Tino -

Next time show the clerk the back of the certificate. Starting on the 7th line of the fine print: "Goods and services must be charged to the room and the Hyatt Check Certificate should be redeemed at the hotel desk at check-in or check-out."

One more clue about these certificates: when you get your Gold Passport statement, make sure that you get the correct number of points.

'nuff said.