Chase IHG

Hanoi IG

Level 2 Member
OK, was gonna pass on this as we rarely stay in InterCon but I recall that Mark Hopkins is in this group and we plan a week in San Francisco next summer. Prefer the Fairmont but if some was free, the Mark is certainly at least acceptable. Shabby chic as I recall from a visit in 2008
 

GetawaysRus

Level 2 Member
What's your question?

I (and my wife) have had this card for a number of years. The annual fee has so far stayed at $49. It offers one annual free night at an IHG property and IHG Platinum status. I find it easy to get more than $49 value from the annual free night. For example, I might need a one night stay at an airport hotel before an early flight. Or perhaps I need a one night stay in the middle of a road trip. And sometimes I can use the free night at a more expensive hotel. I remember that we stayed at the Intercontinental in Porto, Portugal for 2 nights using each of our free night certs. As Plats, we got a corner room facing the main square.
 

Belisarius

Level 2 Member
OK, was gonna pass on this as we rarely stay in InterCon but I recall that Mark Hopkins is in this group and we plan a week in San Francisco next summer. Prefer the Fairmont but if some was free, the Mark is certainly at least acceptable. Shabby chic as I recall from a visit in 2008
Are you the guy who just starts chatting to me in the grocery line about crab grass?
 

knick1959

Level 2 Member
OK, was gonna pass on this as we rarely stay in InterCon but I recall that Mark Hopkins is in this group and we plan a week in San Francisco next summer. Prefer the Fairmont but if some was free, the Mark is certainly at least acceptable. Shabby chic as I recall from a visit in 2008
My wife and I each have an IHG card. Have for a long time, although I canceled mine awhile back and scored a new one, for the bonus, back when that was easier than it is today.

It IS worth the annual fee as at $49 you get a free night. However, I've been questioning the value of these certs over time. Holiday Inn is easy ... we used to pick them when we paid (and still often do) and they are everywhere. It's a no-brainer for a basic overnight, and quite often they have surprised us.

However, paying $49 for a $100-110 score isn't all they exceptional. I'll keep doing it, because to stop now would shock the system. I had to spreadsheet re-evaluate my Club Carlson scheme recently (spending $10k a year on 3 cards to get 3 certs). The value of one of these certs for us has been in the same range - low level hotels usually. The MS work for this is not too much, but a number of trips to WM and floating GCs? Well, the spreadsheet shows that each cert PLUS the 50k points ($10k x 5) are worth the cost. Again, we're not killing it with these, but this is another couple of free basic nights.

The Hyatt certs seem harder to use. I have managed to use my last one (I killed my own card) on this SUNDAY actually, 2 days before it expires. Was left over from a previous trip mishap where I missed using it and for whatever reason, they credited it back. I need to take a look at my wife's card to see if we should keep going with this scheme. I know I have had a Hyatt cert or 2 expire in the past. Can't have that happening when we're paying a fee!

All small potatoes, but it adds up when you multiply 100+ (as a bare minimum for a hotel room) times a number of certs.
 
Last edited:

GetawaysRus

Level 2 Member
However, paying $49 for a $100-110 score isn't all they exceptional.
All small potatoes, but it adds up...
If you think about it, a lot of the what we do in this hobby isn't all that exceptional. As knick says, it's largely about small gains, over and over and over. There's the occasional big score, such as meeting the spend on a new credit card. But, by staying at the little stuff consistently, by the end of the year I've accumulated enough miles/points to start planning another grand vacation at a modest cost. All those small potatoes allow my wife and I to travel in a style that would otherwise be unaffordable and to create some wonderful memories.
 

AnyNameYouWish

Level 2 Member
However, paying $49 for a $100-110 score isn't all they exceptional.
It's not exceptional but it's still a no brainer. I don't recall if it's still going on now but getting 80k points for a 1k spend is easy peasy too. We had no problem finding use for those points.
 

