I had the card three years, used it at
IC Bangkok
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay
IC Hong Kong - I guess they must see a lot of these redemptions

In the new regime, IC Bangkok still works, so do the ICs in Seoul. Neither is an "extended stay place" or (in my opinion) a "not so desirable non-tourist location". I understand that some people only stay, or want to stay, at the high end hotels in expensive cities and the card no longer offers a benefit worth having. And I understand that many cardholders are only interested in U.S. hotels. But I can easily find hotels that would cost $200 a night that I want to stay in, so its a keeper for me. I like the idea of getting the new $89 card too, if I can have both, to get a multiple night stay.