Chase IHG credit card annual free night certificate devaluation
Apr 4, 2018, 1:24 pm
#91
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Apr 4, 2018, 1:34 pm
#92
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,843
I suppose. But my definition of nice is Intercontiential in Hong Kong or Venetian in Las Vegas. Or Intercontiential in Paris. Not a extended stay place.
Apr 4, 2018, 1:56 pm
#93
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: Hilton credit card Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,651
I had the card three years, used it at
IC Bangkok
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay
IC Hong Kong - I guess they must see a lot of these redemptions
In the new regime, IC Bangkok still works, so do the ICs in Seoul. Neither is an "extended stay place" or (in my opinion) a "not so desirable non-tourist location". I understand that some people only stay, or want to stay, at the high end hotels in expensive cities and the card no longer offers a benefit worth having. And I understand that many cardholders are only interested in U.S. hotels. But I can easily find hotels that would cost $200 a night that I want to stay in, so its a keeper for me. I like the idea of getting the new $89 card too, if I can have both, to get a multiple night stay.
IC Bangkok
Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay
IC Hong Kong - I guess they must see a lot of these redemptions
In the new regime, IC Bangkok still works, so do the ICs in Seoul. Neither is an "extended stay place" or (in my opinion) a "not so desirable non-tourist location". I understand that some people only stay, or want to stay, at the high end hotels in expensive cities and the card no longer offers a benefit worth having. And I understand that many cardholders are only interested in U.S. hotels. But I can easily find hotels that would cost $200 a night that I want to stay in, so its a keeper for me. I like the idea of getting the new $89 card too, if I can have both, to get a multiple night stay.
Apr 4, 2018, 2:11 pm
#94
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ (EWR) - USA
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Posts: 396
Apr 4, 2018, 2:17 pm
#95
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: MD/DC
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Let's call a spade a spade - As much as I hate the change, having the card for 8-9 years, and using the certificate almost exclusively at the IC Times Square for NYC visit (one for me and one for the better half). I still see some value in the card.
While NYC is out of the question, some hotels in other places I frequently visit are within the range, and their nightly price is much more than the $49. Up to now I would have never used the certificate in them, but now the game had changed. And if I'm completely honest I rarely stay in IHG hotels unless it is with the certificate, point breaker, or using the Ambassador BOGO certificate (wonder how long that one would last).
We all also know that the card was (and still is) a loosing proposition for Chase. Who on his right mind would use this card for anything than IHG stay (and even that is doubtful if you have CSR). Frankly, I almost never use the card. It is there only for the certificate. So will I need to re-evaluate my NYC strategy? Sure, but I still have some value in the card. Having IHG, Hyatt and Marriott cards it does give too many second tier options, so one of them will have to go - but it would probably be the Marriott one, once the dust settle over the merger.
Now, if Chase would allow to have also the new $89 card in addition to the current card and do a complete double dip (both 10% rebate and 4th night free on points) and two free night certificates a year - that is something I would consider doing.
While NYC is out of the question, some hotels in other places I frequently visit are within the range, and their nightly price is much more than the $49. Up to now I would have never used the certificate in them, but now the game had changed. And if I'm completely honest I rarely stay in IHG hotels unless it is with the certificate, point breaker, or using the Ambassador BOGO certificate (wonder how long that one would last).
We all also know that the card was (and still is) a loosing proposition for Chase. Who on his right mind would use this card for anything than IHG stay (and even that is doubtful if you have CSR). Frankly, I almost never use the card. It is there only for the certificate. So will I need to re-evaluate my NYC strategy? Sure, but I still have some value in the card. Having IHG, Hyatt and Marriott cards it does give too many second tier options, so one of them will have to go - but it would probably be the Marriott one, once the dust settle over the merger.
Now, if Chase would allow to have also the new $89 card in addition to the current card and do a complete double dip (both 10% rebate and 4th night free on points) and two free night certificates a year - that is something I would consider doing.
