Fast track to Hyatt and SPG

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

I am a Hyatt credit card member, and my husband is an American Express SPG credit card member.

I know these fast track status programs existed several years ago, and we in fact were able to fast track to Hyatt Diamond. It helped us tremendously on an international trip that year.

From what I can tell, these types of programs no longer exist.

I'm not interested in other hotel chains at all (only SPG and Hyatt - and I do not like Marriott hotels at all nor ever plan to stay in one), so this post relates specifically to Hyatt and SPG. (not Marriott hotels).

I'm also not interested in getting an Amex Platinum or any other card for $450 just to obtain a specific status.

Here are my questions:

1) Is there a way to status match between the two programs (Hyatt and SPG)? Are there any ways to fast track closer to a specific status (other than # of stays)? What I'm referring to here is a method that helps you get a bit closer even if it doesn't help you fully achieve a specific status.

I already have Hyatt Platinum status due to being a Hyatt credit card member. Would love to have Diamond status as we have a 2-week major trip scheduled for next year where the free breakfast benefits would be very helpful.

Breakfast in the location we are going to will be about $64 per day ($32 per person) for two of us. That's just for breakfast. It's a very remote island so no other options will be available for breakfast.

However, the cost of the stays to achieve Diamond just by completing conventional stays would exceed the breakfast costs, so that's not going to be helpful to try.

2) Any unconventional methods to help one get closer to a specific SPG status? My husband has the SPG American Express credit card, which in and of itself does not confer any status level.

We're close to gold right now and will probably just complete 2 more stays to get there, but it would be nice to know of other, unconventional methods to get there or to even get closer to Platinum.

Any unconventional methods to get a little closer to status levels in Hyatt and SPG programs would be appreciated.

Ideas specific to Hyatt credit hard holders and SPG Amex credit card holders are also appreciated, in addition.

We sign up for extra points bonuses, etc., within those rewards programs, but looking for something else. The Diamond status for Hyatt would be especially valuable given what we are embarking upon next year.

Thanks everyone!

NRB525 · ‎09-26-2016

It seems like not many easy options. Maybe just use the Hyatt card to pay for the meals and enjoy the 3 Hyatt points?

High Bal Jan 2009 $116k on $146k limits 80% Util.
Oct 2014 $46k on $127k 36% util EQ 722 TU 727 EX 727
April 2018 $18k on $344k 5% util EQ 806 TU 810 EX 812
Jan 2019 $7.6k on $360k EQ 832 TU 839 EX 831
March 2021 $33k on $312k EQ 796 TU 798 EX 801
May 2021 Paid all Installments and Mortgages, one new Mortgage EQ 761 TY 774 EX 777
April 2022 EQ=811 TU=807 EX=805 - TU VS 3.0 765

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

@NRB525 wrote:
It seems like not many easy options. Maybe just use the Hyatt card to pay for the meals and enjoy the 3 Hyatt points?

We use the Hyatt card often, and will be using it on the trip, but that doen't really help the situation or answer the question. Thanks, though, definitely appreciate the thought.

Hoping someone will share some experiences they have had with each that will at least allow an accelerated way (or a creative way) to achieve levels, or at least make progress toward a level. Regular use of the card doesn't help us get closer to a level, unfortunately.

There are other benefits to the Diamond level that would be helpful as well ( i.e., priority upgrade to a villa with private pool); I just used the almost $70 per day in breakfast costs as an example. Saving those costs would certainly be helpful.

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

Currently there are no options at all for you unfortunately. Last round of Hyatt matches was about a year ago. SPG is now Marriott of course, so the only status match they offer is SPG will match Marriott and vice versa works also, but that is it.

For now SPG points and program is staying separate, but in about a year or so they are expected to merge so if you like SPG you'll soon be a Marriott person like it or not unfortunately. I have not bothered with Marriott status myself, but I'm top teir at three other brands. None of those helps with gaining SPG or Hyatt though.

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

@Anonymous wrote:
Currently there are no options at all for you unfortunately. Last round of Hyatt matches was about a year ago. SPG is now Marriott of course, so the only status match they offer is SPG will match Marriott and vice versa works also, but that is it.

For now SPG points and program is staying separate, but in about a year or so they are expected to merge so if you like SPG you'll soon be a Marriott person like it or not unfortunately. I have not bothered with Marriott status myself, but I'm top teir at three other brands. None of those helps with gaining SPG or Hyatt though.

Thanks, slowlane. I definitely won't be a Marriott person and will never stay at an actual "Marriott" hotel; hopefully they will leave the W hotels and Westins as they are because they are unique and interesting, and those are the ones we like to stay at in addition to Hyatt. Really disappointed about the merger and hope they don't tear apart and devalue the SPG program too badly.

Any other unconventional methods of acquiring points/levels? It seems with both programs you can acquire a ton of points through regular spend, but the points acquisition still does not help you advance toward a level. Only x number of nights or x number of stays seem to matter.

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

I know this off topic, but what's wrong with Marriott?

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

@Anonymous wrote:
I know this off topic, but what's wrong with Marriott?

Have zero interest in Marriott. None at all.

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I know this off topic, but what's wrong with Marriott?
Have zero interest in Marriott. None at all.

Even Ritz Carltons?

Anonymous · ‎09-26-2016

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I know this off topic, but what's wrong with Marriott?
Have zero interest in Marriott. None at all.
Even Ritz Carltons?

Possibly Ritz Carlton if you twist my arm and there is no Hyatt or W hotel nearby, but I would choose Hyatt or W first.

Saleen099 · ‎09-26-2016

Question did you have a bad experience at a Marriott property?