. I'm starting to accumulate some points now. Looking forward to doing some more travel over the new few years.

[@larapfeffer2845]

So happy for your 100k! Well deserved - keep up the good work I can tell your hearts in it !

[@brucewilkinson8599]

Nice video, folks. You just reminded us that at times we can make a bad decision regarding a part of our lives because we haven’t really examined all the benefits. Hearing what made you decide to keep your trailer just made me start reconsidering some ideas I had entertained concerning stopping going to a country location a few times a year. Thanks, Tina and Norm, for making this online forum so interesting.

[@lisalowe132]

Different couple and journey 😊

[@nurseadrianern]

Congratulations 🎉 love your channels and sage advice

[@Joe-N-Kat]

Just clicked your IHG Premier link and got approved! Requested expedited delivery. Hopefully I get it in time to purchase the discounted points.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Awesome! Thank you! You can purchase the points before the card gets there, it shouldn't matter.

[@Joe-N-Kat]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel so there is no benefit to using the IHG card to buy the points?

[@Joe-N-Kat]

@TheTravelingHatter this is what I was wanting to do.

[@sheilaa1333]

@@Joe-N-KatIt codes as ‘merchant services’ and not the IHG hotel so there is no benefit to using the IHG card. It can help towards spending enough to get the initial bonus, but if you have enough other spending to do after the card arrives there is no red to wait.

[@Joe-N-Kat]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel just purchased 150k points and got 300k points!

[@tedlasalvia9668]

Good to see the both of you again! Enjoy your time back home and we'll see you next time!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Thanks!

[@SHYsArt]

Hugs

[@LeilaKozak]

we love your channel! do have to say that the IHG does not work in Latin America at all. unfortunately we need to travel for family and it was impossible to use - really old and expensive hotels. Hyatt is not very extensive in SouthAmerica either but better. Do you have any suggestions for hotel chain for Latin America travel?

[@01akqueen]

Your hair is beautiful, Allie!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Oh thank you!

[@ErinFerguson-z6n]

Very informative video! I haven't been as up to date as I thought I was. My husband and I are working through the KZbin course between work and taking care of our 80+ parents. I missed the information about the cruise. Is it sold out?

[@morrowcleveland]

Congratulations!

[@joannelaflamme2360]

thanks for all the info...subscribing to as many of your channels as possible to soak up the helpful tips. Do you have a link on the Airbnb in Monopoli? We are currently in Chicago visiting our grandsons now. Tried some yummy pizza this week. Wish I'd started a channel 3 years ago when we started our petsitting journey around the world. Thanks

[@anniearledgeiverson20]

Hi! Brand new here and excited to learn about hotel living! We’re in Perry, Ga 1.5 hours south of Atlanta Mark and Annie Iverson

[@anniearledgeiverson20]

Our ultimate goal is the Caribbean and Asia

[@lifewithnia6982]

Thanks so much for your content. I have learned so much. Does it make sense for me to purchase the points now with the sale if I am not planning any travel for a few years? Do they expire or can I stockpile them for when I am ready? I am looking at slow travel 7+ years out and other than that just regular ole USA vacation travel, for which the redemptions are astronomical. Thanks for your input.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

If it's that far out I'd probably wait, because they run the sales every year

[@kelvinwong4804]

Hey, I will get my annual lounge membership starting next year. I want to ask if I book a room for my friends/relative but I will not be staying, will the hotel allow my guests to use the lounge? Thanks!

[@dragonmom100]

I've been trying to book the Hyatt House Shibuya for 2 years on points! It always says they aren't accepting points. You are so lucky! It looks really nice. Just tried February, March and April 2025 and still can't get a free stay. Figured they never let people stay on points but since you have been successful I'll keep trying.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

You have to do it a year in advance

[@dragonmom100]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thank you!! That explains it. Would have given up if you hadn't been successful and now I know what I've been doing wrong.

[@JeffandMelissatravel-ji9wu]

Do you know when IHG points go on sale again... we should've bought more last time.

[@scottwilbur25]

Not sure how you've tied into the Tigers, but, "October Ready"!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

I'm from Michigan!

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

My friend says stop at Buc-ees and get some bbq brisket and some fudge.

[@terihoward2330]

Love your videos and would like to join Retirement Jumpstart program. Here is my question: You have so much status with hotel brands and probably with some airlines. Any chance you can "status match" for Diamond status with IHG without the spend? For example, I'm currently working on Hyatt Globalist; 8 nights away. If I have Discoverist/Explorer or Globalist status, I understand that I can "status match" to Wyndham (Diamond?). However, the highest Wyndham can only be obtained thru a challenge - usually complete 10-nights in the next 90-days. Does Wyndham have a presence in SE Asia? Wyndham is also connected to VACASA managed properties.

[@lisalowe132]

Hi guys - quick question and I have to make a quick decision!! I just cleared my 5 in 24 months with chase so I should be good to go after now learning so much from both of you. I have a big ticket item to purchase - should I choose the IHG business card or Premier? I figured the business wouldn't count towards my 5/24 but not sure if that trick works with IHG ( too much info in my head to remember that) Thanks so much!!

