I’ve resisted the temptation of Hyatt for a while. If you spend any time around the bloggerverse, you know that Hyatt Gold Passport is now a favorite hotel rewards program, and Hyatt Diamond status is a big favorite for elite status. A look at just a sample of the benefits of Diamond leads to a relatively easy conclusion as to why it is viewed as rewarding.
- Enjoy the best room available upon arrival, excluding suites
- Treat yourself to a suite upgrade at the time of reservation four times annually on eligible paid nights
- Receive a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay
Those are just a few highlights. You can review all the benefits of Diamond here. After thinking things over, I’ve decided to challenge to Diamond status.
Why Now?
I’ve posted before about Marriott Rewards working really well for me. It still does, but with Gold status in the bag for the year, I began to think about broadening my horizons. I could keep going for Platinum, or play the field. Starwood and Kimpton crossed my mind…and always will, but I did a little research on hotel alternatives for known travel over the next few months, and one thing stood out – Hyatt would work well from a location perspective. Reading all the good things about Hyatt Gold Passport in general, and Diamond status in particular sealed the deal. The Hyatt Diamond challenge made sense for me.
Signing Up
After reading Frequent Miler’s primer on the Diamond challenge, I pulled everything I needed together to provide Hyatt to sign up. I was using my status with Marriott, so I made a copy of the following:
- Marriott Rewards Gold card
- Account status page reflecting Gold status
- Recent account statement showing Marriott stays
I attached all that into an email to send to goldpassport at hyatt dot com. The text of my email read as follows:
I heard from Hyatt about 4 hours later congratulating me on enrolling in the Diamond challenge, and advising me of the terms which are to complete 12 nights in 60 days. I’ll also be earning 1,000 bonus Gold Passport points for my first 6 eligible stays up to 6,000 points.
Going Forward
My first nights under the challenge are booked, and I am pretty sure I know where I’ll be using one of those confirmed suite upgrades too. Wish me luck. I’ll be posting about my experiences throughout the challenge.
-MJ, June 24, 2014
Congrats and good luck with the challenge! I was THIS close to starting a challenge (had actually already e-mailed Gold Passport saying I wanted to do one, but then backed out before it started). I did the math and didn’t think I had enough available weekends to squeeze out some cheap Hyatt Place stays. Planning to re-evaluate in the fall, and hopefully also take advantage of a “stay xx nights, earn xx bonus points” promo (if there is one).
This post is aptly timed as I too am looking at reaching out beyond Hilton over the coming months. I’ve had enough experiences with sub-par Hilton brand properties that I’m ready to buy Hilton Gold w a credit card app, and earn Hyatt Diamond if need be.
As @WhiteDesert mentioned, I typically go out of my way to avoid Hampton Inns but had to stay in one last week and it was awful. On my drive back to the airport I noticed a Hyatt Place that will be where I’m staying my next time in town.
I think Hilton and Marriott have a larger pool to play in which can be helpful in some locales, but I’m hoping that the Hyatt quality will shine through when the geography works for me.
I’ll be interested to read your feedback on your Hyatt experiences.
Thanks for all the comments. I should clarify that I’m not the least bit disappointed in Marriott, I was just looking to “broaden my base” a little bit. My Hyatt stays in the last year were all good, and I’m expecting to be well pleased with Diamond status.
I meant to include, in my previous comment, a statement that one distinct difference that I DO observe is a dramatic quality difference between Hyatt Place and pretty much every Hampton Inn I’ve stayed at. I go out of my way to avoid Hampton Inn properties. So far, Hyatt Place properties have been a very pleasant surprise.
I’m almost at the end of a Diamond Trial. I have very little previous experience with the chain. So far the experience is quite nice, but I don’t see a HUGE difference between Hyatt Diamond and Hilton Diamond. That said, a number of my stays have been at Hyatt Place properties. I’m very curious about this comparison between Hyatt and Hilton moving forward, considering how the bloggosphere tends to hold Hyatt up as THE premiere large chain elite experience.
I think you will be happy with your decision. I know I have enjoyed Hyatt Diamond status ever since getting it. The breakfast is a great bonus compared to Starwood’s Elite status, but fairly on par with Marriott. The suite upgrades are a great benefit for longer stays.