Chase IHG credit card annual free night certificate devaluation
Apr 2, 2018, 3:29 pm
#17
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Twin Cities, Minnesota, USA
Programs: Delta DM / 1M, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC, Emerald Club Exec
Posts: 500
Yeah, but who travels to HK for one free hotel night? If the free night induces someone to book several additional rates at the going rate, the hotel still wins. [Yes, people on FT would indeed do a MR to HK for one night or do mattress runs, but even those mattress runs tend to be at closer and cheaper cities.
This was my first experience redeeming the free night. Now, I don't think I'm the typical customer
but I'm definitely disappointed with the change.
Apr 2, 2018, 3:34 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 756
Sigh... I literally just signed up for the card for me and my husband, following the advise of that very same blogger that the chances of this benefit being grandfathered is very high. Maybe in future, I'll think twice before jumping in the bandwagon and listen to these aggressive bloggers trying to push for quotas/commission for these CC referrals.
Ahh, I didn't see that. I'm not looking to be a trailblazer on this one. I'll probably just sit back and see what happens. I can probably still do well with a 40,000 point hotel at $49, but this is sort of a lame thing to do for those who applied in the last year and paid the annual feel with a certain understanding.
The only reason I will still get the new IHG is for the $80k bonus, but will cancel after the first year.
Apr 2, 2018, 3:50 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: MSY; 2-time FT Fantasy Football Champ, now in recovery.
Programs: AA lifetime GLD; UA Silver; Marriott LTTE; IHG Plat,
Posts: 14,518
The real problem, of course, is that I wouldn't expect the credit card to keep up with points inflation. Certainly, Chase's own Marriott card hasn't. When I first got the Marriott card, the annual cat 5 was very useful for one night stays in Courtyard-type hotels even in major US cities. But those cat 5 hotels are all now cat 7 and 8, and the certificate remains cat 5.
There's still a decent selection of 40K IHG hotels, but will how many will still be <40K in 5 years?
There's still a decent selection of 40K IHG hotels, but will how many will still be <40K in 5 years?
Apr 2, 2018, 4:02 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat; Bonvoy Titanium Lifetime Elite;Hyatt Globalist; HHonors Diamond; United Silver
Posts: 8,315
I'm on the same page as you here. But if you look into the terms and condition clauses. Chase did have this line written. So technically they are covered legally, and are not obliged to comply against your case. Maybe they might provide a 1 off redemption out of goodwill if we complaint, but the policy definitely can't be grandfathered. But let me know your outcome of their resolution when they respond back to you on secure messages.
Anniversary Free Night will be available for redemption on your account renewal anniversary date each year. (“Anniversary” is the date that is twelve months after your enrollment date, and the same date each twelve months thereafter.) Chase may close your credit card account or suspend your right to use your credit card account, at any time for any reason, including account inactivity. You must maintain a current, valid email address in your Member Profile and opt in to receive IHG® Rewards Club Credit Card Offers and Promotions e-communications in order to receive communications regarding your Anniversary Free Night. Anniversary Free Night is valid at hotels in the IHG® Rewards Club Family of Brands and must be redeemed, and stay must be completed, within 12 months from date of issue. Anniversary Free Night is valid for one standard room night rate and applicable taxes only. Rooms are limited, subject to prior sale and availability of allocated resources and may be unavailable during high demand periods. All reservations that will utilize the Anniversary Free Night can be booked online at ihgrewardsclub.com or by calling the IHG® Rewards Club Service center at 1-877-318-5890. Anniversary Free Night may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, redeemed for cash, or re-credited for points. Individual hotel’s cancellation policy applies to the use of the Anniversary Free Night. Cancellation fees apply if cancellation is made outside of the hotel’s cancellation time period.Anniversary Free Night rules and regulations are subject to change.Chase is not responsible for offer fulfillment.
Anniversary Free Night will be available for redemption on your account renewal anniversary date each year. (“Anniversary” is the date that is twelve months after your enrollment date, and the same date each twelve months thereafter.) Chase may close your credit card account or suspend your right to use your credit card account, at any time for any reason, including account inactivity. You must maintain a current, valid email address in your Member Profile and opt in to receive IHG® Rewards Club Credit Card Offers and Promotions e-communications in order to receive communications regarding your Anniversary Free Night. Anniversary Free Night is valid at hotels in the IHG® Rewards Club Family of Brands and must be redeemed, and stay must be completed, within 12 months from date of issue. Anniversary Free Night is valid for one standard room night rate and applicable taxes only. Rooms are limited, subject to prior sale and availability of allocated resources and may be unavailable during high demand periods. All reservations that will utilize the Anniversary Free Night can be booked online at ihgrewardsclub.com or by calling the IHG® Rewards Club Service center at 1-877-318-5890. Anniversary Free Night may not be transferred, extended beyond the expiration date, redeemed for cash, or re-credited for points. Individual hotel’s cancellation policy applies to the use of the Anniversary Free Night. Cancellation fees apply if cancellation is made outside of the hotel’s cancellation time period.Anniversary Free Night rules and regulations are subject to change.Chase is not responsible for offer fulfillment.
