In case you didn’t already know Chase is changing the free night benefit on the IHG card (this applies to the certificate issued on the new Premier card as well). For certificates issued after May 1st, 2018 they will be restricted to properties that cost 40,000 points or less. Confusingly it seems that cardholders that applied from 1/1/18 until 4/5/18 will be grandfathered and received an unrestricted free night certificate after their account anniversary.
Earlier this week IHG provided a list of properties that are ineligible (e.g cost more than 40,000 points). The list was inaccurate though as it contained properties that cost 40,000 points. A new list has been added and it no longer includes those properties. The full list of ~200 odd properties can be found here. The real question becomes: why were those properties listed in the first place? They didn’t list all properties that were 40,000 points so I don’t think it was a coding error/misunderstanding error. One option is that IHG has a devaluation planned and those properties will soon cost more than 40,000 points per night. Let’s hope that isn’t the case. We will also update our best uses of the free night certificate post in the near future.
Hat tip to Mommy Points.
The link in the post is dead. Here is the updated link (as of Feb 2020): https://www.ihg.com/content/us/en/deals/partner-offers/anniversary-night
In other words…NYC, San Francisco, and a couple of Florida beach cities are out. IC in major Western Europe / USA cities and almost all Kimptons.
So, I received my free night certificate back in September. Does this mean I have until May 1st to use it for any property? Or does it mean that I have until September to use it on any property? I realize that the 40k properties is after May 1st, but since I grandfathered in how does that work?
The change is for certificates issued after 5/1, so your certificate is still good for any IHG property. Check the expiration date on your certificate; I think they’re good for one year.
Sweet! Thanks for the update. My certificate was received in September.
Another question, does this count toward the stay three nights and get the fourth free rule? If I use my points to stay at the same hotel for two nights, free certificate for the third night, and thus receive a fourth night for free?
Nope. The 4th night free is a feature of the new Premier card only. And for that feature, I believe the first 3 nights must be all on points- you can’t mix in a free night cert to get the 4th night free.
Thanks for answering that. I have 70k points with the old IHG card and I’ll receive 150k points with the two new IHG cards. The property I’m wanting to staying at is 70k so I’ll be able to stay for three nights with points, fourth night free with the free night certificate, then would the 5th night be free because I used three nights worth of points?
Happens wife and I have stayed at quite a few of the places now on the excluded list, and while this may sound like “sour grapes,” lot of those places frankly are in the category of “good riddance.” For example, we stayed two nights at the Holiday Inn Express Fisherman’s Wharf early in January. They should re-name that place, “Holiday Inn Alcatraz” — as in never mind the glossy promo photos, 90% of the rooms face inwards towards totally white, barren, forlorn-looking narrow courtyards with red painted floors. (reminded me of one of the opening prison execution scenes from the classic movie,” Battle of Algiers.
And then there’s that awful, over-hyped “The Willard” in DC…. Stayed there last week on a free night. (more comments on it below) What a let-down.
Ok, we did much like some of the Holiday Inn all-inclusives — like the one in Montego Bay…. but it’s aging, and compares rather unfavorably with nearby AI fare there. (most esp. the Hyatt spots) Yet we can get there w/o free nights — cash/point rates for that place in shoulder seasons can be had cheap via CSR/CUR. (far better “value” come to think of it than using up “free nights.”)
And then there’s that unusual Holiday Inn Beach House at Hilton Head SC…. one of the rare remaining IHG US properties actually on a beach…. but again, those using “free nights” there get stuck in a back unit, no ocean views…. still, like other HIR’s, nice entertainment…. on the beach even..
Hmmmm…. thanks for the memories, the adventures IHG…. been there, done that…. But the more I think about this, the more I’m not going to much miss the unrestricted free nights. Sour Grapes to be sure, but we’ll be staying far, far more with your competitors in years to come. Viva ! (*tic)
That is a great movie. I keep IC Ambassador status just in hopes of getting it one day as my free in-room movie.
I am wondering how long this free night program has been going on? I only applied the cards two years ago. I am asking because I am curious how frequently they change this program.
Just came back from Time Square, the crown plaza and interconntinetal are both old and need updates. But I have never been to the intercontintal @DC.
I was just there — a week ago — the supposedly “famous” “The Willard.” You didn’t miss a thing. First, they dump those IHG members using free nights there up on the 12th floor — meaning the rooms with the bizarre (and very small and filthy) portal windows. (where you get a splendid view of…. tah dah….. the aging, unattractive side of the JW Marriott) Everything about “The Willard” is run on the Vegas/Spirit Airlines model…. that is, you pay for everything. (Be careful about drinking the room water… drink the wrong bottle, it’ll cost you plenty.) Parking (if you’re foolish or Trump-class enough not to arrive by metro) is $60 a night, Breakfast for 2 more than that, and oh, that pool — isn’t. (instead it’s a cramped “spa” — think steam — where again, you pay top dollar for everything) Funny thing, they do have a hidden museum of sorts — which you don’t have to be a guest to see. Hotel I think rather downplays it — as those who spend time there then realize that all the schtick about “the historic Willard” is a bit a classic Trump ruse — lot of talk, but exceptionally misleading. Hotel was essentially rebuilt long after Lincoln — ’bout a century ago, and major gutting and reconstruction in the late 60’s… (which is when the bizarre 12th floor portal windows were installed)
Wife can now say she stayed at “the Willard.” But what a waste of a free night. You get far more amenities included at your run of the mill HIE or even Candlewood….. Ah, but “location” you say? Just two doors down from the White House….. and the current…. so and so.
Meh..
We used our free night at the crown plaza times square for NYE. No, it’s not the most up to date hotel, but it was fine for our needs. We got a room with a times square view and got room service. Better than waiting out in the freezing cold in diapers. We thought it was well worth it. It’s as close to the times square NYE experience as we are going to get.
I opened my account April 24th, 2017. My anniversary date would be April 24th, 2018 which should get me the unrestricted free night before the May 1 deadline yet I received the letter claiming this change. Will be curious to see how this plays out. Does getting the letter mean you are not getting the unrestricted free night?
I think all existing cardholders as of the date of the letter would have received the letter.
I called Chase—no help. Granted, the CSR on the phone was very nice and I didn’t convince myself it was necessary to talk to a supervisor. She recommended I call IHG directly to see what might be done. I then called IHG and got a 5,000 point courtesy credit. Hardly worth two phone calls, but hey.
Sorry, i’m blind.
Now that the list has been corrected, I’ll keep the card…It’s clear now that there are a few properties I can still use it at. But if they devalue those properties and put ’em above 40k, I’m out.