Originally Posted by NJUPINTHEAIR
That they have not removed one or the other means to me that they are OK with your using both the online version -- that bears your name and MR # -- and the booklet form that does not. I see nothing wrong in using both.
While the the name and MR# appears on one (online certificate) and not the other (mailed coupon) I would venture to say they pick it up anyway.
My reasoning is that it's used in conjunction with a paid stay and unless the reservation is made without the MR# it is entered in the check-in record which includes the paid as well as free night.
Of course, doing that relegates one to being a regular, non-MR (non-elite) check-in, no qualifying night (Summer Promotion w/ double eff. stay #2 or 5000 points after each third stay; 2500 bonus points for Ren stays).
It also means (even if you're in a position to qualify for any bonuses, no points, no arrival gift for plats, no best available room upgrade etc. etc.
Having said that, I don't know for a certainty, but I would think the potential is there for a front desk person to check online (for repititive use when one of these "free night" coupons is proferred).
How they would track repetitive use of "buy-one/get-one-free entree is anyone's guess.