IHG notified me today that its HIE in Bend, OR has been reflagged as a Best Western, which leaves three members of my family, all booking on points for an August trip, out of luck. What really ticks me off is that in early August a new HIE in Bend will open with very high rates and no reward night availability, but has IHG made a deal with them to allow guests to use points? Not on your life. Although the Best Western is offering good rates, the idea in these challenging times was not to have to lay out money and instead burn some of our points.