Jared Blank of Online Travel Review passes along a link for free Priority Club Platinum status. Plus stay 5 nights within 90 days after signing up and they’ll kick you a $25 prepaid lodging gift card.
The offer requires opening up a new Priority Club account, so it’s for new members only.
Now, Platinum status doesn’t get you a whole lot outside of perhaps Crowne Plaza properties outside the United States. It’s supposed to get you upgrades but that doesn’t often mean much at the median Holiday Inn, though it’s frequently offered me one free breakfast during a stay and maybe a coupon for a free cocktail and appetizer as well. The bonus points are useful, of course, for in-hotel earning.
I have had very different experiences at overseas Crowne Plaza properties with the Platinum status. Beijing provided free breakfast for two every day with made to order omelets + all you can drink during the happy hour + free soda, water, beer all day at their lounge + use of internet on their computer in the lounge. Hiroshima gave zero benefits, not even a room upgrade and their rooms were below the Holiday Inn Express level. The one in Italy gave only free access to internet on their lobby computer for 30 minutes/day. I guess the benefits, to some degree, depend on the level of the full revenue guests using the hotel and the competition in the city.