Thanks to one and all - dummy reservation worked like a charm for the added $50 statement credit.
Appears lots of folks in the Chase forum report multiple IHG cards, so I fully expect to keep both open - original card for the 10% on 4th night free, second free night. Getting knocked down to 40k still stings a bit, but the extra 60k points more than justifies the application.
They gave me an obscenely high credit limit, based on my other Chase cards, will roll that back a bit when the card arrives.