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We recently saw Hyatt offering points for certain awards, and now it seems IHG is doing the same for free night awards. Given that IHG didn’t extend awards that expired at the end of 2021, this could be a good way for members to get something in return for any awards that they weren’t able to use. Here are the details we’ve seen from members’ experiences.
Get Points for Your Expired IHG Free Night Awards
While IHG originally extended some free night awards from 2020 to 2021, those free night awards all expired on December 31, 2021. IHG extended Free Night Certificates issued in 2021. However, IHG didn't extend the 2020 certificates past December 31, 2021.
From data points and experiences shared in several places (such as here and here), we see that IHG has offered points in exchange for these expired free nights. Here’s how to see if you can get something — if this applies to you:
- Call 888.211.9874 and choose the option for “IHG Rewards account inquiry”.
- Ask if you can get points in exchange for your expired IHG free night awards
These awards are worth a maximum of 40,000 points each when redeeming for free nights. However, IHG is offering 25,000 points for them in most situations.
Some agents say members can’t have any points or extend the certificates – they’re just lost. There is no official IHG policy on this, so you may have to “HUCA” (hang up, call again). If you get something, the points will show up on your account as a “goodwill gesture”. Some members report needing multiple attempts calling IHG to actually reach a live person, and even then you might not receive anything.
Read more: How to Earn and Use IHG Award Night Certificates
Our Take
Inconsistency in the industry creates stress for everyone. It also creates longer hold times and difficulty in reaching a competent phone representative. While it’s nice that you might be able to get some points for your expired IHG free night awards, it would be even better if IHG had an official policy on this. Marriott, for example, has extended status and awards, and its members know what to expect. IHG and Hyatt are offering points in exchange for expiring awards – but only to members that request it. So, you need a bit of luck and maybe some social skills.
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All very dependent on who you get on the phone. She gave me 40,000 points for a credit card awarded free night certificate with a day left to expire. Shocked but then again I am Platinum – that probably made a difference.
Will this work for the Chase IHG free night cert?
This article is about one year old, so things may have changed. But if you had a Chase IHG free night cert expire, it’s worth asking IHG if you can get an extension.
anyone have luck recently? called twice so far. no luck
Called on 12/31/2021 and was offered 15,000 points first. Then I said how that sounds too little and asked if they would give 25,000 points instead. I was told that they would do 25,000 points due to me having Platinum status. 25,000 points were posted immediately as I was still on the phone with a customer service agent!
Well done!
This is impressive! Rather than having cancelled nights go to waste, they will return points for the cancelled nights. That’s wonderful! Happy New Year!
anyone have luck via email?
I have a free night expiring in February, 2022, and will not be able to use it. Does anyone have insight as to whether I can use this goodwill gesture (either before or after expiration)?
You can try reaching out ahead of time, but I’m guessing IHG wants to avoid members getting bonus points and still using the cert.
No luck on my call. By the way the rep said they are getting a lot of calls on this.
Seems fair, if you can get it.
I was offered 25,000 points when I called in to extend my Chase free night cert expiring on 12/31/2021. Accepted the offer as I can now combine it with my points total for an aspirational booking whereas with the cert I was limited on properties I could book.
Thank you for letting us know. I had a certificate that expired because I couldn’t use it to to covid travel restrictions. I’ll try to get points for it using the technique and phone number you gave. These posts are one reason I keep tuning in to AwardWallet even when not traveling
Awesome! Glad that we were able to help!