【Updated 2020/12】

  1. Marriott’s 2021 award category changes for 201 hotels: 51 up, 150 down
  2. Hyatt to offer complimentary COVID-19 testing at all of its hotels in Latin America

Hyatt

Hyatt to offer complimentary COVID-19 testing at all of its hotels in Latin America

Hyatt will offer complimentary COVID-19 testing at all of its hotels in Latin America (the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and South America). Each room will receive at least two complimentary COVID-19 tests, and additional tests can be purchased.

Marriott

Marriott’s 2021 award category changes for 201 hotels: 51 up, 150 down

Marriott officially announced that in 2021, 201 hotels will see changes to their award category levels, with 51 moving up and 150 moving down. The changes will take effect on March 3, 2021. Source: here.

IHG

Have some IHG free night certificates been extended, with an extra free night certificate added?

Some readers reported that their IHG free night certificates were finally extended, plus they received an additional free night certificate. But on my account, it still shows only the certificate expiring at the end of 2020 (without any extension), plus one free night certificate valid through 8/31/2021. It’s still unclear whether this extra certificate was given as a bonus or was meant to replace the certificate expiring at year-end. If you have time, you can check with customer service, and feel free to share your experience in the comments. If it really is an extra free certificate, readers in the U.S. may not have much use for the certificate expiring at the end of the year anyway, given how severe the pandemic still is, while readers in China would be in a much better position and could enjoy an extra night at an InterContinental.

IHG customer service confirms free night certificates expiring this year will be extended

Last night I did a live chat with IHG customer service, and the agent replied that certificate holders with free night certificates expiring in 2020 would be contacted before expiration by email and their certificates would be adjusted with an extension. The original reply is below:

"Thank you, Zhou. Please be informed that an email communication will be sent out later this month with regards to the anniversary certificates with a 2020 expiration date. Rest assured that an update will be provided before the 2020 certificate expires."

Summary of free night certificate expiration dates across major hotel chains

Older certificates expiring in 2020 New certificates issued in 2020
IHG A new certificate was issued, valid through 2021/8/31 18-month validity
Hilton Older certificates now expire on 2021/8/31 Expire on 2022/9/1
Hyatt Older certificates now expire on 2021/12/31 Expire on 2021/12/31
Marriott Older certificates now expire on 2021/12/31 Expire on 2021/12/31