Last edit by: beltway
FAQs
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC?
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
As of April 2023, there are four different active FNC types. Described below in order from newest to oldest (roughly), they will appear in your account under the following headings:
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
After you log into the website, click on the section at the top of the window showing your first name and current point balance. This will take you to the Overview page of the My Account section. Underneath the gray box showing your status level, member number, and points balance you will see a submenu with "Overview" selected. Click on "Rewards Wallet" to go to the page summarizing your FNCs. Click "Details" to see the type(s) of FNC(s) in your account.
You can also go directly to the Details page by logging in and visiting http://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/us/en...gmt/freenights (for English-speaking US members).
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
No.
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
You may cancel your reservation online using the same process as for any other reservation. The certificate is normally returned to your account immediately and available for re-use with no wait and no need to call IHG. For unknown reasons, on rare occasions a FNC will not instantly reappear; in such cases, call IHG customer service to have the FNC redeposited manually.
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
As of January 2019, members are reporting that they are unable to do this.
Formerly, some members reported success in doing this. (See, for example, the discussion at post #516.) Two basic recommendations:
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
No. FNCs are non-transferable.
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC each year?
Yes. The Select card (legacy), the personal Premier card, and the Premier Business card all include an anniversary FNC as a benefit. But note the difference, discussed above, between the Select card FNC--capped at 40K value--and the "flex" FNCs associated with the other cards. The no-fee Traveler card does not provide a FNC benefit.
In previous years, Chase issued the anniversary FNC shortly before the annual fee was billed. More recently, Chase has begun delaying issuance of FNCs until at least 8 weeks after the annual-fee statement date, presumably to prevent accountholders from canceling their cards while keeping the FNC.
Questions related to the extension of the certificate due to the Coronavirus are discussed in its own thread, which is here.
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC?
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
As of April 2023, there are four different active FNC types. Described below in order from newest to oldest (roughly), they will appear in your account under the following headings:
- Premier Credit Card Annual Flex Night: The anniversary FNC, good for a base room up to 40K points, for the personal Premier card. This FNC is described as “flex” because you can redeem for an award in excess of 40K by adding points on top of the FNC (aka "topping up").
- Note: points used to top up a Flex FNC are not subject to the 10% rebate for Select cardholders.
- Business Credit Card Annual Flex Night: The anniversary FNC for the IHG Business card. This is identical in all respects to the Premier flex cert.
- New Cardmember Bonus Free Night: Some recent offers for the personal Premier card have included one or more FNCs in the signup bonus. These FNCs are capped at 40K value; there is no "flex"/"top-up" option.
- Select Credit Card Anniversary Night: The anniversary FNC for the older Select card, for which Chase stopped accepting applications in 2018. As with the previous category, this FNC type has a hard cap of 40K redemption value.
- Premier Credit Card Anniversary Night: Prior to March 24, 2022, the personal Premier card FNC was hard-capped at 40K value. On March 24, all unused FNCs of this type were automatically converted to Premier "flex" FNCs as described above.
- Credit Card Anniversary Night: Prior to May 1, 2018, anniversary FNCs for the Select card were uncapped--that is, they could be used at any IHG property.
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
After you log into the website, click on the section at the top of the window showing your first name and current point balance. This will take you to the Overview page of the My Account section. Underneath the gray box showing your status level, member number, and points balance you will see a submenu with "Overview" selected. Click on "Rewards Wallet" to go to the page summarizing your FNCs. Click "Details" to see the type(s) of FNC(s) in your account.
You can also go directly to the Details page by logging in and visiting http://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/us/en...gmt/freenights (for English-speaking US members).
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
No.
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
You may cancel your reservation online using the same process as for any other reservation. The certificate is normally returned to your account immediately and available for re-use with no wait and no need to call IHG. For unknown reasons, on rare occasions a FNC will not instantly reappear; in such cases, call IHG customer service to have the FNC redeposited manually.
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
As of January 2019, members are reporting that they are unable to do this.
Formerly, some members reported success in doing this. (See, for example, the discussion at post #516.) Two basic recommendations:
- It is advisable to obtain advance written confirmation, ideally from the hotel itself, that your certificate will be honored under these circumstances.
- Once the certificate expiration date passes, you will not be able to make any changes to the reservation (occupancy, date, room type, etc).
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
No. FNCs are non-transferable.
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC each year?
Yes. The Select card (legacy), the personal Premier card, and the Premier Business card all include an anniversary FNC as a benefit. But note the difference, discussed above, between the Select card FNC--capped at 40K value--and the "flex" FNCs associated with the other cards. The no-fee Traveler card does not provide a FNC benefit.
