Hi everyone,
I am trying to stay at the Park Hyatt Maldives May 31 - June 5. Would be curious on people's feedback that have stayed there recently?
I'd like to stay here on points, but am new the Hyatt program. Currently have 32K points but no status.
Here's my mileage balances right now:
Marriott - 220K Points / Platinum Status
AA - 200K Miles / Platinum Status
Hyatt - 32K Points (no status)
Priority Club - 5K Points (no status)
SPG - 0 points / no status
Unfortunately, Marriott has nothing to offer in the Maldives, so Platinum status is useless for this trip. I'm debating whether to call for a status match at either Hyatt (or possibly Starwood given the number of properties in the Maldives).
Even if I get my Hyatt Elite status, I need to get some points pretty quickly in there. Any ideas (credit card sign up bonuses, bank accounts etc.) to fill-up that account quickly?
I see the 2-night Hyatt Credit Card from Chase, although I have already signed up for the Marriott and Continental card last month
Would appreciate feedback / suggestions on getting award stays in the Maldives without breaking the bank.
I have given your situation some thoughts and here is my recommendation as though if I were you.
1) Chase does not do card product transfer - I know that first hand - meaning you will need to reapply for yet another Chase card and in this case, the Hyatt VISA. If you are already approved for 2 cards, you will need to have a chat with them. Sometimes, they will agree to lower your credit limit on the other cards in agreeing to give you a 3rd one. It's worth a try, I would pursue that aggressively, so hopefully that will yield you two nights out of the 5 you require.
2) Assuming you complete Step 1 successfully, you still have 3 nights to cover, which is 66K Hyatt points. You already have 32K Hyatt points, so you need 34K points more. Ideally, you will try to hit the 36K Hyatt point package on April 15, which will give you just enough Hyatt points. But given only 15 packages available at that 36K range, it's unlikely you will get it. I'd shoot for snatching either a 24K or 30K package, which is a lot more abundant and you will have a better chance to get it. Any shortfall, which will be small, I will just cover by buying the points directly from Hyatt.
If you have a spouse or a SO, ideally the person you are going to Maldives with; he or she can also try to apply for a Chase VISA and get another 2 free nights. Then you will have 4 nights covered using free certificates and no need to buy points since you can buy the last night using your existing Hyatt point balance.
Hilton points will not go on sale until May 2, which may be a little late for your stay and am not sure you want to wait that long. You can keep that as a backup, if all things fail. But I would try the the above steps first if I were you.
Alternatively, you may also try Flyertalk Coupon Connection forum. You have enough resources to entice someone to trade with you, either for the Hyatt Maldives or the Hiltons in Maldives.