Diamond Trial -- Suite upgrades

Thanks for the information in this thread. I started a Diamond trial in mid Dec 2012 and used one of the suite upgrades. I had thought the 4 I got were the ones I would get through 2013 but apparently I have to burn the remaining 3 by feb 2013 and then get another 4 after that for 2013-2014.

You do not have to burn them by Feb 2013....you have to BOOK them by that date. And if you end up making any changes, you will lose them...but better than burning them IMO.

I am on a Diamond Trial, as well. I'll be staying at the SFO property in a couple weeks and called to see about using a suite upgrade. The pleasant CS agent applied my (now Diamond) GP number to the reservation and then told me that there are no suites available for my stay; is this typical when attempting to use the suite upgrades?

Having four that expire by the end of February won't do me much good if I can't use them...

Thanks,
--woodstock

It's based on availability, so this depends on the property and your dates. If it matters, ask about using the suite upgrade before making a reservation or if it's refundable, try to change so that you can get a suite.

At least something good from Hyatt. They should give the suite upgrades to regular diamond members.

I don't think you'd have any more luck in getting the suite upgrade for the same dates the OP is trying. Offering Diamond trials/challenges is a legitimate business strategy to attract new customers and the fact that you don't like won't change Hyatt's approach. FWIW, I don't think there are that many diamonds to really complain about this.

I think I'm 5 of 6 when trying to use the certs. Most of my uses have been last minute; only time it was denied was the Gainey Ranch HR Scottsdale. I tried booking the day of stay and the hotel was almost completely full.
I think I would have gotten the upgrade had I booked the room days earlier.

In my very limited Hyatt lounge experience, this is VERY true. HH lounges are overrun.

It's extremely generous that Hyatt gives suite upgrades for trials. Actually, probably too generous. Can't believe people are actually complaining about details like their validity past a certain date (especially when it has already been explained that one can even use them for bookings at later dates, just has to make the booking until that date).

I could understand Hyatt offering one or two suite upgrades as part of the Diamond Trail, but four seems like it's extremely overly generous, especially if people who fail to qualify can still use the upgrades later. It makes me wonder whether people are signing up for the Diamond Challenge for the suite upgrades and lounge access, etc. during the trial period, knowing very well that they will not qualify for Diamond under the terms of the challenge. I hope that Hyatt is very serious about enforcing a once-in-a-lifetime restriction in these cases.

ADDED DISCLOSURE: I'm saying this as someone who got comped Diamond due to SMD3, enjoyed the suite upgrades (including some that were applied to advanced reservations for future stays), and then did requalify for Diamond according to the standard rules even though Hyatt's small footprint makes this difficult for me. Hyatt has treated me very well.

What typically qualifies one for a Hyatt Diamond Challenge?

I'm currently SPG Platinum and wondering if that generally works.

M

I agree it is quite generous. Sad that I really can't use practically any of them...

just signed up for the trial, and over the phone the agent told me that i'll only get my suite upgrade certs not before 1st march. That shouldn't be the case right, given that my trial period ends 31st march.

did you already start your trial?