Can we delete this thread, please? 😬
This thread has existed since December 2016 so coming up to it's 7th birthday. If IHG wanted to close this loophole then they've had plenty of time to close it.
My guess is that the number of people who benefit from this is so small in the scheme of things that it's simply not worth them doing anything about
In cash terms it costs IHG very little (as the benefits are provided by the hotels not IHG) and it keeps customers happy and retains their loyalty - and bookings - to IHG