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes the business shouldn't count

[@johnway9853]

Hey guys, couldn't make the livestream, the bees don't care about KZbin when they need feeding! Thoughtless, right? Quick questions, If I follow your links to the referrals it ends up at the points guy page, are you still getting credit for it or is that someone else? Also, as i am looking at the IHG Premier card site and it talks about the 140,000 extra points that we get after the spend, it says that's up to 4 nights free at 4400 hotels, but it seems that it's really like a dozen or more nights when we get the 4 for 3 and stay at the more reasonable nights, it's not a 4 night max or anything like that with those points is it? Thanks

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes, the link that goes to the points guy is the one we get credit for. And yes, as long as it says you are getting the points and not the free night certificates you can use those for as many nights as you can get out of them. Hope your bees are well!

[@maryanne9884]

Congrats on the KZbin award!! And if I'm not leaving the U.S., is it safe to say there is no value in using miles to buy IHG Ambassador status?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Ambassador is just for intercontinentals so it depends on how many of those you'll stay at

[@maryanne9884]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Many thanks! Then I won't waste my miles on it this year.

[@farainfarsai5098]

We stayed at few IHG hotels in Europe this past August and September. We were not satisfied with the condition of rooms and the hotels. The four-star hotels were like three-star and the five-star were like three and half. I know you like IHG hotels in Asia. Have you been to IHG in Europe and what is your opinion of them? Thanks.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

That is just Europe in general, you'll find in Asia it is reversed.

[@sschmidt9549]

Looking for the annual Asia hotel sale? Did it already happen

[@SteffJacobi]

Where can I find information about your group trip to Vietnam?

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

Any lounge access in the US?

[@Every_State_Park]

Thanks for the bonus points tip, just ordered 300k on my wife's account.

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Fantastic!

[@Every_State_Park]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel I still don't understand the Hyatt card though. I get IHG because I can buy a lot of points with a 100% bonus and I get the 4th night free. But I can't really buy a lot of points with Hyatt and there's no free nights. Do you just buy everything through Chase and push those points over? If I buy points on both our accounts I can get to about 4-5 months of IHG stays on points but I don't see how I can stay the other 8 months on points. Planning to buy the course to hopefully figure it out.

[@phoebe5553]

Maybe you can apply IHG business card to get more points?

[@willnguyen4502]

Is there a benefit to using the IHG card to buy the points?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Not a huge benefit

[@apai811]

Can you please also look into Wyndham rewards and share your views on this program vs IHG

[@susangarrard2753]

Can you recommend a hotel in SEA for IHG that has the lowest price for points?

[@tcurtisFl]

We read that you can gift points in the email that was sent from IHG. Can Rob not gift points to Ally?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

There are high fees involved

[@Mikesadventures-m2q]

Go Tribe!

[@rubphilosopher9307]

How do you get your snail mail?

[@robertrogina]

Why are yall not BOTH business partners with IHG - Then you can transfr points teo each other. All you need is one Diamond account.

[@kativosk]

I have a question about the value of purchasing IHG points. I am looking at a hotel in Portsmouth UK at $158/night or 33,666 points/night. To purchase 34,000 points is $184, with the 100% bonus. Why would anyone purchase points?

[@rubphilosopher9307]

With the IHG chase credit card you get the 4th night with points free plus free cancel and sometimes no fees

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

If you have the credit card and search in blocks of 4 nights the points are almost always cheaper.

[@SteffJacobi]

Plus you don’t pay taxes

[@sheilaa1333]

If it’s less than four nights we usually pay cash to earn more points to be used on stays of 4 nights. The big pro is the 4th night free.

[@keishamcqueen622]

Hi, I was wondering as a Canadian what is the credit card i could get so i can start buying points while on sale. I am still learning from this point benefits ..a newbie😂

[@JulieMacKay-cd9hp]

I’m Cdn too. Unless you can get a US credit card you just need to buy them on sale. I used my Amex card so at least I get points I can transfer to Aeroplan. Where are you in cda?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Yes you can buy the points without the card, but you don't get the 4th night free without it. So it can still be a good deal, but not as good as if you had the card.

[@keishamcqueen622]

@@JulieMacKay-cd9hp thanks so much, I will look into Amex card ..Canada needs to step up with options, we are so close to USA...

[@keishamcqueen622]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel ok this is good to know .what is date points are available to buy in October? I think January you mentioned in another video is good too...thank you both so much, you are both so informative

[@janicerhansenmx679]

The level of inefficiency and corruption in this administration is becoming absurd. Those who are disabled and do not receive the support to which they are legally entitled make me sad. I sincerely thank you, June Renae Matthysse. Imagine making $6k in 20 days with an investment of $1.5k.

[@HelenChaseKiddyEnamaine]

That woman transformed my entire life for the better. Among the folks I've met, June appears to be the most trustworthy. I'm surprised you know her as well

[@ms_christinejones]

I've noticed a lot of people talking about June, she must be amazing for everyone to be saying so many wonderful things about her

[@mytraveldiary63]

Can't you guys transfer points between each other?

[@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel]

Not at a reasonable rate

[@mytraveldiary63]

@@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel@GroundedLifeRetirementTravel Thanks; I have never faced this situation since I travel alone. Being at a Hotel with a Lounge is hard, and you cannot enjoy it. It's a different type of pain.

[@gif24gt60]

Please speak louder😮

[@msadventure49]

And please try not to laugh so loud.

[@LeilaKozak]

we love your channel! do have to say that the IHG does not work in Latin America at all. unfortunately we need to travel for family and it was impossible to use - really old and expensive hotels. Hyatt is not very extensive in SouthAmerica either but better. Do you have any suggestions for hotel chain for Latin America travel?

[@rubphilosopher9307]

How do you get your snail mail?