Admittedly, I don’t play with Hyatt that often. I toyed with the Diamond Challenge last year when a particularly interesting project popped up that would make it easy for me to hit the stay requirement. Of course, the project cancelled right after I started the challenge, and I am just not going to unload a bunch of cash out of pocket for the sake of calling myself a “diamond guest.”
I’m also guilty of not keeping up with my Feedly reading over the last couple of weeks, so if this deal made the rounds already (and I can’t imagine that it didn’t), consider this a reminder. This note from Joe Brancatelli caught my eye over the weekend. Hyatt and Chase have substantially upped the value of the Hyatt Visa for new (apparently defined as not having had the card in the last 24 months) applicants. Spend $1,000 in the first 3 months and receive 2 free nights at any Hyatt property. The $75 annual fee is waived the first year, and a $50 statement credit after your first purchase. The card does come with Platinum status, no foreign transaction fees, and a free night each year in category 1- 4 hotels as well. But the 2 free nights at any Hyatt is where the real value is here.
Click here for more details directly from Chase.
I wrote about dumping my Marriott Visa a few weeks ago. While the certificates earned each year with the Hyatt card aren’t necessarily that much better, the offer of 2 free nights at any Hyatt property for new applicants with this offer is enticing. Frankly, I’m thinking about it.
-MJ, June 8, 2015
I’m deliberating about canceling the Marriott card also. It seems to be almost impossible to use the yearly free night in that almost every time I do a search, there’s no availability even though I’m usually flexible. Either there’s nothing available at any property in any of their brands anywhere near the location or within the date range I need, or if there is availability the property isn’t within the accepted categories. This is just one example: I need one night near SFO (the date on this one is not flexible) on a Saturday night in October (not high tourist… Read more »
Once upon a time, I could use that annual 1-5 cert at the JW Marriott in Miami. That’s a great spot for one night before a cruise. That, of course, is no longer possible. I know hotels climb and descend (mostly climb) the “category ranks” based on rates and any number of other factors. However, the value of the Marriott Visa hasn’t changed. The really attractive thing about the Hyatt offer is the 2 nights at “any” Hyatt. Granted, it’s a one-timer for new accounts…but since I meet that criteria……