A major hat tip to Pizza in Motion for his tips this morning about how to search for and book one of Hyatt’s new “My Elite” rates, which offer at 20% discount to Platinum and Diamond Gold Passport members. Remember, anyone can get Platinum status just by signing up for the Hyatt Credit Card, which includes a free night each year to offset the $75 annual fee.
The trick comes in two parts. First, you need to be logged in to your account. I knew that. But second, you MUST NOT select any other discount, including AAA, Costco, or corporate discounts. That’s where I screwed up.
I tested this realization at a couple hotels where I’m staying soon. In both cases I already have cheaper rates booked further in advance. But I wanted to see how rates compared if I were to book today.
The Hyatt Regency Waikiki was offering only $225 rates when I searched with my Costco and AAA discount codes. Nothing else was displayed.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
But after removing those offers, I got more variety. Rates ranged from $200 to $300. I could have saved $25 per night and not even known it was an option! Notice that there is no overlap at all between the rates shown when I search with and without the discount codes, although in theory the AAA Discount and AAA Breakfast rate replace the Hyatt Daily Rate and Hyatt Bed & Breakfast Package.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Similar discrepancies were found at the Hyatt Regency Chicago ($125.10 Costco rate vs. $111.20 My Elite rate) and other hotels, again with not much overlap between the rates shown in each search.
Of course, it means I now need to perform two searches every time to make sure I am getting the best rate with the most favorable terms. I recommend searching for a My Elite rate first. They seem to be cheaper, and they are refundable, usually with a 72 hour cancellation policy in the few hotels I checked. But AAA and Costco rates, which are usually only 10-15% off, sometimes include breakfast or other amenities. They may also have better cancellation policies of just 24 hours before or even 3 PM day of arrival. And sometimes a My Elite rate isn’t available, like at The Driskill, so it is important that you search for another discount.
I did read One Mile at a Time’s post when the rates were first offered (and the Hyatt press release) and didn’t remember seeing this tip mentioned, so I just assumed that when I did my own searches the hotels I was looking at didn’t offer the discount. So, thanks again to the Pizza Man for pointing out where I was going wrong!
The post The Secret to Booking My Elite Rates at Hyatt appeared first on Hack My Trip.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
