Please help me understand timelines
 

I have not been able to travel for personal reasons but will be starting again full steam ahead in January. Since they still have the double stay promotion running until Jan 31st, I have a decent chance of actually hitting the 25 stay mark before the end of the month.

Am I right in my understanding that I would not only immediately requalify for Diamond status but also that it would extend through February of 2012? I spoke to the Diamond agent today and it was very hard to understand her.

Finally, the current promotion also includes FFN. Is it possible to use one of my Diamond guaranteed upgrades one a FFN stay or does it have to be a paid stay?

I appreciate help with what most of you must consider true beginner questions. Hyatt matched my status just when I had to stop travelling so the program is still a bit of a mystery to me - with the exception of an amazing stay at the PH in Paris last summer! Many thanks.

Yes, you immediately qualify for status in 2010 which then covers all of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.

Suite upgrade certs can only be used on paid stays.