Apr 2, 2018, 4:06 pm
#22
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
IHG has set up a new page where the EXCLUDED properties are listed:
www.ihg.com/anniversaryfreenight
UNFORTUNATELY, the card art that appears is of the new Premier card, so it looks like that card's annual free night will also be restricted to the 40,000 point level
www.ihg.com/anniversaryfreenight
UNFORTUNATELY, the card art that appears is of the new Premier card, so it looks like that card's annual free night will also be restricted to the 40,000 point level
Apr 2, 2018, 4:12 pm
#23
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
The real problem, of course, is that I wouldn't expect the credit card to keep up with points inflation. Certainly, Chase's own Marriott card hasn't. When I first got the Marriott card, the annual cat 5 was very useful for one night stays in Courtyard-type hotels even in major US cities. But those cat 5 hotels are all now cat 7 and 8, and the certificate remains cat 5.
There's still a decent selection of 40K IHG hotels, but will how many will still be <40K in 5 years?
There's still a decent selection of 40K IHG hotels, but will how many will still be <40K in 5 years?
Apr 2, 2018, 4:26 pm
#24
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ Diamond/*G, IHG Diamond Amb, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,239
IHG has set up a new page where the EXCLUDED properties are listed:
www.ihg.com/anniversaryfreenight
UNFORTUNATELY, the card art that appears is of the new Premier card, so it looks like that card's annual free night will also be restricted to the 40,000 point level
www.ihg.com/anniversaryfreenight
UNFORTUNATELY, the card art that appears is of the new Premier card, so it looks like that card's annual free night will also be restricted to the 40,000 point level
Apr 2, 2018, 4:32 pm
#25
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
Good catch. It looks like a number of properties currently at 40k (or maybe all of them?) are on the list. Hopefully when the list was generated someone filtered incorrectly and, knowing IHG, nobody checked carefully.
Apr 2, 2018, 5:14 pm
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
I agree and think the new "Top Tier" card will be even a better value given the perks! I'm about to churn this IHG card in Sept AFTER my anniversary night posts.
New $89 annual fee card:
*80,000 IHG Rewards points for a sign-up bonus
*10X points per dollar spent at IHG properties
*10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card annually
*4th night free on award stays
*Anniversary free night at eligible hotels
*Platinum Elite status
*Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
*20% discount on point purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ihg-fr...00000206867312
New $89 annual fee card:
*80,000 IHG Rewards points for a sign-up bonus
*10X points per dollar spent at IHG properties
*10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on the card annually
*4th night free on award stays
*Anniversary free night at eligible hotels
*Platinum Elite status
*Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
*20% discount on point purchases
https://thepointsguy.com/news/ihg-fr...00000206867312
I received the snail mail letter today and it mentioned the new card is “coming soon”.
as to the devaluation - too bad, but not a shock. Free nights at the Willard, Palazzo, etc we’re insane values. It is still a good deal.
Apr 2, 2018, 5:23 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Princeton, NJ; Lviv Ukraine
Programs: UA 3.6MM, AF/KL Lifetime Plat, BA Gold, AA 1MM, IC Spire RA, Kimpton IC, Marriott Plat, et alia
Posts: 2,732
Very disappointing -- and just rubs in the fact that the maximum redemption level at one point was 40,000 -- then 50,000 -- then 60,000, now 70,000. Devaluation on the high-end, while effectively eliminating half of the IC hotels from the free night cert ... a double disappointment.
This is not an exciting new improvement.
This announcement was not unexpected -- but it was expected that they would offer a second card with 10x earnings at ICHG hotels ... no such luck.
This is not an exciting new improvement.
This announcement was not unexpected -- but it was expected that they would offer a second card with 10x earnings at ICHG hotels ... no such luck.
Apr 2, 2018, 5:26 pm
#29
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 814
It's still a good value CC. But, it continues a slow degradation of benefits.
I will keep my cash back CC cards. So far they haven't found a way to take back the cash I have earned and spent. IHG? We will see what the future holds.
I will keep my cash back CC cards. So far they haven't found a way to take back the cash I have earned and spent. IHG? We will see what the future holds.
Last edited by MrTemporal; Apr 2, 2018 at 5:46 pm
Apr 2, 2018, 5:32 pm
#30
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Keep in mind in the past several years they added features to this card - 10% reward rebates and Plat status as examples. Maybe the Forex as well.
The deval is definitely “the Party is over”. But what a party it was for so long....