Chase Free night can't even be used for a 24,000 point stay?
Oct 22, 2021, 4:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Virginia USA
Posts: 1,232
Chase Free night can't even be used for a 24,000 point stay?
I tried called IHG customer service to move a stay I booked using the Chase Free Night by a few days. Before calling I noted there was plenty of availability at 24,000 points, and the free night is supposedly good for 40,000 points. They tell me that even though there is 24,000 point night availability, I can't book it with the Chase Free Night because being under 40,000 points and being able to use the anniversary night for it is not the same. Is this actually correct? It's not expressed anywhere in the terms and conditions that there is a separate requirement than just the points rate.
Last edited by flyerfirsts; Oct 22, 2021 at 4:46 pm
Oct 23, 2021, 8:14 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Virginia USA
Posts: 1,232
The website gave me the option to cancel, but said to call to modify, so I was only following orders.
Oct 23, 2021, 9:47 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Virginia USA
Posts: 1,232
Yeah, I learned that from the 4th phone rep, but the website gave me a cancel button but said call to modify, so I figured I'll call since I'm modifying. I later learned it redeposits instantly, and that would have been the way to do it.
Oct 24, 2021, 8:26 am
#10
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 1,270
24K Points Rooms Available But Not Free Chase Night?
Recently searched to use my chase free night cert and found hotel offering points rooms at 24K but not offering chase free night rooms. Called IHG support as per the webpage result and all they could do was suggest to try again after a month to see if the chase free night rate had been loaded by the hotel. Why would points rates be available but not chase free night rates? Is there something about the chase free night award that is less appealing to a hotel than a points rate?
Oct 25, 2021, 4:46 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: MRY/SFO
Programs: UA Platinum; IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 458
Recently searched to use my chase free night cert and found hotel offering points rooms at 24K but not offering chase free night rooms. Called IHG support as per the webpage result and all they could do was suggest to try again after a month to see if the chase free night rate had been loaded by the hotel. Why would points rates be available but not chase free night rates? Is there something about the chase free night award that is less appealing to a hotel than a points rate?
Oct 30, 2021, 4:26 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 5
Recently searched to use my chase free night cert and found hotel offering points rooms at 24K but not offering chase free night rooms. Called IHG support as per the webpage result and all they could do was suggest to try again after a month to see if the chase free night rate had been loaded by the hotel. Why would points rates be available but not chase free night rates? Is there something about the chase free night award that is less appealing to a hotel than a points rate?
The other annoying issue is when some properties require >1 nights for any booking. I was trying to book 3 nights with the hope of using points and/or cash for two nights and the Chase Free night for one night. Called IHG support and they told me that because the free night cert would be a separate and since the property requires >1 night, I would be unable to use the free night certificate. It did not matter that I was booking two consecutive nights with cash/points following the cert night.
Nov 2, 2021, 1:52 pm
#13
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
Loyalty programs are largely unregulated, and IHG can mostly do what it wants. But the same is not true for credit cards - those are heavily regulated, and the Chase free night is a credit card benefit.
Here's what Chase says on the card application site:
Bolding mine. There's no other exclusions, and no indication that some <= 40K nights may not be redeemable.
If a single night is available on points but not with the cert, I'd escalate to a supervisor, and if that fails, then file a complaint with the CPFB.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Here's what Chase says on the card application site:
Anniversary Night
Anniversary Night will be available for redemption on your account anniversary date each year. "Account anniversary open date" is the date that is twelve months after your account open date, and the same date each twelve months thereafter. Anniversary Night is valid at IHG® Hotels with a current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less, and must be redeemed, and stay must be completed, within 12 months from date of issue. Anniversary Night is valid at IHG® hotels with current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less (covers one standard room night and tax only). Visit ihg.com to view current redemption levels. You are responsible for all incidental charges such as parking fees, and payment of mandatory resort fees at properties where resort fees are charged. 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 Night can be booked online at ihg.com or by calling IHG® Rewards Club at 1-877-318-5890. Anniversary 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 Night. Cancellation fees apply if cancellation is made outside of the hotel's cancellation time period. Anniversary Night rules and regulations are subject to change. To receive Anniversary Night communications, members must maintain a valid email address in the IHG Rewards Club member profile and opt in to receive IHG® Rewards Club e-communications. Chase is not responsible for offer fulfillment. 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.
Anniversary Night will be available for redemption on your account anniversary date each year. "Account anniversary open date" is the date that is twelve months after your account open date, and the same date each twelve months thereafter. Anniversary Night is valid at IHG® Hotels with a current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less, and must be redeemed, and stay must be completed, within 12 months from date of issue. Anniversary Night is valid at IHG® hotels with current point redemption level of 40,000 points or less (covers one standard room night and tax only). Visit ihg.com to view current redemption levels. You are responsible for all incidental charges such as parking fees, and payment of mandatory resort fees at properties where resort fees are charged. 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 Night can be booked online at ihg.com or by calling IHG® Rewards Club at 1-877-318-5890. Anniversary 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 Night. Cancellation fees apply if cancellation is made outside of the hotel's cancellation time period. Anniversary Night rules and regulations are subject to change. To receive Anniversary Night communications, members must maintain a valid email address in the IHG Rewards Club member profile and opt in to receive IHG® Rewards Club e-communications. Chase is not responsible for offer fulfillment. 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.
If a single night is available on points but not with the cert, I'd escalate to a supervisor, and if that fails, then file a complaint with the CPFB.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/