Last edit by: beltway
FAQs
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC?
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
As of April 2023, there are four different active FNC types. Described below in order from newest to oldest (roughly), they will appear in your account under the following headings:
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
After you log into the website, click on the section at the top of the window showing your first name and current point balance. This will take you to the Overview page of the My Account section. Underneath the gray box showing your status level, member number, and points balance you will see a submenu with "Overview" selected. Click on "Rewards Wallet" to go to the page summarizing your FNCs. Click "Details" to see the type(s) of FNC(s) in your account.
You can also go directly to the Details page by logging in and visiting http://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/us/en...gmt/freenights (for English-speaking US members).
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
No.
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
You may cancel your reservation online using the same process as for any other reservation. The certificate is normally returned to your account immediately and available for re-use with no wait and no need to call IHG. For unknown reasons, on rare occasions a FNC will not instantly reappear; in such cases, call IHG customer service to have the FNC redeposited manually.
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
As of January 2019, members are reporting that they are unable to do this.
Formerly, some members reported success in doing this. (See, for example, the discussion at post #516.) Two basic recommendations:
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
No. FNCs are non-transferable.
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC each year?
Yes. The Select card (legacy), the personal Premier card, and the Premier Business card all include an anniversary FNC as a benefit. But note the difference, discussed above, between the Select card FNC--capped at 40K value--and the "flex" FNCs associated with the other cards. The no-fee Traveler card does not provide a FNC benefit.
In previous years, Chase issued the anniversary FNC shortly before the annual fee was billed. More recently, Chase has begun delaying issuance of FNCs until at least 8 weeks after the annual-fee statement date, presumably to prevent accountholders from canceling their cards while keeping the FNC.
Questions related to the extension of the certificate due to the Coronavirus are discussed in its own thread, which is here.
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC?
1. What are the current types of free-night certificates (FNC)?
As of April 2023, there are four different active FNC types. Described below in order from newest to oldest (roughly), they will appear in your account under the following headings:
- Premier Credit Card Annual Flex Night: The anniversary FNC, good for a base room up to 40K points, for the personal Premier card. This FNC is described as “flex” because you can redeem for an award in excess of 40K by adding points on top of the FNC (aka "topping up").
- Note: points used to top up a Flex FNC are not subject to the 10% rebate for Select cardholders.
- Business Credit Card Annual Flex Night: The anniversary FNC for the IHG Business card. This is identical in all respects to the Premier flex cert.
- New Cardmember Bonus Free Night: Some recent offers for the personal Premier card have included one or more FNCs in the signup bonus. These FNCs are capped at 40K value; there is no "flex"/"top-up" option.
- Select Credit Card Anniversary Night: The anniversary FNC for the older Select card, for which Chase stopped accepting applications in 2018. As with the previous category, this FNC type has a hard cap of 40K redemption value.
- Premier Credit Card Anniversary Night: Prior to March 24, 2022, the personal Premier card FNC was hard-capped at 40K value. On March 24, all unused FNCs of this type were automatically converted to Premier "flex" FNCs as described above.
- Credit Card Anniversary Night: Prior to May 1, 2018, anniversary FNCs for the Select card were uncapped--that is, they could be used at any IHG property.
2. Where do I find the FNC(s) in my IHG online account?
After you log into the website, click on the section at the top of the window showing your first name and current point balance. This will take you to the Overview page of the My Account section. Underneath the gray box showing your status level, member number, and points balance you will see a submenu with "Overview" selected. Click on "Rewards Wallet" to go to the page summarizing your FNCs. Click "Details" to see the type(s) of FNC(s) in your account.
You can also go directly to the Details page by logging in and visiting http://www.ihg.com/rewardsclub/us/en...gmt/freenights (for English-speaking US members).
3. Is a FNC revoked if I cancel my Chase card?
No.
4. If I make a reservation using my FNC and then need to cancel, are there any special procedures? Do I have to call IHG?
You may cancel your reservation online using the same process as for any other reservation. The certificate is normally returned to your account immediately and available for re-use with no wait and no need to call IHG. For unknown reasons, on rare occasions a FNC will not instantly reappear; in such cases, call IHG customer service to have the FNC redeposited manually.
5. Can I use my FNC for a date past the certificate's expiration, provided that I make the reservation prior to that expiration date?
As of January 2019, members are reporting that they are unable to do this.
Formerly, some members reported success in doing this. (See, for example, the discussion at post #516.) Two basic recommendations:
- It is advisable to obtain advance written confirmation, ideally from the hotel itself, that your certificate will be honored under these circumstances.
- Once the certificate expiration date passes, you will not be able to make any changes to the reservation (occupancy, date, room type, etc).
6. Can I trade/gift my FNC?
No. FNCs are non-transferable.
7. If I have multiple IHG cards (other than the Traveler card), do I get more than one FNC each year?
Yes. The Select card (legacy), the personal Premier card, and the Premier Business card all include an anniversary FNC as a benefit. But note the difference, discussed above, between the Select card FNC--capped at 40K value--and the "flex" FNCs associated with the other cards. The no-fee Traveler card does not provide a FNC benefit.
