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
Feb 19, 2019, 7:41 am
#1006
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
I've decided that I am going to cancel the card when it comes up for renewal since I just can't find any hotels that I would really want to stay at that are in the 40k range after the last round of January devaluations. I've typically used the free night certificates in NYC and with the last round of increases I can't even stay at a crappy HIX in the city any more with the certs. At least with the Marriott certs good up to 35k I can find a decent place to redeem for a free night....that is at least till Marriott implements peak category awards.
Feb 19, 2019, 8:22 am
#1007
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: CT/ Germany - Ich spreche deutsch
Programs: UA 1K, Bonvoy LTTE, HH Dia, HY Expl
Posts: 4,657
If I knew I could get the EVEN TS for the nights I would need it, I would keep the card since that is the only hotel that is of any interest to me that is still showing at 40k (only for some nights I have checked though).
Feb 19, 2019, 8:31 am
#1008
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
that's probably where i would use the cert as well going forward....
Feb 20, 2019, 5:28 pm
#1009
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 103
IC Sydney Harbour
I am in Sydney for a 2 night stretch. I and am thinking of booking at the Intercontinental Sydney Harbour. I have one free night. The 'free night' does not seem to include a room with Harbour views (which is an upgrade). I do have Diamond Status at IHG, which should include an upgrade for paid nights.
Questions
1) Even if the hotel isn't willing to offer a free upgrade to a 'free night', would they be willing to upgrade me for an incremental cost ? I don't see an option for doing that on the web site - -it's either totally free room or fully paid room with Harbour views.
2) I could book the first night paid on a regular room, ask for an upgrade, and use the free room for the 2nd night. In that case, I presume they would likely not ask me to change rooms (assuming they have space), and would upgrade me for the free night too either without charging or by charging me the incremental cost difference ?
Questions
1) Even if the hotel isn't willing to offer a free upgrade to a 'free night', would they be willing to upgrade me for an incremental cost ? I don't see an option for doing that on the web site - -it's either totally free room or fully paid room with Harbour views.
2) I could book the first night paid on a regular room, ask for an upgrade, and use the free room for the 2nd night. In that case, I presume they would likely not ask me to change rooms (assuming they have space), and would upgrade me for the free night too either without charging or by charging me the incremental cost difference ?
Feb 20, 2019, 6:44 pm
#1010
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
Questions
1) Even if the hotel isn't willing to offer a free upgrade to a 'free night', would they be willing to upgrade me for an incremental cost ? I don't see an option for doing that on the web site - -it's either totally free room or fully paid room with Harbour views.
1) Even if the hotel isn't willing to offer a free upgrade to a 'free night', would they be willing to upgrade me for an incremental cost ? I don't see an option for doing that on the web site - -it's either totally free room or fully paid room with Harbour views.
2) I could book the first night paid on a regular room, ask for an upgrade, and use the free room for the 2nd night. In that case, I presume they would likely not ask me to change rooms (assuming they have space), and would upgrade me for the free night too either without charging or by charging me the incremental cost difference ?
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Feb 20, 2019 at 6:50 pm
Feb 21, 2019, 4:35 am
#1011
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 269
I'm not sure why anyone would upgrade as opposed to simply applying for the new card. Yes, an upgrade won't affect your 5/24 count, but the downsides include
- no more 10% rebate, which you can't get any other way
- you get a lousy upgrade bonus (I keep getting offered 5K, which is offensively low) instead of a healthy signup bonus
- your AF goes up
Feb 25, 2019, 11:13 am
#1012
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Has anyone ever successfully gotten IHG to extend the expiration date for the free night cert? I know I can book beyond the expiration date, so long as I don't need any changes to the reservation after it "expires", but I know Marriott has historically been willing to extend its certificates on occasion.
I am hoping to use one for my honeymoon in Bora Bora in May 2020. I have my final unrestricted cert that expires on 1/12/2020, and booking mid- to late-May will be just outside of the four-month window when award nights become available.
Any data points or advice is appreciated!
I am hoping to use one for my honeymoon in Bora Bora in May 2020. I have my final unrestricted cert that expires on 1/12/2020, and booking mid- to late-May will be just outside of the four-month window when award nights become available.
Any data points or advice is appreciated!
Feb 25, 2019, 11:43 am
#1013
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Teaneck, NJ
Programs: SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Platinum, Marriott Silver
Posts: 699
Wait, are some people still able to book past the expiration as long as they don't change it? From recent experience this was no longer possible? Does calling do anything?
Feb 25, 2019, 3:52 pm
#1014
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,653
Recent reports (read back for a few pages) are that you are no longer able to book beyond the expiration date.
Feb 25, 2019, 4:04 pm
#1015
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Feb 26, 2019, 12:09 am
#1016
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,678
Has anyone ever successfully gotten IHG to extend the expiration date for the free night cert? I know I can book beyond the expiration date, so long as I don't need any changes to the reservation after it "expires", but I know Marriott has historically been willing to extend its certificates on occasion.
I am hoping to use one for my honeymoon in Bora Bora in May 2020. I have my final unrestricted cert that expires on 1/12/2020, and booking mid- to late-May will be just outside of the four-month window when award nights become available.
Any data points or advice is appreciated!
I am hoping to use one for my honeymoon in Bora Bora in May 2020. I have my final unrestricted cert that expires on 1/12/2020, and booking mid- to late-May will be just outside of the four-month window when award nights become available.
Any data points or advice is appreciated!
Mar 5, 2019, 4:50 pm
#1017
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 139
What is the definitive answer on having to pay resort fees with the annual free night?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?
Mar 5, 2019, 5:32 pm
#1018
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843
What is the definitive answer on having to pay resort fees with the annual free night?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?
Mar 5, 2019, 6:21 pm
#1019
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Gold Country, California
Programs: Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,199
Agree. It doesn't do any good to call IHG either, they'll tell you it's up to the hotel. No matter what your confirmation email says. Been there, done that. This is true for all IHG properties that charge additional fees (Kimpton also comes to mind).
Mar 5, 2019, 11:00 pm
#1020
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
What is the definitive answer on having to pay resort fees with the annual free night?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?
I stayed at the Palazzo this past weekend using my free night cert. At check-in, the clerk tried to charge me for taxes & resort fee, he printed out a confirmation receipt showing that I needed to pay both. I pulled up my confirmation from IHG where it stated: Taxes- Free, additional charges - empty, and showed it to him. The desk clerk then called over the manager. The manager came over, fairly confrontational (I understand why as I'm sure everyone & their mom tries to avoid these resort fees...). Manager stated that everyone is subject to taxes & fees on reward bookings & 3rd party booking sites don't do a good job explaining this. I rebutted by stating this is slightly different from a standard reward booking as no points are used & as per IHG, no taxes should be included, which was shown clearly on my confirmation. The Manager took my phone, read through my confirmation email... He then said that he would waive the taxes portion as my confirmation stated I didn't need to pay taxes, but yet I still needed to pay the resort fee as per their confirmation receipt. I asked him if it is possible their confirmation is off, as clearly I should have never been charged taxes to begin with. He got a bit annoyed at this and basically said I'm out of luck. I gotta pay the fee.
I gave up and said I was going to call IHG real quick as I was under the impression that everything, including the resort fees were included. Thinking IHG may give me a credit back for the amount if I was correct, and if I was wrong, I at least knew for next time. The manager looked at me and said, I'll just waive the fee, have a good night. And he took off.
Did I get lucky that he waived the fees?