[GONE] Costco selling Hyatt Check Certificates (Not Applicable to Pre-paid Rates)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
[GONE] Costco selling Hyatt Check Certificates (Not Applicable to Pre-paid Rates)
My local Costco is selling Hyatt gift checks - 2x$50 for $80. Purchase them by taking a laminated card to the cashier and they give you the gift checks. Not sure how widespread this is, as the laminated card seems kind of homemade, so perhaps they are test marketing the idea.
I can't find any limitations on use of the checks in terms of earning points, FFNs, etc. Basically looking at this as a way to get 20% off any spending on room, food, etc.
Does anyone know of issues I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!
Edit by peteropny Addition of FAQs:
Are these certs usable on prepaid rates?
According to the T&Cs - these certificates are not applicable to pre-paid rates since the credit card is charged "at that time" - However, some people have reported being able to get the property to reverse the charge to credit card and apply these certificates to the stay - This is going above and beyond - do not expect properties to do that.
What rates are these certs usable on?
Most stays that are not prepaid may be paid for by these certs. There has been reports of refusal of properties to accept these certs for "pre-negotiated" rates (corporate, conference) but AAA, Senior, Costco & Government rates should not be a problem. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14130848-post1271.html
Can incidentals be paid for with these certs?
If the incidentals are generated by property owned sources - YES. If its from a third party provider - YMMV.
Can you get change in cash from these certs?
Generally no but if you know that the folio is under a $50 increment - you can always charge more to the room to get to the $50 multiple (ie if your room charges with tax is $198 - it may be beneficial to charge $2 (or slightly more) to the room so that you can use 4 of the $50 certs).
Is $50 the only denomination that is sold?
Yes - except it appears that Hyatt mistakenly shipped some $25 ones to a Chicago area Costco but they've been withdrawn.
Which Costcos carry these certs?
It appears that most (if not all) Costcos have at some point carried these certs. Please post if certain Costcos do not carry them (and not just out of stock for a few days). You can check on whether a particular Costco carry (and have in stock) these certs by calling and asking for the admin office.
Does usage of these certs affect the "eligibility" of stay credit, points, miles, promotions (such as BWB, AA25K etc)?
No - "eligibility" is governed by the underlying reservation and other T&Cs of promotions - these certs are just a form of payment.
What properties can these certs be used at?
According to - https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/W...lidHotels.aspx - Check Certs (which these are) may be used at all Hyatt properties worldwide. However, at non-US locations, usage would be subject to the property's posted exchange rate between USD and the local currency which probably would render the savings smaller than the up to 20% at US properties - YMMV on this issue.
I can't find any limitations on use of the checks in terms of earning points, FFNs, etc. Basically looking at this as a way to get 20% off any spending on room, food, etc.
Does anyone know of issues I'm not thinking of?
Thanks!
Edit by peteropny Addition of FAQs:
Are these certs usable on prepaid rates?
According to the T&Cs - these certificates are not applicable to pre-paid rates since the credit card is charged "at that time" - However, some people have reported being able to get the property to reverse the charge to credit card and apply these certificates to the stay - This is going above and beyond - do not expect properties to do that.
What rates are these certs usable on?
Most stays that are not prepaid may be paid for by these certs. There has been reports of refusal of properties to accept these certs for "pre-negotiated" rates (corporate, conference) but AAA, Senior, Costco & Government rates should not be a problem. See http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/14130848-post1271.html
Can incidentals be paid for with these certs?
If the incidentals are generated by property owned sources - YES. If its from a third party provider - YMMV.
Can you get change in cash from these certs?
Generally no but if you know that the folio is under a $50 increment - you can always charge more to the room to get to the $50 multiple (ie if your room charges with tax is $198 - it may be beneficial to charge $2 (or slightly more) to the room so that you can use 4 of the $50 certs).
Is $50 the only denomination that is sold?
Yes - except it appears that Hyatt mistakenly shipped some $25 ones to a Chicago area Costco but they've been withdrawn.
Which Costcos carry these certs?
It appears that most (if not all) Costcos have at some point carried these certs. Please post if certain Costcos do not carry them (and not just out of stock for a few days). You can check on whether a particular Costco carry (and have in stock) these certs by calling and asking for the admin office.
Does usage of these certs affect the "eligibility" of stay credit, points, miles, promotions (such as BWB, AA25K etc)?
No - "eligibility" is governed by the underlying reservation and other T&Cs of promotions - these certs are just a form of payment.
What properties can these certs be used at?