In previous years, Chase issued the anniversary FNC shortly before the annual fee was billed. More recently, Chase has begun delaying issuance of FNCs until at least 8 weeks after the annual-fee statement date, presumably to prevent accountholders from canceling their cards while keeping the FNC.
Questions related to the extension of the certificate due to the Coronavirus are discussed in its own thread, which is here.
Annual Free Night Cert from IHG (Rewards Club) Visa / Mastercard
#631
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: UA Explorer card, AA Plat, Copa Plat, IHG Plat,
Posts: 567
None showing Now
I just signed into my wifes acct and her annual free night is missing. Also on my acct the 2 free nights I did have from the Into the Nights promo are gone too.
I guess I need to call and see whats going on
I guess I need to call and see whats going on
#634
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 281
On June 3 - Received email, subject "Your Anniversary Free Night is on its way" stating "Being an IHG® Rewards Club Select credit cardmember has its perks, and this is your latest: your Anniversary Free Night is coming your way in the next 30 days."
I've seen no nights post online and decided to call again and press my case tonight.
Just spent 20 minutes on hold and got hung up on. Called back and was told that I should be receiving it "any time soon" and that I "should continue to check on my account." I pointed out that the card application was dated July 1 and it's been a year+. The rep told me that she was "writing the documentation down" and would send it to Chase for their response.
Does it normally post at at some point longer than 1 year? Has my account somehow gotten FUBAR?
I've seen no nights post online and decided to call again and press my case tonight.
Just spent 20 minutes on hold and got hung up on. Called back and was told that I should be receiving it "any time soon" and that I "should continue to check on my account." I pointed out that the card application was dated July 1 and it's been a year+. The rep told me that she was "writing the documentation down" and would send it to Chase for their response.
Does it normally post at at some point longer than 1 year? Has my account somehow gotten FUBAR?
#635
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: Delta Silver, Marriott Gold, HH Diamond, Ex-UA Gold, Ex-AA Gold , Ex-SPG Gold, Peon everywhere else
Posts: 616
For me and the wife, it never posts on the anniversary date. Our anniversary is late June. This year, our free nights did not post until the 8th of July. We have nowhere to go in the near future so it could have posted in August for all we cared. That would have meant more time to use it before it expired.
#637
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 125
On June 3 - Received email, subject "Your Anniversary Free Night is on its way" stating "Being an IHG® Rewards Club Select credit cardmember has its perks, and this is your latest: your Anniversary Free Night is coming your way in the next 30 days."
I've seen no nights post online and decided to call again and press my case tonight.
Just spent 20 minutes on hold and got hung up on. Called back and was told that I should be receiving it "any time soon" and that I "should continue to check on my account." I pointed out that the card application was dated July 1 and it's been a year+. The rep told me that she was "writing the documentation down" and would send it to Chase for their response.
Does it normally post at at some point longer than 1 year? Has my account somehow gotten FUBAR?
I've seen no nights post online and decided to call again and press my case tonight.
Just spent 20 minutes on hold and got hung up on. Called back and was told that I should be receiving it "any time soon" and that I "should continue to check on my account." I pointed out that the card application was dated July 1 and it's been a year+. The rep told me that she was "writing the documentation down" and would send it to Chase for their response.
Does it normally post at at some point longer than 1 year? Has my account somehow gotten FUBAR?
#639
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: On strike
Posts: 8,135
#640
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
Given the relatively recent post about someone not receiving the free night even after getting the email notification of "coming soon"... what's the typical amount of time after the email that the cert actually arrives? I just got a cert a few days ago. I can't remember when I applied for the card 2-3 years ago, probably September.
#641
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 141
Emailed the IC Times Square and this was the response I got:
I hope this e-mail finds you well. Looks like the booking is already in our system, therefore it should not be an issue. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly
Is that solid enough response to not worry about it?
I hope this e-mail finds you well. Looks like the booking is already in our system, therefore it should not be an issue. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact me directly
Is that solid enough response to not worry about it?
#643
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Posts: 1,496
Chase anniversary free nights now have $50 redemption fee?
I've had the IHG CC for years. Never had to pay a fee while booking my anniversary free nights. Searching availability for the free night at some U.S. IC properties, I'm now seeing $50 when drilling down to "free night" room rates. Doesn't look like a resort fee.
When did this practice start and is it limited to specific properties, specific IHG sub-brands, etc?
When did this practice start and is it limited to specific properties, specific IHG sub-brands, etc?
#644
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Posts: 1,496
Anyone?
I've had the IHG CC for years. Never had to pay a fee while booking my anniversary free nights. Searching availability for the free night at some U.S. IC properties, I'm now seeing $50 when drilling down to "free night" room rates. Doesn't look like a resort fee.
When did this practice start and is it limited to specific properties, specific IHG sub-brands, etc?
When did this practice start and is it limited to specific properties, specific IHG sub-brands, etc?
#645
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
It's possible this is a glitch and it's showing you the reimbursement rate the property receives from IHG Rewards for the award stay. $50 is definitely in the ballpark for that.