IHG Free Night Certificate Guide and 40,000 Hotel List [2021]

With almost 6,000 properties worldwide, IHG has your back covered for using your IHG free night certificate. The IHG free night certificate, also known as the IHG Chase anniversary free night, is given when you hold two particular IHG credit cards from Chase. The free night is usable at hotels that cost 40,000 IHG points or less.

The properties where you can your your free night vary greatly. Some properties are on the beach in far to reach destinations around the world and some might be an InterContinental located in a major city in Europe or North America.

In this article, I go into detail of how to get an IHG free night certificate, how to use the IHG free night certificate, and the best hotels in the world to use the IHG free night certificate. Then I provide a long list of hotels that cost 40,000 points at the end of the article.

What is the IHG free night certificate?

The IHG free night certificate, also known as the IHG Chase Anniversary Free Night, is a benefit of the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and the IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card. On your card membership anniversary, you receive a free night certificate at any IHG property in the world equal to 40,000 IHG points per night.

So, you could use the free night certificate at any IHG property that costs 40,000 points or less. When using the certificate, it uses none of your points, just the certificate itself is used. Down below, I explain how and where you should use your IHG free night certificate.

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How to get the IHG free night certificate

There are two credit cards that give you the IHG free night certificate.

IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card

Issued by Chase, the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card is a great bang for your buck card in terms of benefits received and decently low annual fee. (Read the detailed review here.)

Some of the benefits from holding this card:

• Earn 10 points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG hotels
• Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants
• Fourth night free when using points
• Anniversary Free Night Certificate
• Platinum Elite status at IHG
• Cell Phone Protection (up to $800?) per claim and $1,000 per year effective November 17, 2019
• No foreign transaction fees
• Save At Least 20% on Points Purchases
• Global Entry or TSA Pre Fee Credit
• Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 a year
• $89 annual fee

There are two benefits on the card that are super valuable. The fourth night free when using points can be a huge points saver. This allows you to save 25% every time you book four consecutive nights in a row. This benefit is unique to the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card.

The anniversary free night certificate is valued at 40,000 IHG points. Meaning, you cannot use the free night certificate for a property valued over 40,000 points. While this limits the use of the free night, the free night priced at 40,000 points can still come in good use when you don’t want to use points or cash.

Both of these benefits together can save you huge amounts of money and points, especially as the free night certificate comes every year after you renew the card. It basically pays for the annual fee.

IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card

The IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card isn’t open to new applications, but if you hold this card you are grandfathered into the benefits.

• Earn 5 points per $1 spent when you stay at IHG hotels
• Anniversary Free Night Certificate
• Platinum Elite status at IHG
• No foreign transaction fees
• $49 annual fee

The benefits on this card are lackluster. I wouldn’t use this card every month or even when I am paying for an IHG property. In fact, if I am staying at an IHG property, I would use my Chase Sapphire Reserve as I value Chase Ultimate Rewards much more than IHG Rewards Points.

Nonetheless, this card is still super good. The free night certificate is now the same as the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card, but with a lower annual fee. As there is a lower annual fee, the free night certificate pays for itself without much effort.

If you are still holding this card, keep holding it. In fact, get the other card too. So you can have two free night certificates, 4th night free, and other unique IHG benefits.

How to use the IHG free night certificate

Using the IHG free night certificate is as easy as logging into your IHG account.

After you log into your IHG Rewards Club account, you will want to go to the account profile page, also known as “my account” or account overview. On your account profile page, you can see all sorts of information about your status, how many nights you stayed, points balance, and free nights.

Notice on my account, there are two free nights available as I hold both the IHG Rewards Club Premier Credit Card and IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card.

When you click on the free night(s) link, you will see the free night(s) you have available and their expiration date. As I have two available, two are ready for me to use at any time.

Once you’re ready to use your free night certificate, all you have to do is click “book free night”.

If you already know that you have a free night certificate you can use, you can skip the steps above and go straight to searching.

When searching from the homepage, make sure you’re signed in to your IHG account. After you made sure you’re signed in, when searching the location of the property you want to stay and the dates, you will want to select “Chase Anniversary Free Night” from the “rate preference” dropdown.

It’s important to only search one night at a time if you want to use the certificate. If you want to have a multiple night booking, just make two bookings.

Once you made the bookings, just call in and explain to the hotel that you have two bookings and want to join them together. If you don’t want to call in, the property should accommodate you at check-in joining your reservations together. Both have worked for me.

When you search for the property, you will see the word “free” in the place of the price for every property shown. 

Only properties that are eligible for the free night, aka less than 40,000 points, will be shown as free.

Once you selected the property, you will be brought to the rooms available page. You will want to select the “standard” tab. Under the standard tab, you can see the room(s) available for using your free night certificate.

After selecting the room you want, you will be directed to the rates page. You will see rates for using cash, points, and your free night certificate. All you have to do to use your free night certificate is to select the one that says “free”.