According to - https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/W...lidHotels.aspx - Check Certs (which these are) may be used at all Hyatt properties worldwide. However, at non-US locations, usage would be subject to the property's posted exchange rate between USD and the local currency which probably would render the savings smaller than the up to 20% at US properties - YMMV on this issue.
Last edited by peteropny; Jun 17, 2010 at 4:48 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,959
I saw these but thought they said for use at HP/SS hotels and I was not sure they would be good at full service Hyatt's?
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
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Which Costco locations have you seen these at? I have not seen them at my local (Metro Detroit) locations.
This would certainly help me next month, as I plan 13 stays in January (to requalify for Diamond through 2/12).
The only challenge I see is asking the check in person to accept them at check in vs. check out, since I don't really plan to spend the night during any of these stays.
This would certainly help me next month, as I plan 13 stays in January (to requalify for Diamond through 2/12).
The only challenge I see is asking the check in person to accept them at check in vs. check out, since I don't really plan to spend the night during any of these stays.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: PDX/AUS
Programs: AA-UA-AS IHG-SPG-Carlson
Posts: 4,562
Not listed with their other gift cards at costco.com,
so maybe not available nationwide.
so maybe not available nationwide.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,982
I was at Costco yesterday in Chicago, and have not seen these here.
#6
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
We just called the Costco in Carlsbad, CA, and were told that they carry the Hyatt gift cards. Since we haven't seen them, we do not know if they are good at all the Hyatt brands, or only HP/SS as bbbb thinks.
#7
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Clinging to the edifices of a decadent past from the biggest city in America nobody really cares about.
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Posts: 9,077
Evening all --
My Costco (greater IAH area) carries the Hyatt GC's and I've used them at SS and HP's -- T&Cs
My Costco (greater IAH area) carries the Hyatt GC's and I've used them at SS and HP's -- T&Cs
Last edited by J.Edward; Dec 7, 2009 at 9:22 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3
hyatt gift cards at Costco
I just bought a slew of these in King of Prussia, PA. (I live in CA but am visiting family here.) Don't think there are any restrictions - check "certificates.hyatt.com" for details. They are Hyatt Check Certificates, not gift cards, and it looks to me as if they are valid just about anywhere, and for anything except for on-site concessions. What a great way to save 20%!!!
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: EWR
Programs: UAPlat; *Gold; Hyatt Diam; SPG Plat; PWP goddess
Posts: 16,525
I just bought a slew of these in King of Prussia, PA. (I live in CA but am visiting family here.) Don't think there are any restrictions - check "certificates.hyatt.com" for details. They are Hyatt Check Certificates, not gift cards, and it looks to me as if they are valid just about anywhere, and for anything except for on-site concessions. What a great way to save 20%!!!
#10
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
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Posts: 8,076
Just called the Fountain Valley, CA store and they carry them: 2x$50 for $80, as stated above.
Thank you OP ^
Thank you OP ^
#11
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,747
I just bought a slew of these in King of Prussia, PA. (I live in CA but am visiting family here.) Don't think there are any restrictions - check "certificates.hyatt.com" for details. They are Hyatt Check Certificates, not gift cards, and it looks to me as if they are valid just about anywhere, and for anything except for on-site concessions. What a great way to save 20%!!!
https://www.certificates.hyatt.com/W...lidHotels.aspx
Look in the "check" column. I don't see any property that doesn't participate.
This is a seasonal product for my Costco. After I bought mine, they still had 63 2 x $50 checks. They don't currently have any plans to reorder.
Last edited by SanDiego1K; Dec 7, 2009 at 5:37 pm Reason: No, no, I didn't buy 63
#12
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
Wow! I would imagine Costco makes another 10% or so to sell the certificates. Sounds like Hyatt really wants to sell them in the down economy.
It seems strange that Hyatt no longer gives GP points with purchases gift cards and certs directly on their website. A few years back they ran a promotion of 10 GP points with every dollar of gift cards purchased. I purchased a bunch and gave them as employee incentives and gifts.
I would think Hyatt would sell a lot more cards and certs without having to discount margins by 30% if they went the GP route and increased customer loyalty via GP.
It seems strange that Hyatt no longer gives GP points with purchases gift cards and certs directly on their website. A few years back they ran a promotion of 10 GP points with every dollar of gift cards purchased. I purchased a bunch and gave them as employee incentives and gifts.
I would think Hyatt would sell a lot more cards and certs without having to discount margins by 30% if they went the GP route and increased customer loyalty via GP.
#14
Join Date: May 2006
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