Apr 4, 2018, 2:39 pm
#97
Join Date: Jul 2016
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You could always just go with the Ambassador 10% rebate renewal option and the new Premier IHG card... that could be a winning combo too especially if you plan on a BIG redemption year.
Apr 4, 2018, 4:13 pm
#98
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
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Posts: 6,786
Time to freeze the IHG card: Pay the $49 annual fee, use the free night somewhere and then forget about the card. Even if I am tempted to stay in a IHG (which I am not), I would do much better with a cash-back card than accumulating more devalued IHG points. Fat lot of good this move will do to Chase / IHG.
!
Apr 4, 2018, 4:22 pm
#99
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Apr 4, 2018, 4:39 pm
#100
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Apr 4, 2018, 7:55 pm
#101
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
Ok, so there are blog posts out there stating that "those who applied for the card Jan-Apr 2018" will still get an "unrestricted" free night. What about those who applied in 2017? (Trying to decide whether to cancel now or wait it out)
Edit: oh, looks like we are SOL. I find this ironic, given the reply that I received from Chase CS:
At least that reply was logical. Now they selected an arbitrary group of customers who will not be affected, and others (like myself, who applied in November 2017) who will. This may be technically legal, but it's both unfair and unethical.
Edit: oh, looks like we are SOL. I find this ironic, given the reply that I received from Chase CS:
Please know this change is not only for you or selected customers but is for all our customers. To make exceptions would not be equitable to our other card members.
Last edited by br2k; Apr 4, 2018 at 8:22 pm
Apr 4, 2018, 9:17 pm
#102
Join Date: Oct 2012
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If Chase/IHG will grandfather (grandparent) one anniversary award for all of us in our first year (since Mar 2017, not just since Jan 1, 2018), it will go a long ways toward restoring good will and respect and integrity. I remember Club Carlson did a similar "mea culpa" when it did an overnight change that enraged loyalists... and allowed a one year grace period before full implementing the new rules. I am one of those who first applied in July 2017 so have yet to get the 1st anniversary award that I was promised. Feels like "bait and switch" even tho they have a fine print gotcha in the Terms and Conditions. Here is what I have done. (I'm not on Twitter...otherwise I would do it there too.) I used Chase Secure Message while logged into my account. Told them my situation and my disappointment. I got a standard boiler plate reply. I followed up with another message reiterating my specific situation. I got in my reply this message: "Although no immediate changes can be made to the eligible properties for the Anniversary Free Nights benefit, on your behalf, I will ensure to direct your feedback to the appropriate area for consideration.” So I suggest we all keep posting on social media AND contacting them directly by twitter, Chase Secure Message, and whatever other means seems useful.
Apr 4, 2018, 9:39 pm
#103
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,319
I certainly let them know what I think about this in a sternly worded (yet polite and concise) message
That said, based on this experience I can no longer trust Chase to keep the conditions and benefits of their award programs. I have several active Chase cards, yet there are plenty of other options to get cash back, bonus points etc. It may not be much of a loss to them, but I will make a point of closing all these cards. If losing several hundred $$ (or whatever they make in merchant fees from my annual spend) is worth them partial savings on 1 night at a hotel, then so be it.
That said, based on this experience I can no longer trust Chase to keep the conditions and benefits of their award programs. I have several active Chase cards, yet there are plenty of other options to get cash back, bonus points etc. It may not be much of a loss to them, but I will make a point of closing all these cards. If losing several hundred $$ (or whatever they make in merchant fees from my annual spend) is worth them partial savings on 1 night at a hotel, then so be it.
Apr 5, 2018, 1:35 am
#104
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Apr 5, 2018, 6:32 am
#105
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Programs: AS MVPG, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 983
So, we have a category of cardholders that will receive the unrestricted night based on application date, 1/1/18-4/5/18. How is this group different from those that applied 3/17-1/1/18 and have never received an anniversary night yet? I smell a lawsuit. Hehe.......