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
Apr 13, 2019, 2:03 pm
#1036
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843
Can anyone help me here?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
What you can can do is threaten to close the card and see if they will do anything. But if you can’t follow through with it. There’s prob nothing much to do other than keep complaining up the chain.
Apr 13, 2019, 2:03 pm
#1037
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
Can anyone help me here?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
I would contact Chase (credit card issuer), better if you are a Private Client. They should want to keep you as a customer, work something out.
Apr 14, 2019, 12:14 pm
#1038
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,673
Can anyone help me here?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
2 months ago, I booked a one night using Chase free night certificate on phone at the intercontinental Hongkong. I asked to add my relative as 2nd guest and a guest who can check in. The rep asked for her full name and her ID, gave her passport detail and now she can check in after showing her ID. I made sure she can check in and they said yes with her ID info added on the reservation. But today, she tried checking in but the desk agent refused saying "I have to be checking in" and cancelled the reservation and the free night was NOT refunded. I spoke to IHG rewards dept, they said the free nigh is already expired on April 12th and can't be reinstated and won't help me. I spoke to guest relation and they said they will have someone call em and gave me case number.
My certificate was good at any IHG worldwide and so it is a big loss and rip off to me.
Your advice or opinion?
Apr 17, 2019, 2:58 pm
#1040
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
Programs: UA Platinum; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 458
Now that the Premier card has officially been around for a year, has anyone received their free night from this new card (not from the Select card)? I have both cards. Have received the the one from the Select like clockwork annually, but I’ve yet to receive the one from the new card. By my calculations I should’ve already received it. I’ll wait another week or so before escalating but wondered if any others had received yet.
Apr 18, 2019, 12:03 pm
#1042
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Where can I use the annual free-night certificate?
For certificates issued before May 1, 2019, any IHG hotel with Chase free night space available. Chase free night certificates issued on or after May 1, 2019 are limited to any IHG hotel costing 40000 points or less.
Apr 18, 2019, 12:27 pm
#1043
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
Programs: UA Platinum; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 458
How does that square with this statement in the wiki:
Where can I use the annual free-night certificate?
For certificates issued before May 1, 2019, any IHG hotel with Chase free night space available. Chase free night certificates issued on or after May 1, 2019 are limited to any IHG hotel costing 40000 points or less.
Where can I use the annual free-night certificate?
For certificates issued before May 1, 2019, any IHG hotel with Chase free night space available. Chase free night certificates issued on or after May 1, 2019 are limited to any IHG hotel costing 40000 points or less.
Apr 18, 2019, 12:33 pm
#1044
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: DL DM, IHG Spire, Marriott Platinum, National EE
Posts: 318
Apr 18, 2019, 1:29 pm
#1045
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Apr 19, 2019, 10:34 am
#1046
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
update: revived my certificate this morning between 1am and 8am EDT. Unlike my previous certificates that were valid from March to 26-April 5th, this one had booking dates from April 2nd 2019 to April 1st 2020.
the terms & conditions did not mention any caps, and was as able to redeem it on a 60k/night hotel without issues.
the terms & conditions did not mention any caps, and was as able to redeem it on a 60k/night hotel without issues.
Apr 19, 2019, 2:16 pm
#1047
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
Do want to use it by May 1st.
Apr 20, 2019, 9:34 am
#1048
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
I have the exactly same situation - certificate was issued on April 17th last year. Called IHG rewards and they said it was issued on the 17th and I should have it no later than in 3 days and if it’s not here by the 20th to call them and they would essentially honor it (or something like that). So far not here but will call tomorrow if not received by then.
Do want to use it by May 1st.
In addition, to my complete surprise, I also received a second free night - this one on my Premier card which in my estimation was not due till August. It also is unlimited.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:05 am
#1049
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Thailand
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 1,150
Interesting issue, I have 2 certificates one is the old MC which should be uncapped the other just posted and is from the new CC and does not say anything about usage on properties 40,000 points or less.
Anyway I select my old certificate and try to use it in New York city, all the properties come up as available for use until I select the IC or Kimptons then I get a message that the Chase night is not available. These same properties do have award redemption nights available on the days I want to use my free night certificate.
Any idea whats going on here?
Do I need to call IHG or Chase
Anyway I select my old certificate and try to use it in New York city, all the properties come up as available for use until I select the IC or Kimptons then I get a message that the Chase night is not available. These same properties do have award redemption nights available on the days I want to use my free night certificate.
Any idea whats going on here?
Do I need to call IHG or Chase
Apr 23, 2019, 6:32 am
#1050
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,495
I did indeed receive my Select (unlimited) annual free night today and used it for a reservation for hotel in Paris for over 40K points.
In addition, to my complete surprise, I also received a second free night - this one on my Premier card which in my estimation was not due till August. It also is unlimited.
In addition, to my complete surprise, I also received a second free night - this one on my Premier card which in my estimation was not due till August. It also is unlimited.