Lastly, it will show the total on the next page. Notice it still says free and that’s the only price you will pay for the room.

Next, you complete your booking, you’re all good to go to enjoy your free night.

What is the cancellation policy for the free night?

The free night certificate cancellation policy will differ at every property. Some will allow free cancellations up to a couple of days before check-in and some might allow free cancellations the same day, but if you want to check the cancellation policy of the property, it’s easy.

To check the cancellation policy for an IHG property, you will see it on the page when selecting the rate you want and the payment page before you book the reservation.

Here is another example of the cancellation policy for when you use the IHG free night certificate. 

Read more about the IHG cancellation policy here.

Can you use the IHG free night certificate for someone else?

Yes, you can use the IHG free night certificate for someone else, even when you aren’t staying at the property.

For redeeming your free night certificate for someone else, you just have to call IHG customer support. They will be able to use their name for the primary on the reservation instead of yours.

You can call IHG at +1-877-859-5095.

Best hotels to use your IHG free night certificate

There are many great places to use your IHG free night certificate, but here are a few of the best IHG hotels in the world to use your free night certificate.

Remember, when using your free night certificate, the property must cost 40,000 points or less.

InterContinental Bali Resort

The InterContinental Bali Resort is generally priced well, but during peak season, it can get pricey making it a perfect time for using your free night certificate. 

Plus, you’re right on the beach for beautiful sunset views over the Indian Ocean with some of the best hospitality in the world being in Indonesia. 

InterContinental Bangkok

The InterContinental Bangkok offers a good club lounge, location, and room in one of the most popular cities in the world. It’s right next to public transport, but still outside of the party locations filled with many people staying up late.

With high nightly prices, this is a great place to use your free night certificate. 

InterContinental Prague

Prague is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s not too expensive but still a quality city that puts other western Europe cities to shame. The InterContinental Prague is not cheap, so the InterContinental Prague being priced at 40,000 points is a great use for the free night certificate. 

InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort

Cancun isn’t for everyone, but if you love Cancun, the InterContinental Presidente Cancun Resort should be on your list.

The resort is perfect for both families and couples with activities for all. It’s overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters where it’s always warm and ready for your next adventure. If you’re looking for a prime party location, it’s not the resort for you.

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City

Known as Salt Lake City’s most dynamic hotel, the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City is making its name for one of the best boutique chain hotels in the world. Kimpton properties are known as a trendy boutique hotel chain with unique secret passwords for raid the bar.

If you had to use your free night certificate in the USA, Salt Lake City is a great destination, but also great for value as the free night certificate can get great value out of this property for nightly prices regularly in the high $200s.

InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah

The InterContinental Jakarta Pondok Indah is almost a year old making it one of the newest InterContinental properties in the world. It offers direct access to a shopping mall offering premium stores. It is also located in the capital of Indonesia, Jakarta.

Being in Jakarta, you can eat your heart away with many local and international food options of savory and sweet dishes.

InterContinental Berlin

Berlin is filled with lots of history and the InterContinental Berlin accommodates you with close proximity to Brandenburg Gate, but outside of touristy central Berlin. With German hospitality and attentive service, you would enjoy your time at the InterContinental Berlin both on business and tourism. 

InterContinental Budapest

Budapest is one of my favorite eastern European major cities. Located on the Pest side of Budapest, the InterContinental Budapest is right on the river-facing Buda. It’s classic InterContinental in terms of service and design.

From my experience, it’s worth it for using your free night certificate, especially as cash prices are high during all seasons. 

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

Yes, it’s Crowne Plaza, but hear me out. The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is great. One, it’s great for the location. Connected right to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) you don’t have to exit the airport to access the hotel. Two, it has great views of the apron and runways where you can see any aircraft type you can imagine.

Rates are normally over $200 for the base room making this a great use for your free night certificate if you have a layover in Singapore.

Hotel Indigo Shanghai On The Bund

Right on the Bund, the Hotel Indigo Shanghai On The Bund overlooks Pudong. The location is great if you want views and a semi central hotel. As an Indigo property, it feels like a boutique property with a unique design influenced by its location.

Cash rates aren’t that high, but still a great place for redeeming your free night certificate at.

InterContinental Lisbon

Currently finishing up its massive room renovations, the InterContinental Lisbon is central in beautiful Lisbon. Cash rates are high during peak travel season (summer) making this a great property to use your free night certificate.

InterContinental Saigon

Ho Chi Minh is a must-visit city in Vietnam if you ever visit. It has great food, clubs, and sights to see. Plus, it’s the hub to the rest of Vietnam and South East Asia making it easy to get anywhere you might wish.

The InterContinental Saigon is usually priced above $200 making it a great property to redeem your free night certificate for both the value and location of the property.

InterContinental Madrid

The InterContinental Madrid is centrally located by multiple metro stations connecting you to the rest of the city and suburbs.

