IHG is changing award redemption rates at more than 600 properties effective January 14, 2019. They have not officially communicated these changes, but you can find a list here.
The bad news is that of course most properties on the list are increasing in price, generally by 5,000 points (some by 10,000). The good news is that there are a number of Kimpton properties decreasing in price in the US, one of which (the Kimpton Monaco Baltimore, is decreasing from 40K to 35K points per night. That keeps the Kimpton Monaco Baltimore within the realm of the annual free night on the IHG Rewards club credit cards (both the $49 and $89 fee variants), which come with an annual night valid at properties that charge up to 40K (note that those with the $49 card will still enjoy an uncapped free night on certificates issued by May 1, 2019 — certificates issued after that date are capped at 40K).
View from the Wing points out that the Intercontinental Hanoi will drop in price from 35K to 30K, which is welcome news for those who need to position for the New Year’s Eve Cathay Pacific business and first class fares.
If you want to lock in a rate now for a property increasing in price, don’t miss your chance this week.
H/T: Loyalty Lobby
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Might be time to let this card go? To hard to accumlate points for the casual traveler and does not make sense to transfer UR points to the program. Am I missing something besides the free night!
Not that I can see I just dumped mine not worth the nite for the annual fee.Can be hard to find one in Hawaii .