Although I once questioned the value of it, I have successfully re-qualified for Hyatt Globalist status with 60 nights in the bag for 2017.
Last year I barely squeaked by, earning Hyatt Diamond status with 25 stays. Hyatt has since done away with stay-based status. Instead, stay credit is only awarded based upon nights.
On the one hand, this eliminated any incentive to mattress run, which has been annoying to friends and family (and even to me) in years past. But on the other hand, 60 nights is a lot of nights for a hotel with such a limited global footprint.
Due to some late postings, I actually received notice of my Globalist status for 2018 after my 53rd stay, thanks to Hyatt’s 20-night fast-track promotion. But I decided to go for the extra seven nights to earn an extra Category 1-7 free night stay as well as four confirmed suite upgrades for next year.
I have used 3/4 suite upgrades this year, but have until February 28 to use my last one. My four suite upgrades for 2018 expire in mid-december, exactly one year from date of issue (the date I crossed the 60-stay line).
> Read More: My Midyear Hyatt Dilemma
Looking Ahead to 2018
I see more business travel ahead in 2018 so I should be able to squeak by with at least 60 nights. My wife loves both the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad and Hyatt Carmel Highlands, so I’m sure we’ll be returning to those two properties often next year for weekend respites.
One thing I would love to see from Hyatt is awarding stay credit when points are used to pay of the stay. That’s something we’ve been told Hyatt would like to do, but technologically cannot figure out. I don’t buy that excuse any longer…they have had nearly a year to fix it. Currently stay credit is only awarded for stays paid with cash or cash + points.
CONCLUSION
I’ll do a final review of my Hyatt status qualification in a couple weeks which will review all the hotels I’ve stayed at this year. On the whole, I find the amenities and elite treatment far better at Hyatt than at more impersonal Hilton and Marriott properties.
30,638 Base Points here, got you beat. But I usually stay in Asia with a corporate discount.
Nice job.