Jeff Zidell just announced on MilePoint and FlyerTalk that Hyatt Gold Passport’s newest promotion will launch on January 15, 2014, and run through April 30. This is a fairly long promotional period of 3.5 months — a good thing since you’ll have the chance to choose one of two valuable opportunities.
We all loved when Hyatt offered Faster Free Nights during the recession, with the chance to earn free nights at any Hyatt hotel after just a couple of cheap stays. Jeff has previously said that we are unlikely to ever see that again. That doesn’t mean Hyatt can’t do something similar.
At registration, Gold Passport members will have to choose between two bonus opportunities:
Choose Free Nights
This opportunity lets members earn a free night at any Category 1-4 hotel worldwide after staying five nights. You can earn a maximum of four free nights after completing 20 qualifying nights. The free nights will be redeemable with no blackout dates through July 31, 2014. Here are some examples of Category 4 hotels I’ve stayed at in the past:
- Hyatt Fisherman’s Wharf (good for tourists)
- Hyatt Regency San Francisco (close to BART)
- Hyatt Regency Boston (recent remodel)
- New York-New York (part of M Life partnership in Las Vegas)
- Hyatt at The Bellevue (Philadelphia)
- Grand Hyatt Seattle (better upgrades)
- Hyatt at Olive8 (also Seattle; better breakfast)
- Park Hyatt Toronto (excellent rooftop bar)
A few truly excellent Category 4 hotels are moving to Category 5, but there are still some good choices here.
Choose Bonus Points
Hyatt likes to offer exponential bonus awards, increasing the number of points earned at each qualifying tier. This promotion is no different, offering just 5,000 points when you stay 5 nights and 50,000 points when you stay 20 nights. Those 50,000 points are worth two nights at a category 6 hotel under the new ward chart that goes into effect on January 7, 2014.
- Stay 5 nights, earn 5,000 points
- Stay 10 nights, earn an additional 10,000 points (15,000 total)
- Stay 15 nights, earn an additional 15,000 points (30,000 total)
- Stay 20 nights, earn an additional 20,000 points (50,000 total)
Which Strategy Should You Choose?
The free nights strategy offers a fixed award at every qualifying tier, rewarding members who think they may only have a few qualifying stays during the offer period. Those who know they will book all 20 nights should probably pick the bonus points. If you fall short, the extra 20,000 points between 15 nights and 20 nights may even be worth a mattress run.
Free nights are still more valuable to those people who think that’s how they would use any bonus points. A category 4 award night will normally cost 15,000 points under the new award chart. Even at the high end, when the bonus points increase exponentially, free nights are worth more because four Category 4 award nights are 60,000 points.
An obvious drawback of free nights is that they expire three months after the promotional period ends. You better have plans to use them before that time is up.
I am more inclined toward the bonus points. Not necessarily because I think I will book all 20 nights but because I could combine the points with those I already have for more valuable awards. I also won’t have to worry about my points expiring.
Registration begins on January 9, 2014, and at that time I’ll be sure to share a link for you to sign up. See the post on MilePoint for more terms and conditions.
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