Bumping an old thread since I have some questions on the $10k spend to get the e-certifcates. I've had the card for a while but never focused on spending more than $10k on the card since the e-cert were introduced because of the US property limit. (and because I have a lot of RR points) However since we will have 3-4 properties in NYC in the next couple of months, the potential to earn a free night with a $10k spend is on my radar so I want to make sure I understand how this works. Here is what I believe to be correct:

1. If my annual fee in 2019 was billed on the card on Feb. 4, 2019....that would be the date that my counter would start towards the $10k spend.
2. If I spend $10k by Feb. 3, 2020 (within one year after the renewal) I would get ONE e-certificate after I pay the annual fee in Feb. 2020. Naturally if I spend multiples of $10k I would get multiple free nights.
3. The e-certificates would be good for one year at ANY hotel in the US...regardless of award category.

Am I understanding this correctly? Are the e-certifcates pretty easy to redeem?