Just like in the airline industry where you can use your miles for free flights, hotel chains also have their own loyalty programs that reward points each time you stay at their respective hotels.
Of all the major hotel chains, Hyatt’s Gold Passport program is one of most generous in terms of requiring the least amount of points for award stays.
For example, you could use 25,000 Hyatt points for one night at the $1000+ a night Park Hyatt Maldives.
In comparison, one night at the Conrad Maldives will run cost you 95,000 Hilton Honors points!
Hyatt is also unique in offering non-elites the opportunity to upgrade their paid reservations using points. The cost to upgrade a paid rate to a suite is 6000 Hyatt points per night. This can represent a fantastic value as this applies to any paid rate booked directly with Hyatt.
For example, a base room at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur costs around $160 a night. Instead you can upgrade into a gorgeous 1000 square foot Grand Suite that would retail over $600 a night for only 6000 Hyatt points.
To upgrade your reservation, simply call the Hyatt support line. It’s highly recommended that you call ahead to check for suite award availability before you book your reservation, as during peak times there may be no suite award space available.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to spend cash, you can book suite rooms directly using points. The number of points required depends on which hotel category a Hyatt property is classified as.
However, I find booking suites purely via points is generally a poor value, and only for those who are points rich.
How do I quickly earn Hyatt points?
If you’re not a frequent traveler, you’ll have to earn Hyatt points through the use of credit card points, notably through Hyatt’s financial partner, Chase.
Chase Ultimate Reward points can be converted to Hyatt Gold Passport points at a 1:1 ratio. So if you transfer 5,000 Chase points, you’ll receive 5,000 Hyatt points. Transfers are usually instantaneous.
Chase Ultimate Reward points can be earned primarily through the following cards:
The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the primary way for most customers to earn Chase Ultimate Reward points, with one UR point being awarded for each dollar spent.
The Sapphire card earns two points per dollar spent on travel and dining expenses, and overall is one of my favorite cards to use for travel. The sign up bonus is usually significant enough to stay at least 1-2 nights at any top tier Hyatt property.
You may find the current offer for the Sapphire Preferred below
View Personal Reward Card Offers Here
If you’re a small business owner, you can also earn Chase UR points through the Chase Ink Plus card, which earns 5 points per dollar spent at office supply stores and utilities, in addition to one point being awarded for each dollar spent. The sign up bonus is also quite significant.
You may find the current offer for the Ink Plus below
View Business Card Offers Here
In addition, there is the Chase Freedom Unlimited card that earns 1.5 Chase points per dollar spent and the Chase Ink Cash card, which also earned 5 points per dollar spent similar to the Ink Plus card.
However you’ll need to possess either an Ink Plus or Chase Sapphire Preferred In order to earn Chase UR points.
Chase Hyatt Card
Unlike most credit cards that offer a points based signup offer, the Chase Hyatt card gives two free nights at any Hyatt property worldwide after completing minimum spend. In addition, each year you’ll receive a certificate good for one night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt property and you receive complimentary Hyatt Platinum status.
Hyatt on the Bund is a Category 4 Hotel
I recently redeemed my two free nights at the $1000 a night Park Hyatt Maldives and detailed step by step on how to use your free night certificates here.
Please note that award nights are not eligible for suite upgrades using points.
