I think the strategy has been a classic take it away and then give a bit back. They made it harder to earn points and qualify for plat at the beginning of the year, with the new announcement they are now making it a *little* easier to re-qualify with the multiple brands and the reward nights counting.
If reward nights count, I wonder if the cash + points nights will count, as these are essentially the same to the hotels.
It would be nice if IHG Care came back to answer a few more of the questions that have come up over the last few days.