Just had a conversation with another Fodorite and we discussed the reality that each of these "deals" carries a transaction cost. It takes a certain mental and emotional involvement to participate in these promotions. This should be taken into account when contemplating signing up. Bob's life is meaningless and saving a few hundred dollars and being called Mr. Kimball is important to him. I leave my mind open for more lofty pursuits and am completely comfortable if no one knows who I am. No judgement just a thought.

I have to admit that I agree with you in large part and I like very much your concept of "transaction cost."

I also note that this thread has more replies, i.e., hits than all but ten of the other threads. That suggests that the editors did well to return it to its home on the Asia forum, instead of letting it die an ugly death on the Lounge. I also note that all but one of the other threads with more replies, seem to have been initiated by regular posters. This demonstrates that regulars posters are an asset to this forum insofaras they generate multiple replies.

Do you think this is open to UK residents? I have my eye on PH Paris and/or Syndey in the next 12 months so 2 free nights at either of those would be well worth the $75 investment!

Smeagol, I checked the website and it states it's only available to US residents that have a valid permanent home address (50 states plus DC).

http://www.mychasecreditcards.com/hy...c5hxHCLlM_is9A

Thanks Sassy... drat i was really considering getting that card!

Is there an outside date for using the two free nights -- is it within the next year or something like that?

sf7307 per the terms and conditions:

"Free Night Awards are valid for use on any available standard room within one year from issuance at any Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide."

Thanks - my DH and I both went ahead and got them ---- 4 nights somewhere ----- hmmmmm, we're also going to have a bunch of miles for free on Alaska, just thinking how to combine the two!!

fly to boston on alaska and stay at the hyat here...

We just looked at where alaska flies -- we can fly from Oakland to Kauai and stay at the Grand Hyatt. Sounds good to me!

sf - if you also apply for Alaska miles card and are approved, you get a free companion ticket to anywhere Alaska flies - economy or first class, doesn't matter. We are flying first class from Newark to Kauai 3 weeks from now at the equivalent of the economy fare. You also get two free passes to the Alaska Airlines business lounge (useful if you choose to fly economy instead).

Craig, I know about the companion fare (I really meant that we would use that for Kauai, not the miles -- we'll use them to fly to NY or Boston), but didn't know it applied to "upper" classes. From here to Kauai is a pretty short trip, so coach is just fine (it's only 5 hours). Thanks for the tip and have a great trip!

I just learned about the Costco Hyatt Gift Checks (2/$50) for $79.99. I noticed a thread that was dated Sept. 2010 that mentioned them again. However, the Costco near us does not have them (apparently a Holiday Item) and they are not available on line. Does anyone know who has them NOW?

Also we are planning a 6 day stay at a Hyatt in Washington next week. Does anyone know if we apply for the Hyatt Credit Card if we can immediately use the 2 free days for a stay that close? Can you apply on line? How soon do you get a reply? From what I understand, both my husband and I can apply for cards, play the $75 each and then would we have 4 free nights for this Sept/Oct stay? Would love to hear back from someone ASAP. Thanks for the great tip!

you can be approved immediately if you apply but i should think the cards would take at least 2 weeks to get to you... i suspect they send you certificates after your first purchase which might not occur until after you pay your first bill... read the info on the card site

The website says "two free nights just for using your card the very first time", so you'd have to have the card in order to use it, which I very much doubt will arrive in time for your trip. We applied and were approved online on Friday and haven't received our cards yet (not that we would have expected to).

I literally just got an email from Hyatt saying I should expect to receive my card in about 10 days, and that the two free days would post to my rewards account about 10 days after first use of the card.

Thanks! It sounds like it is too late for this trip, but I can keep this in mind if we plan future stays at Hyatts. We usually stay at Marriott, but this sounded like a pretty nice deal! Lucy

<<<We usually stay at Marriott, but this sounded like a pretty nice deal! >>>

So do we, but couldn't pass this up!

