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My husband and I each own two credit cards that give us a free night annually (after paying the card’s annual fee). Those cards are the Hyatt and IHG co-branded Chase cards. Usually, we get good value for our free night certificates with stays that cost at least double what we’re paying for the annual fee.
Of course, the last year or two have been more challenging to use these free nights with pandemic limiting travel. Last year, I used my free night to stay at a Holiday Inn down the street! Our neighborhood pool was closed all summer due to Covid, and this hotel pool staycation was just what we needed.
I much prefer Hyatt hotels over IHG. I’ve actually been thinking about canceling my IHG card. However, my newest free night certificate just came in handy for an upcoming trip..
Crowne Plaza Geneva
As I mentioned last week, my flight home from Switzerland this upcoming summer was changed by the airline. As a result, we are now departing a day later, and we need to stay in Geneva the night before our 7 a.m. flight.
I immediately looked to my free night certificates to see if any would work for this extra night. IHG has an impressive footprint in Europe. Currently, IHG has 675 locations in Europe with 143 more on the way. (Hyatt only has 59 locations in Europe).
There are two choices that would work with my IHG free night certificate. I chose the Crowne Plaza Geneva. For the night we needed, it was 39,000 points or about $200 cash rate.
I picked this hotel due to its proximity to the airport and its free airport shuttle. With a very early morning flight, I want things to be as easy as possible.
Future Travel Plans
After our upcoming trip to France and Switzerland, I am tentatively planning two more trips to Europe in the next few years. We plan to take our kids to Russia the following summer and add on a few nearby countries. And, I hope to visit Norway soon after. Based on those plans, it makes sense for me to hang onto my IHG card.
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Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
I can’t let go of the old ihg card for a $49 “free” night stay per year per card. We always find some way to use them. Disneyland is the best use when we go there (cash rates are $200-350 per night)! But if not, airport stays or overnight in our extended family’s rural town is always needed 🙂
I would not let go of that $49 annual fee card either!
We stayed two nights at the Holiday Inn in Cannes France this summer while using IHG certificates from my wife and I’s IHG CCs. We definitely got more value than the CC annual fee. As close to the beach as you can get, walking distance from a train station, it was awesome. Can’t wait to go back.
@Jay that sounds like a great use of those certificates! I’m tempted to check into that location myself.
IHG certs are great for early flight airport stays! That’s one of the reasons I hang on to our cards. I know you are paying $89 fee, but it’s still a good deal (most of the time).