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
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,668
just received an email today letting me know i will get my free night cert via email next month....i love this benefit of having the card....well worth the annual fee....
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: AA EXP,MR PP,Hyatt Diam, SPG Plat,PC Plat, HH Gold, National EE
Posts: 791
No email
I see they charged my cc the annual fee but I have yet to receive any email about the free night. Do you usually get charged the annual fee b/f or after the email?
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
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#35
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Chicago
Programs: Elite status everywhere, not enough time to enjoy
Posts: 255
Since I already held the PC Visa last year, when I upgraded, I was told I was not eligible for the bonus points...after reading a few of these posts, I am starting to doubt the info I was given. Can anyone confirm that information? Is it worth me calling them and asking for my points? Thanks in advance.
#36
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: 17,419
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
No, isn't it actulaly like an 11% bonus? (Percentages don't work out to the same absolute numbers going down as up.)
But only if you use all your points on PC stays. I you use some of your points on something else (transfers, "hotels anywhere", etc), you don't get 10% back on that, so it's no longer as much as a 10% or 11% bonus on all earnings.
Besides, it works on earnings made years ago, if you have a big stash of points. Am I supposed to have to calculate how far back I earned all the points I'm now redeeming, so I can figure out when I started "effectively getting 11% bonus on earnings"?
And then, if they ever discontinue (or change) this benefit, you'll have to backtrack which earnings got that "effective 11% bonus". Yikes!
It thus makes my head hurt trying to figure out how to calculcate this correctly.
Isn't it simple enough to know it's a 10% discount on stays, and leave it at that???
But only if you use all your points on PC stays. I you use some of your points on something else (transfers, "hotels anywhere", etc), you don't get 10% back on that, so it's no longer as much as a 10% or 11% bonus on all earnings.
Besides, it works on earnings made years ago, if you have a big stash of points. Am I supposed to have to calculate how far back I earned all the points I'm now redeeming, so I can figure out when I started "effectively getting 11% bonus on earnings"?
And then, if they ever discontinue (or change) this benefit, you'll have to backtrack which earnings got that "effective 11% bonus". Yikes!
It thus makes my head hurt trying to figure out how to calculcate this correctly.
Isn't it simple enough to know it's a 10% discount on stays, and leave it at that???
Last edited by sdsearch; Aug 4, 2011 at 5:16 pm Reason: fixed quote formatting
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
But I don't think of it as an earnings bonus. I think of it as a reduction in redemption costs, which is in essence what it is.
#39
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: SDF
Programs: Delta PM, IC Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Has anyone tried to use the free night along with an Ambassador BOGO? I'm thinking a free Friday anniversary cert at an IC, pay for Saturday, and use the BOGO on Sunday. Anything in the Ts&Cs to forbid this?
I don't get my anniversary cert for 6 weeks, and the BOGO in 4 weeks, so I'm plotting.
I don't get my anniversary cert for 6 weeks, and the BOGO in 4 weeks, so I'm plotting.
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
Has anyone tried to use the free night along with an Ambassador BOGO? I'm thinking a free Friday anniversary cert at an IC, pay for Saturday, and use the BOGO on Sunday. Anything in the Ts&Cs to forbid this?
I don't get my anniversary cert for 6 weeks, and the BOGO in 4 weeks, so I'm plotting.
I don't get my anniversary cert for 6 weeks, and the BOGO in 4 weeks, so I'm plotting.
#41
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: 17,419
+1, at least according to T&C. In reality, I've only done stay redemptions, but should be all.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Laguna Beach, CA
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 363
I think the answer is no but can the certificate be used at Venetian/Palazzo?
Only reason I ask is that I read the BOGO for Ambassadors are supposedly not valid for suites but seem valid for those properties, where every room is a suite. Hoping maybe it is somehow an exception.
Only reason I ask is that I read the BOGO for Ambassadors are supposedly not valid for suites but seem valid for those properties, where every room is a suite. Hoping maybe it is somehow an exception.
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,377
I think the answer is no but can the certificate be used at Venetian/Palazzo?
Only reason I ask is that I read the BOGO for Ambassadors are supposedly not valid for suites but seem valid for those properties, where every room is a suite. Hoping maybe it is somehow an exception.
Only reason I ask is that I read the BOGO for Ambassadors are supposedly not valid for suites but seem valid for those properties, where every room is a suite. Hoping maybe it is somehow an exception.
#45
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: 17,419
So I just got an email saying "Your anniversary is almost here" with a date. Kind of slick marketing, anyone else get this prior to their cert coming?