I asked this same question in one of the current promotion threads, but I think it can be generalized into a common question:

1. I need to book a paid night in the near future to full fill my promotion requirement for a qualified stay.

2. I want to book a night at a different hotel (different country in fact) for a friend using my annual Chase IHG credit card free night. I assume this is the same as using points in terms of IHG accounting?

Both 1 and 2 are on the same night.

My question is - will the paid night be counted as qualifying stay and get points as well? Or will IHG see it as a duplicate/multi-booking and disqualify it? (I.e. if I book 2 paid stays at 2 different hotels on the same night, I don't get points on 1 of them)

If it makes a difference, the free night was booked a long time ago (I can't find availability anymore). I haven't booked the paid stay yet...

IF it makes a difference, I'm sure the paid stay will check-in first. However, the free-night will check-out first.