IHG credit card night certificate at Kimpton?
Dec 6, 2017, 3:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JFK / LGA.. EWR is not part of NYC!
Programs: Brand loyalty is for suckers
Posts: 1,047
IHG credit card night certificate at Kimpton?
I'm assuming in 2018 we'll be able to use the free night certs from the IHG card at Kimpton properties, but I haven't seen this confirmed. Don't see much discussion about it online apart from being able to redeem IHG points at Kimpton properties (which, from all appearances, will be pricey redemptions, points-wise).
If true, the IHG card becomes even more valuable, as there are really unique properties to use the certificate on rather than the aspirational Intercontinetals or the occasional nice Indigo (I'm looking at you, Lower East Side).
Thoughts?
If true, the IHG card becomes even more valuable, as there are really unique properties to use the certificate on rather than the aspirational Intercontinetals or the occasional nice Indigo (I'm looking at you, Lower East Side).
Thoughts?
Dec 6, 2017, 9:52 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,486
I can't recall seeing any specific statement with a confirmation, but Kimpton properties will be fully integrated into IHG Rewards for earning and redemption so I don't see any reason why they would be excluded from the Chase certificates.
Of course, keep in mind that awards at Kimpton properties have always been subject to capacity controls (in my experience, award availability has generally been much worse compared to IHG properties including Intercontinentals, and that's with my Inner Circle status which allegedly taps into a slightly expanded bucket of award night availability), and I'm not sure if IHG will be forcing any changes on that front when the properties integrate. I can imagine that, with many Kimptons amongst the nicest IHG options in many cities, that award availability may only get worse once all IHG members have access.
Of course, keep in mind that awards at Kimpton properties have always been subject to capacity controls (in my experience, award availability has generally been much worse compared to IHG properties including Intercontinentals, and that's with my Inner Circle status which allegedly taps into a slightly expanded bucket of award night availability), and I'm not sure if IHG will be forcing any changes on that front when the properties integrate. I can imagine that, with many Kimptons amongst the nicest IHG options in many cities, that award availability may only get worse once all IHG members have access.
Dec 6, 2017, 12:26 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: JFK / LGA.. EWR is not part of NYC!
Programs: Brand loyalty is for suckers
Posts: 1,047
Jan 10, 2018, 7:30 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
Be very careful about that - the new website is not the best. If you have other rates selected in addition to the chase free night in the search criteria, it would show the entire set of available rooms as free, and even the confirmation they will send you will show free. However the true rate will be connected to the underlining other rate that was part of the search. Make sure that it is really free by going back to the website and looking at the reservation - if it shows the underling rate and not free, I would not be surprised if the hotel will charge you that price when you show up.
Last edited by MD/DC Flyer; Jan 11, 2018 at 5:26 am
Jan 10, 2018, 12:59 pm
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
Yes, everything was screwed up when I tried to book my free night on the website- I was even able to get the Penthouse Suite at the Mark Hopkins for "free."
Used the app and everything appeared to be ok. I booked the Buchanan Kimpton in SF with my free night (City View King)
Used the app and everything appeared to be ok. I booked the Buchanan Kimpton in SF with my free night (City View King)
Jan 10, 2018, 3:15 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: San Diego, Ca
Programs: AA 2MM LT PLT; AS MVP Gold75k; HHonors Diamond; IHG PLT
Posts: 3,502
CSRs were very professional, nice, apologetic - clearly not the standard IHG reservations team.
Jan 10, 2018, 11:43 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1k, SPG/Marriott Plat, IHG Plat
Posts: 1,020
I'm in the same situation. Website allowed booking of a suite at the Indigo in NY. Email confirmation confirms the room type and the use of the Chase Certificate and shows a rate of Free. Website now shows a rate of +/- $2,500. Should I just call the regular customer service and ask for a supervisor? Haven't had good experiences with IHG customer service for something like this but maybe they are assigning to a special team to deal with it.
Jan 11, 2018, 5:25 am
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536
I'm in the same situation. Website allowed booking of a suite at the Indigo in NY. Email confirmation confirms the room type and the use of the Chase Certificate and shows a rate of Free. Website now shows a rate of +/- $2,500. Should I just call the regular customer service and ask for a supervisor? Haven't had good experiences with IHG customer service for something like this but maybe they are assigning to a special team to deal with it.
The new web site is another production web site that did not had enough UAT done on it.
Jan 11, 2018, 10:25 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: CMH, West Coast
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, oneworld emerald
Posts: 2,741
Jan 11, 2018, 10:40 am
#14
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, TK Gold
Posts: 1,536