Check your account: IHG announces yet another reward night certificate extension
Editor's Note
Here's some great news if you've been sitting on expiring IHG reward night certificates: IHG has announced yet another extension. In particular, reward nights set to expire Aug. 31, 2021 will now be valid through Dec. 31, 2021. Here's everything you need to know.
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IHG's statements on free night extensions
Last year, IHG Rewards extended reward nights expiring between March and December 2020 to Dec. 31, 2020. But, as the December expiration date approached, IHG announced another extension.
On Dec. 16, 2020, an IHG spokesperson provided the following statement to me:
We’ve continually monitored the impact of the global pandemic and have responded with program changes and increased flexibility to better serve our IHG Rewards members. We understand that, right now, some members may need more time to use their certificates to travel when they feel ready.
This week, we’re announcing to cardmembers that they will have until August 31, 2021 to use Anniversary Night certificates originally set to expire in 2020. Cardmembers will begin to see a new Anniversary Night certificate with a redemption period through August 31, 2021 in their accounts. These certificates will be deposited on a rolling basis, through the end of the week.
As a reminder, earlier this year we announced that all Anniversary Night certificates deposited in 2020 had an 18-month redemption period to give members more time to travel.
And in December 2020, IHG sent out the following email to IHG Rewards cardholders with anniversary night certificates set to expire on Dec. 31, 2020:
Now today, IHG sent out a new email to members. This email notified members that IHG extended the Aug. 31, 2021 expiration date to Dec. 31, 2021.
I'm thrilled that IHG Rewards is offering new anniversary night certificates for cardmembers who have not yet redeemed their certificates set to expire in August. But you may have more questions. So, in the next section, I explain in more detail how this extension works in practice.
Related: Why I often choose IHG and Choice hotels, despite limited elite perks
How does this extension work in practice?
My husband and I had three certificates set to expire on Aug. 31, 2021, but all three certificates now show an expiration date of Dec. 31, 2021. IHG confirmed that expiring IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card certificates, as well as Select and Select Uncapped certificates, will all be treated the same way.
I also asked IHG about members who may have an expiring certificate in their account that is currently tied to an upcoming stay. IHG confirmed that if a cardmember cancels a reservation made with a certificate that was set to expire on Aug. 31, 2021, they will have until Dec. 31, 2021 to rebook once the certificate is redeposited.
Related: Top hotels for redeeming the IHG Premier Card’s anniversary reward night
Bottom line
I'm thrilled that IHG Rewards has decided to extend the expiring reward night certificates by extending expiration dates to Dec. 31, 2021. This latest round of extensions gives IHG loyalists more time to plan out travel during the ongoing global pandemic. But, although this announcement is excellent for those of us who held on to our expiring certificates, it doesn't help members who already stayed on sub-optimal redemptions.
As with many hotel credit cards with annual reward nights, I'm generally happy to pay the annual fee on the IHG Premier due to the card's anniversary night. But, using hotel reward night certificates during the pandemic has been challenging. So I'm thrilled to have through the end of 2021 to use all of the IHG anniversary nights I've accumulated during the pandemic.
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- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees