Kimpton offers free drinks to guests with canceled or delayed flights
One major hotel chain is adding some empathy (with a side dose of humor) to the biggest headaches travelers have encountered this summer with some special packages that might include a free drink and a couple of extra amenities on your next stay. Best of all, the perks are free.
IHG recently announced two promotions at certain Kimpton hotels that hone in on this summer’s biggest pain points for travel. One involves a free drink for anyone who has a canceled or delayed flight, a frequent problem this summer. The other has to do with the extreme heat that has swept much of the country and world of late.
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The amenity that many travelers may be eligible for is the “Emotional Support Beverage.” Between now and Aug. 28, if you can show the hotel proof that your flight was canceled or delayed within 24 hours of check-in, you’ll get a free glass of wine or nonalcoholic beverage. Numerous Kimpton properties worldwide (though not all of them) are participating in this promotion.
Related: Browse available Kimpton properties and rates
There’s also a special package that alludes to a profane statement about just how hot it’s been in so many places. IHG is calling this the “Chill the Eff Out” package. Offered at 11 Kimpton properties in the U.S., this package of amenities includes a few "cool" touches: a welcome snack or drink, cooling pillowcases and blankets, a personal mobile fan, and a so-called Brr Butler that will bring cold towels, water bottles and ice to your room when you request them.
When you select this rate, IHG says it’ll also set your room to 65 degrees for your arrival which, I have to say, is an especially nice touch compared to what you usually encounter upon arriving in a room in the middle of a hot summer.
Related: 8 perks of Kimpton Inner Circle – and how to get an invite
The latter package is offered at Kimpton properties ranging from the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman, Montana, to the RiverPlace Hotel in Portland, Oregon, and the Muse Hotel in New York City.
At eligible properties, you can select the rate under "Offers" on the individual hotels’ sites.
Another property offering the package is the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt in Austin. Looking at the first full weekend in August, the package goes for $238 per night.
The package is also eligible for IHG One Rewards nights; just select "Reward Nights" in addition to the Chill the Eff Out package.
That same weekend in August comes to 42,500 points per night.
I checked cash and points rates there and at another property offering the deal, the Kimpton George Hotel in Washington, D.C. In both cases, you pay the same whether you select the package or not, so the biggest impact of clicking the right rate online may well be simply whether your room is set to a brisk 65 degrees before you get there.
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There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
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- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
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- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees