I'm able to pull this off occasionally on business trips but not regularly. We often do project at the hotel in question. So when the project is at a Hyatt, it's rare that I can a) get a rate equivalent to the discount we receive on account of our meeting and b) there's an SPG property within walking distance.

Now onto a separate question:

I'd considered that at some point I could status match SPG Plat to Hyatt Diamond. I was going to wait on this. But given that I will not make SPG Plat this year, should I go ahead with the match? Can I match to Diamond and ALSO requalify through Feb. 2012 via the challenge?