In previous years, Chase issued the anniversary FNC shortly before the annual fee was billed. More recently, Chase has begun delaying issuance of FNCs until at least 8 weeks after the annual-fee statement date, presumably to prevent accountholders from canceling their cards while keeping the FNC.
Questions related to the extension of the certificate due to the Coronavirus are discussed in its own thread, which is here.
Annual Free Night Cert from IHG (Rewards Club) Visa / Mastercard
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
They should all come out from the same type of inventory regardless what instrument you use - points, stay 2 get 1 free, or this annual free night cert...
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
Agree, that'd be my guess too and it seems very reasonable. I was just pointing this out in absence of official T&C.
#19
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: RDU
Posts: 812
#21
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Atlanta
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Plat, Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, PC Amb Plat, AA, Delta Gold
Posts: 356
I confirmed with Chase that I upgraded last June before bonus pts for upgrading were offered. At first the agent professed he did not know what I was talking about. After a little discussion he advised I should receive something shortly. Still waiting. Thats OK. The longer they take to send the longer I have to use it and I know that will not happen until 2012.
#23
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Thank you to those who posted the T&C in this thread. Most helpful. I got a flyer in the mail informing me of this benefit but could not find any info on Chase or Priority Club websites.
#24
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
This is so unFlyertalk like for me and I'm ashamed to admit BUT....I don't even remember getting one of these free night certificates when I initially signed up for the card. I remember it being a benefit of the card but I can't recall ever getting an email or anything in the mail with the certificate in it back in 2010.
Am I understanding correctly that we should have gotten one free night when we signed up for the card back in 2010 and then one free night apon renewal (which would be in August 2011 for me)?
Am I understanding correctly that we should have gotten one free night when we signed up for the card back in 2010 and then one free night apon renewal (which would be in August 2011 for me)?
#25
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
This is so unFlyertalk like for me and I'm ashamed to admit BUT....I don't even remember getting one of these free night certificates when I initially signed up for the card. I remember it being a benefit of the card but I can't recall ever getting an email or anything in the mail with the certificate in it back in 2010.
Am I understanding correctly that we should have gotten one free night when we signed up for the card back in 2010 and then one free night apon renewal (which would be in August 2011 for me)?
Am I understanding correctly that we should have gotten one free night when we signed up for the card back in 2010 and then one free night apon renewal (which would be in August 2011 for me)?
#26
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
Got it now!! Thanks for clearing that up....so basically no free night certificate in the year you sign up....just in your second/renewal year. I was worried I had somehow missed the certificate in the first year.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,762
Note to the thread:
Free night certificate arrived via email the week of Anniversary.
Inventory seems to be in the same pool as standard award based on the availability checking done by soitgoes. Thanks a lot for doing the work.
Free night certificate arrived via email the week of Anniversary.
Inventory seems to be in the same pool as standard award based on the availability checking done by soitgoes. Thanks a lot for doing the work.
#28
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: Delta - PM, Hilton - Diamond, PriorityClub - Platinum
Posts: 199
Stay has been booked
I received my free night cert email a few weeks ago and have already used it to book a night for next weekend. While I didn't care for having to call in to book, the agent was very pleasant and efficient. The whole process took only a couple of minutes and they stated that I did not need to bring a print out with me to the hotel. My wife will be the one checking in though, so I will likely give her my PC card, a prinout and the like. I did make sure that her name was also noted on the res, hopefully that won't be an issue. FYI - the stay is booked at a plain jane HIE so that I could save the points for a future vacation.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: Priority Club Platinum & Ambassdor, Hilton Honors Diamond, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 505
Obviously it's good for any Hotel, including IC? Too bad they can't just post 40K points in your account and you do what you want with them...
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
I'm sure if they gave you points instead of a free night cert, they'd give only 15k, claiming that it's good at oodles of properties for a free night. That's the trick that all hotel programs which give points claiming to be enough for a free night do (they only give enough points for the lowest category or two).
It's only because they give a cert instead of points that you can use it for a hotel that charges 40k or even more (don't some ICs charge more?).
It works for them because they know only a small fraction of people (even if perhaps a big fraction of FTers ) will redeem for high-value hotels. The average person will just redeem for wherever they "naturally" need a hotel, which is just as likely for many people to be a location where 15k hotels abound. (That is, in fact, how I used my 5 free nights from Sweet Dilemma, because I had no trip planned during the 5-month window where I could make use of them someplace where 15k/night hotels weren't the most convenient.)