InterContinental Hotels: Priority Club & Inter-Continental Ambassador - Question on 'non-transferable' aspect of the Free Nights

I know this topic has beed addressed multiple times, but I've got a unique situation that I'm trying to figure out how to handle:

I have a free night reservation in NYC for this weekend for 2 adults and two kids (me, my mom, and my 2 kids). Now for work reasons, I can't make this stay, but my mom still wants to take the kids to do the Xmas show etc. She is on the reservation as an additional guest, and we have the same last name. So will she be able to make this stay without me, or are they gonna not let her check in with out me there (I won't even be in the area)?

I of course will make a different reservation for them using points if that's the only way, but it will be a shame to waste the free night.

Surely your Mum (I'm English ;)) can just turn up at the desk, say reservation in the name of "your last name" along with the confirmation number, hand over her credit card as security for any additional charges and that's it. If they do bother to question where you are, she can just stay you are stuck at work and she and the kids needed to check in and are meeting up with you later. Job done.

I would suggest contacting PC (since you don't want to tip off the hotel) and asking them if this is possible. Do keep in mind that hotels have the discretion to interpret things differently but based on the experience many people have on FT with BOGO certs, it seems hotels tend to be even more lenient than PC when it comes to interpreting terms and conditions of the certs.

I would suggest contacting PC (since you don't want to tip off the hotel) and asking them if this is possible.
Actually, I think the reverse is advisable.
PCR are the ones paying for the night. They are the ones with the transferability rule.

The hotel, on the other hand, didn't set the rules and likely doesn't care.

I've booked many free nights from family members account for myself. As long as I'm listed as an additional guest, I've never had a problem. (These were usually 5k nights, so not sure if the current free night promo would be treated the same.)

(These were usually 5k nights, so not sure if the current free night promo would be treated the same.)
These are theoretically different in the sense that the terms specifically specify "non-transferable". The practice, however, may not be all that different.

These are theoretically different in the sense that the terms specifically specify "non-transferable". The practice, however, may not be all that different.

Yes, I've gifted point stays to others many times. But this is a little different because of the "non-transferable" rule. I guess contacting the hotel and asking them might be the best option. Any suggestions on how to find the right person to contact?

Yes, I've gifted point stays to others many times. But this is a little different because of the "non-transferable" rule. I guess contacting the hotel and asking them might be the best option. Any suggestions on how to find the right person to contact?

Don't alert the hotel, don't alert PC. Just follow my advice in post #2 and you will be fine.

Don't alert the hotel, don't alert PC. Just follow my advice in post #2 and you will be fine.

Agree...if she has a print out of the reservation they're unlikely to argue..

Don't alert the hotel, don't alert PC. Just follow my advice in post #2 and you will be fine.

I think you're right. I'm gonna go this route and just have a backup somewhere else close by just in case they actually go low enough to turn away my poor old mom and 2 little kids!

I think you're right. I'm gonna go this route and just have a backup somewhere else close by just in case they actually go low enough to turn away my poor old mom and 2 little kids!

Did it all work out OK?

Did it all work out OK?

This worked out fine. My mom had no issues at all. Thanks for the advice.