DavidNJ

Level 2 Member
We used both our free night for NYE Time Square a couple years ago @ the Crowne Plaza. Cash cost for two rooms w/ tax was $5K. Stay was counted as paid, received 40K plus points and they threw in breakfast for 4. I'd say that was a good return! Used our two nights in Feb. 2017 @ IC Cancun. There was a swim from Cancun to Isla Mujeres so the hotel was fully booked. Standard room was $600. Typically, standard is about $300 that time of year. Having Ambassador & Spire gave us two upgrades to Oceanfront suite & they threw in lounge which is worth about $600 per night including tax. We won't be getting rid of the IHG card anytime soon!
 

Suzie

Level 2 Member
I can recommend The Willard IC in DC. Gorgeous and great location. They upgraded us to a two room corner suite with two full baths. And the service was outstanding. We used two free night certs - mine and spouse, under two different reservations and it was no problem to stay in same room both nights.

The nights we were there the regular king rooms were upwards of $550/night - so definitely worth $49. We've used free night certs at IC's in Aqaba, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, also. I find the certs easy to use.
 

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
I can recommend The Willard IC in DC. Gorgeous and great location. They upgraded us to a two room corner suite with two full baths. And the service was outstanding. We used two free night certs - mine and spouse, under two different reservations and it was no problem to stay in same room both nights.

The nights we were there the regular king rooms were upwards of $550/night - so definitely worth $49. We've used free night certs at IC's in Aqaba, Amsterdam and Hong Kong, also. I find the certs easy to use.
The I/C Willard is one of the best redemptions in the United States. Historical hotel where multiple historic events took place.
 

Hanoi IG

Level 2 Member
What's your question?

I (and my wife) have had this card for a number of years. The annual fee has so far stayed at $49. It offers one annual free night at an IHG property and IHG Platinum status. I find it easy to get more than $49 value from the annual free night. For example, I might need a one night stay at an airport hotel before an early flight. Or perhaps I need a one night stay in the middle of a road trip. And sometimes I can use the free night at a more expensive hotel. I remember that we stayed at the Intercontinental in Porto, Portugal for 2 nights using each of our free night certs. As Plats, we got a corner room facing the main square.
Wasn't a question was just a post telling what I decided to do. One time I was told I was a "taker" and to post info if I had it. Guess this doesn't qualify.
 

Hanoi IG

Level 2 Member
So I took the 100K/$2000 and signed my wife up for the 80K/$1000. I got instant approval for $33000 line. She was delayed but they called and approved her by moving a few bucks from CSR which we won't miss. We always stay in Sofitels where they exist and have been using Hilton as backup but I'm sure we can find a place(like SF) to use these points.
 

currid7

Level 2 Member
NYE means New Year's Eve. Crown Plaza Time Square is already sold out for NYE this year.
Not the best redemption mathematically, but I was able to do cash / points for upgraded room at Intercontinental Times Square to watch the ball drop in Times Square and next day propose in Central Park. Ended up spending < $1,000 on basically a last minute trip for rooms that were over that per night.
 

ChrisM

New Member
I can echo sentiments about the Willard. I proposed to my wife in one of the suites at the hotel - the hotel's employees really went above and beyond to make it a special weekend for us.
 

misenlai

Level 2 Member
I can echo sentiments about the Willard. I proposed to my wife in one of the suites at the hotel - the hotel's employees really went above and beyond to make it a special weekend for us.
going there for a friend's wedding soon. Will find out :)
 

heavenlyjane

Level 2 Member
I can echo sentiments about the Willard. I proposed to my wife in one of the suites at the hotel - the hotel's employees really went above and beyond to make it a special weekend for us.
When we were there, we commented to the front desk that their locally-made turn-down chocolates were classy. That evening we have a complimentary gift basket awaiting us full of chocolate by the same chocolatier. It's the little touches that make lifelong happy memories.
 

currid7

Level 2 Member
I also like getting the 10% rebate on points stay that is a perk of this card.
Pretty off topic, but another decent benefit is $0.06 off per gallon at Shell stations. Link up to Fuel Rewards and you'll get the discount at the pump after putting in your phone number. Better than nothing
 

LoveTravellingFree

Level 2 Member
I'm thinking about cancelling mine because I've had them for 28 months so it is time for a new sign up bonus. Credit scores are still good. Any problems with cancelling and then re-applying for new bonus in a month?
 

italdesign

Level 2 Member
I canceled mine awhile back and scored a new one, for the bonus, back when that was easier than it is today.
It's still easy. Last month: cancelled #1, applied for #2 in exactly 7 days, already got the bonus and matched to 100k.

