One of my favorite perks of being a Kimpton Inner Circle member is the free night benefit at new hotels. Unfortunately, this benefit has been lacking for the last several years. So, I’m excited to learn that the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night benefit is returning in 2020 in a big way. Yes, I know that we can’t really travel right now. So, this is something to look forward to later in the year. Let’s take a look at what’s available.
Read: IHG Free Night Certificates Will Be Extended, But Please Don’t Call Them Right Now
In This Post
What is Kimpton Inner Circle?
Kimpton Inner Circle is a legacy elite status leftover from when IHG acquired Kimpton several years ago. Inner Circle was the top-level status for Kimpton Karma Rewards.
Today, Kimpton Inner Circle status is an invite-only membership inside the IHG Rewards loyalty program. The qualifications are not publicly available. However, you must have IHG Spire Elite status at a minimum partially achieved by how much you spend with Kimpton, how many nights you stay, and how many properties you visit.
When you reach Kimpton Inner Circle status, you receive the following when you stay at Kimpton Hotels:
- A personalized welcome amenity
- New hotel free night a participating hotel
- Complimentary Chef’s Taste when dining at on-site Kimpton restaurants
- Premium internet connection
- Dedicated VIP phone line
- Guaranteed one category upgrade (it is not subject to availability)
- Guaranteed early check-in (10 am) and late check-out (4 pm)
- Waived amenity and destination fees (does not include resort fees)
- All benefits of IHG Spire Elite
What is the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit?
The Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit provides one complimentary night at one new hotel that Kimpton opens in the U.S. or globally. However, not all hotels opt to participate in this benefit. This benefit is designed to introduce members to the new hotel so they’ll want to visit again and again. Many members also choose to share their experiences with friends and on social media so that others will want to visit too.
I’ve really enjoyed this perk at numerous hotels in the past, including:
- Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman
- Overland Hotel in Atlanta
- Journeyman Hotel in Milwaukee
- Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach
Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit – Past vs Present
As happy as I am that the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit at new hotels is back. However, it isn’t the same as it used to be. With this announcement, there are some good and bad changes to the free night benefit.
Positive change – International properties are now participating. Kimpton has really ramped up its international expansion since its acquisition by IHG. Until now, the only international property that offered the free night benefit was the Kimpton Seafire Resort in Grand Cayman (back in 2017).
Negative change – Years ago, almost every new Kimpton hotel participated in the new hotel free night benefit. Now, instead of receiving one free night at each new hotel that opens, you’re now entitled to just one free night per calendar year. This is a major devaluation of the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit.
For example, it was approximately 18 months between the new hotel free night benefit at the Everly (offer ended June 2018) and the Overland (December 2019). However, there were several Kimpton hotels that opened in between (e.g.: Hotel Born in Denver, Rowan Hotel in Palm Springs, and Sawyer Hotel in Sacramento) that did not participate in the free hotel night benefit.
Positive change – Kimpton may award additional free nights to Inner Circle members based on hitting unspecified milestones or as a “surprise and delight” to members. In other words, although you’re only entitled to one free night, it is possible to earn additional free nights by continuing to show your #KimptonLove.
These additional nights aren’t a published benefit, but I’ve heard that Kimpton will do this to reward members. In my experience, Kimpton always goes above and beyond what the stated benefits are, so I believe that this will happen.
Positive change – When the dates are actually launched and the new hotel is on sale, you will be able to book months in advance. In the past, the new hotel free night was very last minute.
Inner Circle Free Nights Available
Although we can’t travel right now with coronavirus containment efforts having everyone shelter in place, we will travel again in the future. Once it is safe to do so, these Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night will be available.
- Kimpton Vividora Hotel, Barcelona, Spain
- Kimpton Hotel Fontenot, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
- Kimpton Fitzroy, London, U.K.
- Kimpton Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, U.K.
- Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester, U.K.
- Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Glasgow, U.K.
- Kimpton Hotel Palomar, South Beach, Florida, U.S.
- Kimpton Maa-Lai, Bangkok, Thailand
- Kimpton Armory Hotel, Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
- Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, Japan
As you can see, there is a mix of U.S., European, and Asian properties available for the free night benefit. Once we can start booking these hotels, there will be limited availability and some blackout dates may apply.
Other new Kimpton hotels may also make it on the list depending upon when their construction is completed. So keep coming back to find out the latest info.
Also, you’ll notice that some of these hotels have not opened yet (e.g. the Armory in Bozeman), so this is a great opportunity to visit a new property that you haven’t stayed at yet.
Visit the Kimpton site to learn how to book your Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit.
How to qualify for the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night
As mentioned above, you must have Kimpton Inner Circle elite status. Additionally, you must have at least three qualified stays in different Kimpton hotels within the past 12 months before your free night is deposited into your account.
How to maximize your Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit
For most of us, staying one night at a Kimpton hotel is never enough. You can always pair your free night benefits with paid or award nights to extend your stay.
If you have the time, consider using the 4th-night free benefit that comes with the Chase IHG Rewards credit cards. When you book a room using points, the 4th night is free. For example, if a room is 40,000 points per night, you’ll only be charged 120,000 points. This is a 25% discount from the normal 160,000 points. Both the Premier and the Traveler cards offer this perk.
The Bald Thoughts
I’m excited that the Kimpton Inner Circle Free Night Benefit is coming back in 2020. I’m bummed that we can’t travel right now, but knowing that this benefit will be available soon gives me something to look forward to.
Whenever I need to daydream or get away from the stay at home orders, I pretend like I’m planning for an upcoming vacation. I look at flights, hotels, and attractions and create a fun itinerary. I might not ever take some of these trips, but it helps to break the monotony of sitting at home.
Which of the Kimpton Inner Circle free night offers are you most excited about?
I am a little confused about the rules as this is new to me, you said:
“As mentioned above, you must have Kimpton Inner Circle elite status. Additionally, you must have at least three qualified stays in different Kimpton hotels within the past 12 months before your free night is deposited into your account.”
So if one has IHG elite status, is the person qualified?
More or less, what you are saying is that 4th night free at a new kimpton hotel? To get the new night at the new properties, one must complete at least 3 paid stays before that?
Hi Ken, sorry for any confusion. In addition to being an Inner Circle member, you must have three paid stays in the prior 12 months to receive the free night benefit.
Does that make sense?
This is a way to make sure that the benefit goes to people who have actually paid to stay with Kimpton a few times in the last year.
It makes sense to me. Why would Kimpton give such a great perk to someone who isn’t spending money with the brand?