Mar 21, 2014, 1:39 pm
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
Sep 9, 2011, 4:51 am
#61
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AA, UA.
Posts: 291
Please provided the email - Carolyn
The card was first introduced July 2010 therefore everyone's anniversary is a first anniversary.
I am closely watching the latest data points as ours are first half of October. In fact I got a statement last month despite no activity - only to find the small print on Member Notice - informing me annual fee will be billed on Oct 9th.
Husband's card does not receive such form of reminder, despite our cards were applied in same week if not same day.
The cert comes from PC. So if you dont receive it, you may want to PM Carolyn, our resident PC rep.
I am closely watching the latest data points as ours are first half of October. In fact I got a statement last month despite no activity - only to find the small print on Member Notice - informing me annual fee will be billed on Oct 9th.
Husband's card does not receive such form of reminder, despite our cards were applied in same week if not same day.
The cert comes from PC. So if you dont receive it, you may want to PM Carolyn, our resident PC rep.
Sep 10, 2011, 6:38 pm
#64
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,421
Sep 11, 2011, 12:47 pm
#66
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
I received notification via email. The coupon is good for 1 year and and valid at any of their 4500+ hotels worldwide. The free night is booked by calling a toll free number [(877) 318-5890]. The there may be more fine print but it wasn't mentioned in the email.
Sep 11, 2011, 12:50 pm
#67
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 60
The phone number to book the free night is (877)318-5890. You might want to call there to see if they can check on the status of your certificate.
Sep 11, 2011, 6:17 pm
#69
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: PDX
Programs: OnePass, MilesPlus, AAdvantage, SkyMiles (unfortunately), PC Plat, HH Silver, Marriott Aluminium
Posts: 739
Sep 11, 2011, 9:13 pm
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
Got the notification of upcoming Certs 6 weeks before anniversary
Both accounts received emails this afternoon to alert us our Anniversary is coming, on 10/26.
That is 6 weeks before the anniversary week.
The certificate email will arrive the week of the anniversary according to the alert email.
That is 6 weeks before the anniversary week.
The certificate email will arrive the week of the anniversary according to the alert email.
Sep 12, 2011, 7:07 am
#71
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AA, UA.
Posts: 291
call this number, but PC told me to called Chase
I called Chase, and they told me to called PC. I told them I already called PC, then she told me my statement just close. Wait for a week and see if the point send to PC. and then called PC.
Sep 12, 2011, 9:27 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
I used this number and called PC, they said I need to call Chase, the number on the back of my credit.
I called Chase, and they told me to called PC. I told them I already called PC, then she told me my statement just close. Wait for a week and see if the point send to PC. and then called PC.
I called Chase, and they told me to called PC. I told them I already called PC, then she told me my statement just close. Wait for a week and see if the point send to PC. and then called PC.
The Annual Free Cert is from PCR, not from Chase
Given our notification 6 weeks from the actual Free Cert email expected to arrive the week of 10/26, you may want to check all your email folders including SPAM and Trash (you may accidentally delete it?) 6 to 7 weeks BEFORE your anniversary date which should be your application date of your Visa just to make sure it might be in one of those folders.
If everything else fails, PM Carolyn of your issue and hope she could help you though based on the performance so far, I am not too hopeful. PC Customer Service is near non-existent and is a far cry from chains such as SPG, Hyatt Gold Passport, etc.
Sep 12, 2011, 9:48 am
#73
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AA, UA.
Posts: 291
The Annual Free Cert
My visa card charge $49 on 9/1 for the annual fee, I still have not see any email about the Annual Free Cert.
Sorry, where is the Green Handle ? I look around this forums and could not find Carolyn ?
Sorry, where is the Green Handle ? I look around this forums and could not find Carolyn ?
Are you talking about Points or the Annual Free Cert?
The Annual Free Cert is from PCR, not from Chase
Given our notification 6 weeks from the actual Free Cert email expected to arrive the week of 10/26, you may want to check all your email folders including SPAM and Trash (you may accidentally delete it?) 6 to 7 weeks BEFORE your anniversary date which should be your application date of your Visa just to make sure it might be in one of those folders.
If everything else fails, PM Carolyn of your issue and hope she could help you though based on the performance so far, I am not too hopeful. PC Customer Service is near non-existent and is a far cry from chains such as SPG, Hyatt Gold Passport, etc.
The Annual Free Cert is from PCR, not from Chase
Given our notification 6 weeks from the actual Free Cert email expected to arrive the week of 10/26, you may want to check all your email folders including SPAM and Trash (you may accidentally delete it?) 6 to 7 weeks BEFORE your anniversary date which should be your application date of your Visa just to make sure it might be in one of those folders.
If everything else fails, PM Carolyn of your issue and hope she could help you though based on the performance so far, I am not too hopeful. PC Customer Service is near non-existent and is a far cry from chains such as SPG, Hyatt Gold Passport, etc.
Sep 13, 2011, 6:13 pm
#75
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: LAS
Programs: DL FO, HHonors Gold, MR Gold, ICH Plat, National EC
Posts: 255
Just to add my experience that I received my free night e-mail/cert about the same time my annual fee was paid. LOL! Talk about sneaky...or should I say, good business on their part?
Anyhoo, figured I'd keep it for another year to see if I use it enough. If not, I'll kill it before the fee is due next September.
Peace!!
Anyhoo, figured I'd keep it for another year to see if I use it enough. If not, I'll kill it before the fee is due next September.
Peace!!