topic Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights in Credit Cards

Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 21:18:14 GMT

I got an email offer for the Chase Hyatt with unusual terms.

The standard bonus is 2 nights worldwide for $1k spend. The offer I got is for 50k points for the same $1k spend.

Hyatt's premier properties cost 30k points, so the 2 nights could potentially be more lucrative (60k > 50k). On the other hand, the free nights expire in a year and almost mandate luxury travel, and I have no luxury travel planned. The points give me more flexibility to, say, spend 4 nights at a Category 3 hotel.

My stays at Hyatt are irregular, but two have been for several nights in the last few years. I'd probably be able to use the free night at least every other year in the long run (considering NYC area category restrictions). Upgrades and perks would be nice, too.

Am I right in thinking that as a Platinum member (via the Chase card) I'd get Platinum perks on both paid and reward point nights?

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

CreditScholar — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:00:30 GMT

In your situation I would take the points offer.

Unless you have plans for a cat7 stay sometime in the near future, the 50k is a much better offer IMO.

You should get your elite level benefits regardless of whether its a paid or points stay. The only chain that doesn't do this is automatically is IHG, where properties aren't required to extend your benefits on points stays but many do nonetheless.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

jsucool76 — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:18:34 GMT

The 2 free nights are invaluable in my opinion, but the points would be more flexible. You don't need to have luxury travel planned to use the certs, they allow you luxury travel though. You mentioned NYC, the park hyatt NY is a perfect use of the 2 certs.

As far as benefits, as credtscholar said you'll get them on reward stays, but the plat benefits are pretty limited, just be aware.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 02:55:18 GMT

Yes, when I was reading through the HGP reward night terms, I was looking for language similar to IHG's. So IHG being the exception explains why I wasn't finding the language in HGP terms.

I think I will go with the 50k, since I like the flexibility on how (and when) I use the points. When I'm in NYC, I tend to be out and about too much to really enjoy a Park Hyatt room. I just mentioned NYC because that's the appeal to me of IHG's free night - I may just get a basic room at a Holiday Inn, but it can be a Holiday Inn in Manhattan. Maybe I'll try one night there (or at another Park Hyatt) and use the 20k elsewhere.

I know Chase's criteria on cobranded cards is looser, but I think I might wait a month or so to apply. The offer is good until the end of November, and I can have an inquiry fall off EX and have some new accounts from April-June 2015 age more.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 05:04:38 GMT

I applied. No instant decision...pending 30 days.

I was also browsing the Hyatt website. Is it just the few cases I looked at, or do Park Hyatts in general have extremely limited reward point night availability?

There are plenty of Grand Hyatt reward point rooms, and I'm satisfied with Hyatt Place!

I'm still glad I went for points (assuming I get approved), but I can certainly see what others like about the certificates.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

compassion101 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 05:51:55 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
(considering NYC area category restrictions).

what does that mean, exactly?

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

TekkenQQ7 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 06:00:20 GMT

Call the backdoor number they will be able to review your appl. good luck

@Anonymous wrote:
I applied. No instant decision...pending 30 days.

I was also browsing the Hyatt website. Is it just the few cases I looked at, or do Park Hyatts in general have extremely limited reward point night availability?

There are plenty of Grand Hyatt reward point rooms, and I'm satisfied with Hyatt Place!

I'm still glad I went for points (assuming I get approved), but I can certainly see what others like about the certificates.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 06:08:08 GMT

You can't use the annual free night just anywhere. The Hyatt card excludes high-category properties, which generally are luxury brands and more basic hotels in expensive areas.

Marriott is just as bad. The IHG free night is more flexible.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 16:46:12 GMT

@TekkenQQ7 wrote:
Call the backdoor number they will be able to review your appl. good luck
@Anonymous wrote:
I applied. No instant decision...pending 30 days.

I was also browsing the Hyatt website. Is it just the few cases I looked at, or do Park Hyatts in general have extremely limited reward point night availability?

There are plenty of Grand Hyatt reward point rooms, and I'm satisfied with Hyatt Place!

I'm still glad I went for points (assuming I get approved), but I can certainly see what others like about the certificates.

I called lending directly to ask if they needed any more information from me, and the CSR just said the application was under review. She was friendly, but gave no indication that she'd be happy to look at it personally right then to speed things up. The clear implication was that I just just be patient, and I didn't want to put her in a bad mood by pressing for an immediate answer.

I have to wonder if they are planning on doing a SP on me later this month or something to see if I pay off my modest (but numerous) balances.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

compassion101 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:32:55 GMT

I thought that you could use it at any category? But the free night each year was only at cat4 and below? Where does it give you a list of restricted hotels that you cannot book?

@Anonymous wrote:
You can't use the annual free night just anywhere. The Hyatt card excludes high-category properties, which generally are luxury brands and more basic hotels in expensive areas.

Marriott is just as bad. The IHG free night is more flexible.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 17:38:41 GMT

@compassion101 wrote:
I thought that you could use it at any category? But the free night each year was only at cat4 and below? Where does it give you a list of restricted hotels that you cannot book?

@Anonymous wrote:
You can't use the annual free night just anywhere. The Hyatt card excludes high-category properties, which generally are luxury brands and more basic hotels in expensive areas.

Marriott is just as bad. The IHG free night is more flexible.

http://www.hyatt.com/gp/en/awards/hyatt_free_night.jsp

Click the category numbers in the chart for properties.

The 2 free nights normal signup bonus (which I'm not going for) can be used anywhere with minimal availability constraints. The renewal bonus (the annual free night) is restricted by category.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 21:52:58 GMT

$8,500 approval. No action on my part beyond that detailed on the previous page.

Re: Chase Hyatt: 50k vs. 2 nights

jsucool76 — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 23:12:12 GMT

Congrats on the approval. Now get to spending =]