Point Me to the Miles

UPDATE: Hyatt Visa Card INCLUDING Waived Annual Fee

The Hyatt Visa Card, as I wrote about recently, has some “suite” benefits–particularly for those that are already Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum members, i.e. two award nights AND two suite upgrades.

Other perks include an award night every card anniversary (Category 1-4), 3 points per dollar spent at Hyatt, Platinum status as long as you are a card member, and even Smart Chip protection.

The deal just got even better though, as the new sign-up link now waives the annual fee for the first year, via a $75 statement credit after the first purchase on the card.

If you were on the fence before about the Hyatt card, now is a great timeto get in on the deal.

NOTE: I do not get any referral credit for using this sign-up link.

Hat tip goes to Mr. Lucky of One Mile at a Time.

UPDATE: FREE Hyatt Platinum Status for 90 Days

UPDATE: Chase is currently running better offer, with the annual fee effectively waived for the the first year.  In addition to all of the same benefits as before, a $75 statement credit will be awarded after the first purchase on the card.
The sign-up link has been updated accordingly.

As I covered in my post yesterday, the Hyatt Gold Passport program is offering a Platinum 90-day challenge.

The offer is targeted at Visa Signature cardholders, but just like Gary alluded to with respect to Visa Infinite card offers, you don’t need an actual card number, just one that is valid.  I don’t know for sure in this instance, but suspect the same would be true.  Afterall, it would require complex and expensive software to actually verify whether the 16-digit card number you provide is yours or not.  So, one could theoretically Google the valid first several digits of a card number, then randomly assign the remaining numbers.  Please let me know your results if you try this.

Anyway, the reason I am posting an update on this is that while my status did not update instantaneously, (it’s the 21st Century, right?) I just checked it and a day later it has finally been updated:

Hyatt Gold Passport Updated Platinum Status

I forget to mention, but the perks of Hyatt Platinum status include:

• 15% Hyatt points bonus, when choosing to earn points for your stay
• Enjoy access to preferred (larger or high-floor) rooms. upon availability
• Complimentary in-room internet access
• 72-hour room guarantee
• 2:00 PM late check-out, upon request

Of course, the real gem of this promotion would be to apply for the Hyatt card from Chase in order to receive 2 award nights and 2 suite upgrades, after your first purchase.

FREE Hyatt Platinum Status for 90 Days

Hyatt is offering Platinum status, as part of 90 day-offer for Visa Signature cardholders, via this link.  Signature cards include the Capital One Venture Card, United Mileage Plus Explorer, and Chase Sapphire Preferred Cards, amongst a slew of others.

Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum Offer

Terms & Conditions:

To keep the status beyond the 90-day window, one needs to complete 8 stays between now and the end of the promotion, May 11.   You may want to time it accordingly if you have a bunch of stays coming up, as it begins upon registration.

I had heard of a number of registration errors, so I decided to go ahead and try my own luck, using my Chase Preferred Card number.  It did allow me to register, but instead of allowing me to use Firefox as my browser like I usually do, I ended up having to use Internet Explorer.

Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum Offer

My Thoughts:

Where this offer gets real juicy is if you apply for the Hyatt credit card from Chase during that 90-day window.  While the sign-up bonus for a new or Gold (entry-level) status member is 2 award nights, the Platinum member benefit is 2 award nights and 2 suite upgrades after your first purchase.  A suite benefit if you ask me….

Anyway, bad puns aside, rather than try to rack up 8 nights a Hyatt properties, I plan on optimizing this deal by applying for the Hyatt Card, which includes comped Platinum status.

UPDATE:  Chase is currently running better offer, with the annual fee effectively waived for the the first year.  In addition to all of the same benefits as before, a $75 statement credit will be awarded after the first purchase on the card.
The sign-up link has been updated accordingly.

Hat Tip to One Mile at a Time.