I’ve got so many Chase cards, I hate to sign up for another (it has been six months, though, so my credit score shouldn’t be impacted), but I’ve finally figured out a way to compensate for the lack of Hyatt’s Faster Free Nights promotion this quarter: sign up for their credit card.
Unlike the last few years, where Hyatt has offered one free night at any Hyatt worldwide for every two stays at any Hyatt property, this year’s fourth quarter promotion is not nearly as generous. I was counting on the promotion to get free rooms at the Park Hyatts in Beijing and Shanghai when I travel to China after Christmas. After Hyatt announced a "Great 10K" promotion rather than "Faster Free Nights," I consigned myself to staying in Priceline hotels or hostels during my trip.
Now, I won’t (or at least shouldn’t) have to. Hyatt’s new credit card came out about a month ago, but I just looked into it today after seeing a prominent ad in the Wall Street Journal. The card grants platinum status in Hyatt’s Gold Passport reward program and more importantly, two free nights at any Hyatt worldwide (you have one year to use the free nights) after your first purchase. You also receive a 15% point bonus each stay and can earn three points per dollar spent at all Hyatt properties (and one point per dollar on everything else). And for those who already have platinum or diamond status, Hyatt’s got you covered. Platinum members receive two free suite upgrades on paid stays, in addition to the two free nights. Diamond members are ugpraded to suites when using their two free nights.
My plan is simply to have each of my family members sign up for the card, then cancel them before the year is over. In terms of overall value, you can do much better with other credit cards, though this card does not charge foreign transacation fees when you’re traveling outside the United States.
If you’re in my boat and mourning the lack of a free night promotion this quarter, you can apply for the Hyatt card here.
“it has been six month, though”
Did you buy also a few new sock or shirt?
You should edit your posts, those ones.
@Andy: Thank you with the best wishes please.
i also read somehwere that there’s no fee for international spend? might be useful to have for that…
@Andrew: That would be handy. I’ll have to review the fine print.
one more thing.
if you’re already platinum, you get two suite upgrades on paid stays in addition to the two free nights.
if you’re diamond, your two free nights are in suites.
this is great as i qualified for plat during the faster free nights promotion!
@Andrew: Thanks–I am going to update the post to include this info.
Let me make sure I’m understanding this right: For $75/year and having another card, I can keep Hyatt Platinum status as long as I have the card?
@kd5mdk: That’s correct! A lot easier than earning it through nights/stays.
In addition to the 3 points per dollar spent at all Hyatt properties, do Hyatt Gold Passport members still get their 5 points per dollar spent? In other words, if you charged your Hyatt stay on the Hyatt card, would you essentially get 8 points per dollar spent, combining the two?
@Kevin: Great question. According to my understanding of the details of the card, the answer is yes.
Late to this discussion, but also intrigued by the deal:
I get card and pay $75. Then my wife and I stay in fancy shmancy downtown Hyatt for 2 nights for free. Then I cancel card before the year is up.
What am I missing? Sounds too good to be true.
@Matt: That’s it and that is exactly what I intend to!
If you cancel your card it negatively affects your credit.
@laurie: not necessarily.