@Anonymous wrote:No, it doesn't matter per se.. but I don't like a card that I could beat up. Having one that is metal certainly lasts a lot longer..
if it is beat up, request for a new one. Or request for a few in advance so you can switch them out once every month or few months. Most banks would be pretty accomodating with this since it's really just mailing you plastic.
@CreditScholar wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@CreditScholar wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:You can still get Chase Hyatt card with a waived annual fee. Since I'm new here, I don't know if I can post links to CC applications (not affiliate), so please let me know. Or just google and you'll find it.
Another thing is to try and get Hyatt Diamond status before applying for this card. That would give you two free nights in a suite, with breakfast and access to a lounge with free booze and snacks. In order to get a temporary Diamond status, you would need to apply for a so-called "challenge". This is easy if you have an elite status with other hotel loyalty programs, for example, Hilton or Marriott Gold, or IHG Platinum. However, if you don't, Hilton and IHG status can be achieved simply by applying for the "right" credit card.
But, you need to time your application and your actual travel time so that you still have your Diamond status, otherwise, no soup.
Be careful with status matches though because they are (for some brands) a once-in-a-lifetime event. You don't want to burn this opportunity prematurely when you might desperately need it down the road.
One thing I've never understood is people's fascination with suites. If you're travelling with a large family I might understand, but is you're travelling alone (or with one other person), isn't a 50 sqm deluxe room (with lounge access) enough? What do people do with that much extra space, assuming you aren't spending all of your time inside the hotel?
+1 on point #1. Make sure that this is that special trip you want to use your status match for.
In regard to suites, well, I personally love to spread out when I have a chance. I think, in terms of general comfort, having an extra room just to lounge, relax, and catch up on some work is nice, especially when it doesn't come out of your own pocket. Besides, Hyatt Platinum status that you get with the card does not give you a lounge access or breakfast; and food and munches during the day can cost you some serious monye in expensive markets.
One "risk" that comes with better hotels or a luxurious hotel room is that they make you a hostage. You are reluctant to leave the property, and that is simply wrong. You come there to explore, so staying in a hotel more than you have to defies the purpose. Then again, sometimes you just have to have a perfect trip. This is what this card and the status challenge are for. I personally don't have this card yet. I'm saving it for the next year family trip to France and Italy that I'd love to make as special as they get.
I too like some extra space, especially if I'm going to be there for awhile (5+ nights or longer). However I think there's a point where enough is enough. The difference between a 45-50 sqm room and a 65-70 sqm entry-level suite doesn't make much of a difference to me, since I'll rarely use that extra space. I might look inside there once, and then not go into the extra room again.
For example I was in a suite once at the GH Tokyo, which was probably about 100sqm. I was upgraded without asking (which was nice), but I couldn't help but think W.T.F. do I need this much for? It's way overkill. Ultimately I went back and asked for something smaller, and from what I could tell by their response that was something they don't hear very often. I'm always travelling alone or with one other person, so that might be part of it.
I guess I grew up watching so much material excess, and something about that just seemed wrong to me (regardless of the cost-factor which I honestly couldn't care less about). I couldn't help but think "do I really need all of that? Why would you want so much when it's just you or you+1?"
To my question of why, my father would always reply "why not? It's not costing you any more" or "why not? you've got the cash and you can't take it with you (when you die)". To him it was about the cost factor, but to me it's always been about more than that. Something seems inherently wrong to me about using and wasting so much when you'll barely notice the difference. We've agreed to disagree on this.
This is the first time I've heard about people wanting a room downgrade! 
If I have to pick, I would really prefer a moderate size room with a splendid view, over a slightly larger size room with an average view. Having a nice suite with a splendid view is of course even better. I do understand what you mean though. I don't exactly camp in the hotel room most of the time, but it's just nice to have a nicer suite if I ever have (female) guests coming.
I am always happy to get a suite upgrade, although I do kinda know what you mean. I got a suite upgrade from marriott recently and to get from my bed out of the room by walking through a living room and another hallway felt like a trek!
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