Hyatt Gold Passport - Buying points on Hyatt Gold Passport

Hey guys,

New to the forum from Sydney Australia.

I was having a look online and noticed that there is a bonus amount for when you buy points up until sometime in March 2012.
Now what I can't seem to figure out is, that if you can buy 40,000 points (+12,000 you'll receive as a 30% bonus), can you use these points for "free stays" or "upgrades"

If so, why wouldn't you just spend the $960 (I'm aware you are only allowed to do this once a calendar year) on a total of 52,000 points (40k + 12k bonus) and then just use those points to buy yourself a few nights in a category 6 hotel (for example, Park Hyatt Sydney), where, if you were staying at a normal rate, would cost about $700 a night anyway... or according to the chart, 22,000 points per night. So realistically if the above is possible you are paying $960 for 52,000 points which is more than enough for 2 nights or.. you are paying over $1400 for a 2 night stay.

Is this possible? And if not.. what is the point of buying points and what can they be used for?


Cheers,

Michael

:-:Welcome to FT OP!:-:

it is possible. Of course subject to availability.

Points can be used for:
1) award nights
2) upgrade room category

But bear in mind for award nights:
1) The points don't cover taxes
2) You don't earn points for staying at the hotel
3) Award nights don't count towards status

That is why not everyone is jumping the band wagon on it.

Also note that at times promos, especially if you have a cheap hyatt around, is a cheaper and faster way to earn points than the promo offered, especially since the night help you earn status.

You shouldn't compare it to the $700 per night (unless you must stay at the Hyatt). You should compare it to how much you would have paid for a hotel night if you were not using points.



Hey guys,

New to the forum from Sydney Australia.

I was having a look online and noticed that there is a bonus amount for when you buy points up until sometime in March 2012.
Now what I can't seem to figure out is, that if you can buy 40,000 points (+12,000 you'll receive as a 30% bonus), can you use these points for "free stays" or "upgrades"

If so, why wouldn't you just spend the $960 (I'm aware you are only allowed to do this once a calendar year) on a total of 52,000 points (40k + 12k bonus) and then just use those points to buy yourself a few nights in a category 6 hotel (for example, Park Hyatt Sydney), where, if you were staying at a normal rate, would cost about $700 a night anyway... or according to the chart, 22,000 points per night. So realistically if the above is possible you are paying $960 for 52,000 points which is more than enough for 2 nights or.. you are paying over $1400 for a 2 night stay.

Is this possible? And if not.. what is the point of buying points and what can they be used for?


Cheers,

Michael

:-:Welcome to FT OP!:-:


1) The points don't cover taxes


Is that true??!

But bear in mind for award nights:
1) The points don't cover taxes
2) You don't earn points for staying at the hotel


Is that true??!

I don't believe I've ever had to pay taxes on award nights with points.

To clarify point number two, the only way to earn points on an award stay is to apply incidental charges to your room.

Hey guys,

New to the forum from Sydney Australia.

I was having a look online and noticed that there is a bonus amount for when you buy points up until sometime in March 2012.
Now what I can't seem to figure out is, that if you can buy 40,000 points (+12,000 you'll receive as a 30% bonus), can you use these points for "free stays" or "upgrades"

If so, why wouldn't you just spend the $960 (I'm aware you are only allowed to do this once a calendar year) on a total of 52,000 points (40k + 12k bonus) and then just use those points to buy yourself a few nights in a category 6 hotel (for example, Park Hyatt Sydney), where, if you were staying at a normal rate, would cost about $700 a night anyway... or according to the chart, 22,000 points per night. So realistically if the above is possible you are paying $960 for 52,000 points which is more than enough for 2 nights or.. you are paying over $1400 for a 2 night stay.

Is this possible? And if not.. what is the point of buying points and what can they be used for?


Cheers,

Michael
Welcome to FT and the Hyatt forum, Michael!

I agree with your math and the idea behind what you're trying to do. To my knowledge, there's nothing wrong with it. If you buy the points, they're yours to use as you please.

Hyatt normally charges 2.4 cents per point when purchasing points. With the promotion, you're buying them for 1.9 cents per point. When I look to redeem points in the United States, my redemption rate often doesn't come close to what Hyatt charges. I usually end up somewhere between 1.3 and 1.8 cents. So this promo right now is not bad at all.

With your plan, I think you would need to be absolutely sure that's how you're going to use your points. Consider how long you're going to hold on to them too. In general, it's a good idea to redeem a few points every once in awhile so that in the event of a point devaluation, you don't take as big of a hit. Hyatt will generally notify us in advance of these changes.