However, paying $49 for a $100-110 score isn't all they exceptional.
If I don't get at least $300 value out of a no-cap free night, I feel like I wasted it. Ideally they would would all be spent at the likes of Park Hyatt Maldives, Conrad Bora Bora, and Intercontinental Da Nang, though life schedule doesn't always permit.
 

italdesign

Level 2 Member
I'm thinking about cancelling mine because I've had them for 28 months so it is time for a new sign up bonus. Credit scores are still good. Any problems with cancelling and then re-applying for new bonus in a month?
Don't need to wait a month. See my post above. Not sure what the minimum waiting period is, and it may be based on something besides an absolute number.

I wanted to get in before 100k ended so acted quickly.
 

TheBOSman

Moderator
Staff member
If I don't get at least $300 value out of a no-cap free night, I feel like I wasted it. Ideally they would would all be spent at the likes of Park Hyatt Maldives, Conrad Bora Bora, and Intercontinental Da Nang, though life schedule doesn't always permit.
I keep using mine at the IC Boston as of late, night before a mid-morning flight the following day (remember I live in Austin now). Hotel prices in Boston are ridiculous, and the hotel is very well located for me. And it is very often over $400 for the cash price for the night, think it is pushing $500 for my night this year; even if I say "I'd never pay that", hotels of any reasonable quality with decent access to Logan Airport are frequently $200+. So, my $49 is well spent for the second year in a row at the IC Boston, not that previous years have been too shabby either :D.
 

italdesign

Level 2 Member
I keep using mine at the IC Boston as of late, night before a mid-morning flight the following day (remember I live in Austin now). Hotel prices in Boston are ridiculous, and the hotel is very well located for me. And it is very often over $400 for the cash price for the night, think it is pushing $500 for my night this year; even if I say "I'd never pay that", hotels of any reasonable quality with decent access to Logan Airport are frequently $200+. So, my $49 is well spent for the second year in a row at the IC Boston, not that previous years have been too shabby either :D.
Surprisingly the cat4 Hyatt Boston was $200 all in when I stayed in Jan. It was "painful" to not even get 1.5 cpp on the anniversary free night (if we think of it as 15k), but I survived :p

I used to think airport stays were a waste too (basically anything short of Amazing Aspirational Stay). Now with awards increasingly harder and need more positioning flights, I'm slowly adjusting expectations.
 

LoveTravellingFree

Level 2 Member
Agree that less than 1.5 cpp isn't the goal, but it's all how it fits the overall travel schedule!


Surprisingly the cat4 Hyatt Boston was $200 all in when I stayed in Jan. It was "painful" to not even get 1.5 cpp on the anniversary free night (if we think of it as 15k), but I survived :p

I used to think airport stays were a waste too (basically anything short of Amazing Aspirational Stay). Now with awards increasingly harder and need more positioning flights, I'm slowly adjusting expectations.
 

LoveTravellingFree

Level 2 Member
Don't need to wait a month. See my post above. Not sure what the minimum waiting period is, and it may be based on something besides an absolute number.

I wanted to get in before 100k ended so acted quickly.
I just got denied for still having the card. I had cancelled it 12 days prior to my application and had paid the card off in full 3 days prior to application. It must be a fluke thing or a paid off thing because my wife was approved with 12 days after cancellation and 14 days after paid in full.

I will wait another month or so before re-applying.
 

italdesign

Level 2 Member
Bummer. Was it a system hard-coded thing, or a human determination?

I repeated for another family member about 10 days after cancelling their #1, also approved and bonus confirmed.
 

LoveTravellingFree

Level 2 Member
Bummer. Was it a system hard-coded thing, or a human determination?

I repeated for another family member about 10 days after cancelling their #1, also approved and bonus confirmed.
It was from the system. I might have luck calling and getting it reconsidered, but don't really want eyes on the fact I cancelled it and applied again 2 weeks later. I will just wait a month or so.
 
Top