IHG Free Night Certificates Extension is Even Better Than Expected

Travel is still affected by the coronavirus pandemic. AAA says that 34 million fewer American are expected to travel this holiday season. So airlines and hotels have been accommodating customers with extensions for points and miles expiration, extended and even easier elite status and extension of free night certificates.

IHG was rumored to extend free night certificates expiring before December 31, 2020. The extension would be for an extra eight months, until August, 2021. But yesterday several data points started rolling in that certificates were being extended. Not everyone is seeing their certificates extended just yet, but they should be rolling in.

However this extension seems to be even better than expected. Instead of extending the expiring certificates, IHG is adding an additional free night that will expire on 8/31/21 to accounts that haven’t used their expiring free nights yet. And that expiring certificate is also left in the account and can actually be used until 12/31/20. DansDeals says he has received confirmation form IHG that members will be able to use both of those free nights without a problem. The new certificates will be of equal value and will be added automatically.

IHG has also said previously that anniversary night certificates issued in 2020 will be valid for 18 months.

Guru’s Wrap-up

With many people still not feeling comfortable with travel, or not being able to travel because of restrictions, this should be welcome news. If you have expiring IHG free nights, check your accounts to see if expiration dates have been updated. And if you can travel now, then this is a great time to make some last minute plans and double dip on this extension.

Also check out the Chase IHG Premier card that is currently offering the  highest ever 140,000 points bonus and gives you an annual anniversary night.