I applied for the cards, one for me, one for dh. I think they came overnight. I used both cards immediately. Then I called customer service to use the nights for 4 night at the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris. No rooms, I complained to customer service who were not interested. Called a week later to book, same story. Then I got a call from Case customer service asking how I liked the card. I complained that they did not offer any standard room anywhere, anytime. A week later I called customer service to book the same rooms...., oui, Madame. We had a lovely stay. Treated royally, candy in room, any requests not only immediately done, but followed up to see if we were happy. They even told us where to go for cheap breakfast rather than the 45euro each their lovely breakfast cost. My dh used the whirlpool and steamroom. Our checkout bill was 0e. Plus...internet and wi-fi free rather than at the very high charges This was also true during our 6 day stay in the Kathmandu Hyatt where I had a nice room upgrade. Now will this be worth keeping after our first year is over??

i have booked one of my free nights at the kathmandu hyatt and had no problem at all... i used points for the other nights...

the free nights came through in about 2 weeks after i first used the cards....

btw, i saved $185 by using this... not $400 like a park hyatt but i am pleased with this savings.... for breakfast i can eat a la carte or eat a pastry in my room

good deal bob on the card and only 5000 points per night for the rest.....a steal. when you check in show your platinum card on top of your cc and passports and ask if there are upgrades available for the regency club......hardly ever works in the us or europe but always seems to work in asia. we even got upgraded to a suite in the hyatt gora japan just by asking as a plat.

Aloha!

The breakfast buffet at the Kathmandu Hyatt is well worth the money. In fact, we thought their food the best we had in Kath. Some interesting times were had were in the Hyatt dining room. Two days there were different religious leaders eating there as their followers stood and bowed. One leader brought a tray of "something, bread, pastry?" to share with his people. The mix of people from different countries were also interesting. Many from India, good vacation place for them when it gets too hot in India. But, I am now saving my points for a really expensive Hyatt.

We just booked 4 nights at the Grand Hyatt Kauai using the card with absolutely no problem, we were even given a choice of room types depending on the dates. Bob, thanks for the original tip!

I am typing this from the Park Hyatt Vendome in Paris. You can use the free nights here only if the cheapest of the cheap, the lowest of low room categories ("classic queen") is available. I was looking forward to staying here, but was not expecting much in terms of the room itself.

But wow. The room is by no means large (though larger than the miserable hovel at the 4-star Crowne Plaza), but certainly ample for 1 or 2 people. And the bathroom! The bathroom is as large as the bedroom -- fully marble, with a large tub and a walk-in shower, plus a huge area for the sink.

The furnishings, both in my room and in the public areas, are wonderful: contemporary and tasteful. Not like many of the posh places where the furnishings make you think that they're still mourning the fall of Louis XVI.

Breakfast in the room is an extravagance, and one that you should treat yourself to. And the staff are courteous without being condescending or snooty. I can't imagine how the hotel found such personnel in France.

Anyway, if you're thinking of getting the Hyatt card, or if you haven't used the free nights, this joint is a good place to use them. You'll likely need to plan several months ahead as the free rooms tend to go quickly. (BTW, if you were to pay for this room, the best available rate on the internet is 600 euro/night).

hyatt is always a cut above i find...

Thanks for the report, Don!

Nice, that hotel is on my wish list in Paris.....

Don, I am envious. Enjoy your stay!

Does anyone know if the rooms are transferable? I am not a US resident so I can't get the card but I could pay for a family member to have it and get the rooms myself?

All, we're trying to decide whether to keep the card for a second year -- what are the ongoing benefits? We've already used our free nights.

Hi sf307,

We are keeping the card and for the second year I think you get the following

1. Platinum level status (or higher if you've achieved status through stays)
2. One Free night (category 1-4 hotel)
3. Certificate redeemable for a welcome amenity OR 1,000 dining points OR upgrade to Hyatt Regency club level for up to 3 nights for a paid stay of 3 nights or less

fee free purchases overseas

We did not renew. Kinda feel guilty but category 1-4 not exciting enough and we do not stay in hotels that often in US there are no Hyatts in Tanzania. But it was a great year one.

I just received my card and am using 1 free night at the park hyatt Dubai and plan on using another at the park hyatt Tokyo so a great deal already!

More miles, we got two cards (one each) and just spent 4 consecutive nights at the Grand Hyatt Kauai!