re: Credit Card Rewards and Points Discussion

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All I'm wondering is to claim those miles, does the balance have to be totally paid off, or will it reward the miles at the end of the third billing cycle?

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you don't have to pay anything off. It should show up during the next billing cycle after you reach the 3K spend

Your options for Ziva and Zilara are: 1) Cabo 2) Cancun 3) Jamaica

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In that situation, I'll fly with SW to one of their new destinations. Probably will book hotel with UR points though good call

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The downside of Hyatt Cabo is it is not in Cabo San Lucas, so it is more of a sit by the pool, golf, eat/drink vacation. Which was fine by me.

I booked a 9k point flight there(MSY-SJD) so 4.5k UR points per person, but I want to say there was a $70 tax per person.

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Hyatt and IHG next for you

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I pulled the trigger and applied for and was approved for both tonight.

I have to tell you I'm really excited about the hyatt.

For the IHG, I applied for the 60k + $50 statement credit. I sent chase a message with a screen shot of the 80k + $50 credit offer, hoping they will go ahead and give me the extra 20k. I will report back once they respond

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I pulled the trigger and applied for and was approved for both tonight.

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Nice. Two of my most rewarding cards. I never use the ihg cards but between my wife and me we've gotten 4 nights in bora bora and 2 nights in London coming up in June. All for about $250. Those rooms would've cost about $5k.

My Hyatt I've put a lot of restaurant spend On and some bonuses and have gotten probably $5k value out of it. Used it at park Hyatt NYC and free night in Nola during Mardi Gras at regency super dome for Endymion ball.

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free night in Nola during Mardi Gras at regency super dome for Endymion ball.

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Thats actually a really good idea. Didn't even think of that.

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The Hyatt French Quarter is also a Tier 4 property eligible for the yearly free night benefit. Easily pays the annual fee.

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I've stayed on points there twice. Upgraded both times to balcony rooms. Once as a plat and once as a diamond. I like the rooms better, but the club lounge at the Regency is nice and FQ location doesn't have a club.

Not likely to be upgraded during Mardi Gras and I avoid the FQ during Mardi Gras.

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I've heard the reviews were kinda meh but I'm willing to try it once.

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The rooms are a nice size by Manhattan standards, but I would certainly never pay rack rates for this hotel. I think people go in expecting to be wowed because of the price tag, and it just doesn't do that IMO. I don't understand how they command such a high price tag. There are certainly several other hotels just as nice with better views and are better situated.

I might have spent 4 waking hours in the hotel not sleeping, so I'm not the best critic. I did utilize the car service several times, which was nice. But, I didn't eat at the hotel, use the concierge, or any other guest services so I'm not their typical guest. I skipped the free breakfast because I go to NYC to eat and eat well, not to be frugal.

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The rooms are a nice size by Manhattan standards, but I would certainly never pay rack rates for this hotel. I think people go in expecting to be wowed because of the price tag, and it just doesn't do that IMO. I don't understand how they command such a high price tag. There are certainly several other hotels just as nice with better views and are better situated.

I might have spent 4 waking hours in the hotel not sleeping, so I'm not the best critic. I did utilize the car service several times, which was nice. But, I didn't eat at the hotel, use the concierge, or any other guest services so I'm not their typical guest. I skipped the free breakfast because I go to NYC to eat and eat well, not to be frugal.

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Good advice...that is much of what I expect. I wanted to get the most "bang for my buck" when using hyatt certificates. I don't understand the rates either. Any particular must do's you recommend around the hotel?

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On a related note, is there any fine print that we have to use those nights in the first year? I haven't seen anything, but I didn't know if Hyatt would let me start stacking the Tier 4 annual bonuses on top of the two unrestricted free nights from the sign up bonus.

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The awards expire one year from the end of the month in which you meet the signup bonus spend requirement. All stays must be completed by the expiration date.

(If you can't use in first year)
According to the FT Hyatt GP Concierge, as of January 22, 2016, there are 2 options for compensation for the initial (all-category) Free Night Awards:

Platinum guests: Hyatt offers 10,000 points per Award if the Member has had 5 eligible stays or 15 eligible nights in the previous 12 months. The 10,000 points per award exchange can only be done after the award night has expired. (This is the opposite of the old rule, which required the award to be unexpired.) Members have up to 90 days beyond the expiration of the unused award night to exchange for points.
Diamond guests: Hyatt offers 20,000 points per Award if the Member has achieved Diamond status by achieving 25 stays or 50 nights or completing a trial tier offer within the last 12 months. The 20,000 points per award exchange can only be done after the award night has expired. (This is the opposite of the old rule, which required the award to be unexpired.) Members have up to 90 days beyond the expiration of the unused award night to exchange for points.

Anniversary Awards valid in Category 1-4 hotels are not eligible for extension. (This is the opposite of the old rule, which allowed a one-time 30-day extension.)