I don't believe I've ever had to pay taxes on award nights with points.

That is odd, I paid taxes on an award stay recently!:confused:

That is odd, I paid taxes on an award stay recently!:confused:
Hmmm...maybe this thread explains it?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt-gold-passport/1215689-hyatt-cdg-award-stay-tax.html

After reading that thread, I guess I was referring to room tax as being included with award nights. Maybe there were some additional city/miscellaneous taxes associated with your stay.

I don't believe I've ever had to pay taxes on award nights with points.


you do in HR India

That is odd, I paid taxes on an award stay recently!:confused:

There are (at least were) some Hyatts in India that charges the "luxury tax" that is calculated off the rack rate of the room occupied (even as an upgrade). But otherwise (other than the CDG one mentioned above) I've never heard of any property imposing taxes that are paid for by the guest.

Back to the OP's question, another consideration is that award redemption can be tough especially if you need a room in a particular location on a particular day (especially close in) at one of the higher profile properties.

Hey guys,
Thanks for the prompt responses.

I don't really have much time to act on this so I kind of have to make a decision pretty quickly as the promotion for the points ends within a few weeks.

From people's experiences, how difficult has it been to redeem points for stays as I intend to do? I know it's subject to availability, but how good is that availability? (I know this will obviously differ from what category the hotel is, I normally stay at either Sydney which is a 6 or Melbourne PH which is a 4)

In general, it's a good idea to redeem a few points every once in awhile so that in the event of a point devaluation, you don't take as big of a hit. Hyatt will generally notify us in advance of these changes.

What do you mean by this kenbo? Do points undergo devaluation? Or get cancelled if not used over a certain period?

Also, apart from stays, can the points be used for anything else? ie dinners etc.

Hey guys,
Thanks for the prompt responses.

I don't really have much time to act on this so I kind of have to make a decision pretty quickly as the promotion for the points ends within a few weeks.

From people's experiences, how difficult has it been to redeem points for stays as I intend to do? I know it's subject to availability, but how good is that availability? (I know this will obviously differ from what category the hotel is, I normally stay at either Sydney which is a 6 or Melbourne PH which is a 4)

What do you mean by this kenbo? Do points undergo devaluation? Or get cancelled if not used over a certain period?

Also, apart from stays, can the points be used for anything else? ie dinners etc.

I've not had problems redeeming for stays that I want - but that often does involve advance planning on the more difficult properties. The PH Sydney is a big mystery right now since they are in the process of reopening after a year long renovation - I don't think that there were really bad availability problems before they closed IIRC. The PH Melbourne doesn't seem like a problem to me. However, only you can really answer your question about your stay pattern (last minute / advance planned, peak periods / off-peak periods, etc).

kenbo means that any loyalty program (airlines / hotels) undergo some devaluation periodically so we shouldn't ever look at the points as a "savings account" but that doesn't mean that we need to deplete our accounts "now" either. Hyatt's last "major" devaluation was the creation of Category 6 (which raised the points required for the top properties from 18,000 points per night to 22,000). Annually, there is usually some movement of properties from one category to another (some move down, usually more move up).

Usage of points for dining / spa services is currently being rolled out and would probably be the end of the year until its "universal" across all properties - however, the "value" in using points this way is very poor.

The PH MEL I generally reserve around $290/night, unsure of the PH SYD pricing, but until 100% complete, I wouldn't expect to have any award availability.

The PH MEL I generally reserve around $290/night, unsure of the PH SYD pricing, but until 100% complete, I wouldn't expect to have any award availability.

Yeah that's about what I reserved it for as well, how do you get access to the lounge on lvl 19? i got it complimentary with my booking because they stuffed something up. Is it to do with what GP status you hold?

Btw M0hamed, you must do A LOT of travelling, I just noticed how many reward programs you are platinum in, respect haha

Diamond Members get complimentary access, book a Club Deluxe Room or upgrade to a club room using GP points.

The PH MEL I generally reserve around $290/night, unsure of the PH SYD pricing, but until 100% complete, I wouldn't expect to have any award availability.

I have 2 nights booked at PH SYD with points in June.

I have 2 nights booked at PH SYD with points in June.

At 22,000 points a night?

At 22,000 points a night?

Yes. So we spent 44K points for 2 nights.:eek:

My thoughts living in Sydney and just coming out of the hyatt here . I would use a hsinn1 and not points.

I think it works out cheaper my fellow Aussie ;)