It’s right on the main avenue going through Madrid where there are great walks and parks nearby. You can also find great cafes and restaurants all around. Plus, the hotel is priced over $200 making the free night certificate come into some good use here.

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

If you happen to be in Fiji, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is the best property to use the free night certificate at. It’s on the beach in beautiful Fiji where the water is always turquoise blue. It’s also great in terms of value as rates are over $300 usually making the free night certificate super valuable at this property. 

I for one will be using my free night certificate here next time in Fiji.

IHG properties that cost 40,000 points

If the best hotels list above doesn’t help you, here is an extensive list of IHG properties worldwide. These should allow you to see what type of properties are around the world giving you ideas of destinations to use our IHG free night certificate.

I didn’t include every hotel and every brand, but I did include premium hotels from premium brands. 

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Asia

ANA Crowne Plaza Sapporo

Crowne Plaza Macau

Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central

Holiday Inn Macau

Holiday Inn Osaka Namba

InterContinental Grand Seoul Parnas

InterContinental OneThousand Island Lake Resort

Caribbean

Holiday Inn Resort Aruba-Beach Resort & Casino

Europe

Crowne Plaza Amsterdam – South

Crowne Plaza Barcelona – Fira Center

Crowne Plaza Chester

Crowne Plaza Dublin – Blanchardstown

Crowne Plaza Geneva

Crowne Plaza London – Battersea

Crowne Plaza London – Kings Cross

Crowne Plaza Lyon – Cite Internationale

Crowne Plaza Maastricht

Crowne Plaza Manchester City Centre

Crowne Plaza Milan City

Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre

Holiday Inn Edinburgh

Holiday Inn Frankfurt – Alte Oper

Holiday Inn London – Kensington High St.

Holiday Inn London – Oxford Circus

Holiday Inn Nice – Saint Laurent du Var

Holiday Inn Paris – Elysées

Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de l’Est

Holiday Inn Paris – Gare de Lyon Bastille

Hotel Indigo Liverpool

Hotel Indigo London – Kensington

Hotel Indigo Madrid – Gran Via

InterContinental Ljubljana

Principal Oxford Spires

QO Amsterdam

voco Oxford Thames

voco St. David’s Cardiff

Wotton House

Middle East

InterContinental Fujairah Resort

InterContinental Mzaar (Mountain Resort & Spa)

voco Dubai

North America

Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts Asheville

Crowne Plaza JFK Airport New York City

EVEN Hotels Brooklyn

Holiday Inn & Suites Anaheim (1 Blk/Disneyland®)

Holiday Inn & Suites Asheville Downtown

Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown

Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown

Holiday Inn & Suites Nashville Dtwn – Conv Ctr

Holiday Inn & Suites Oakland – Airport

Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW – Celebration Area

Holiday Inn & Suites Vancouver Downtown

Holiday Inn Asheville – Biltmore West

Holiday Inn Brooklyn Downtown

Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas

Holiday Inn Chicago-Mart Plaza River North

Holiday Inn Ft. Lauderdale-Airport

Holiday Inn Grand Rapids Downtown

Holiday Inn L.I. City-Manhattan View

Holiday Inn LaGuardia Airport

Holiday Inn Louisville Airport – Fair/Expo

Holiday Inn New Orleans-Downtown Superdome

Holiday Inn New York City – Wall Street

Holiday Inn New York JFK Airport Area

Holiday Inn Niagara Falls-Scenic Downtown

Holiday Inn NYC – Lower East Side

Holiday Inn Oceanfront @ Surfside Beach

Holiday Inn Oceanside Camp Pendleton Area

Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs® Area

Holiday Inn Portland-By The Bay

Holiday Inn Resort Daytona Beach Oceanfront

Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos All Inclusive

Holiday Inn Rosslyn @ Key Bridge

Holiday Inn San Francisco Airport

Holiday Inn Sarasota-Airport

Holiday Inn Seattle Downtown – Lake Union

Holiday Inn South Kingstown (Newport Area)

Holiday Inn Steamboat Springs

Hotel Indigo Brooklyn

Holiday Inn Windsor – Wine Country

Hotel Indigo Long Island – East End

Hotel Indigo Mount Pleasant

Hotel Indigo Sarasota

InterContinental At Doral Miami

InterContinental Houston – Medical Center

Kimpton Cardinal Hotel

Kimpton Overland Hotel

Kimpton Schofield Hotel

South Pacific

Crowne Plaza Auckland

Holiday Inn Darling Harbour

Holiday Inn Melbourne Airport

Holiday Inn Melbourne on Flinders

Holiday Inn Potts Point-Sydney

Holiday Inn Sydney Airport

InterContinental Adelaide

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort

Kirkton Park Htl Hunter Valley

Final word

I do hope you found this guide to the IHG free night certificate helpful for picking the best next hotel for your travels. If you did stay at any of these properties. Please let us know what you thought of it in the comments down below.

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.