This is a typical LL publicity stunt - must have been a slow news day.
Stays crossing 31.12 have always posted like this, and not only with IHG - the person was simply ignorant and did not take into consideration what consequences the decisions they have made would have had on what they had been trying to achieve.
I was in the same situation but did my research in advance and made my booking accordingly.
Zero sympathy from me here ...