Dear All:

I am planning on going to Aruba with my family next year during a holiday period. I am planning on going for seven or eight nights free---three or four on points and four (two people) nights for the new credit cards.

Because I am a platinum member and will have the cc card I believe that we are entitled to a suite upgrade for those two night. However, my wife is not platinum.

I am wondering is there any way I can seek to try and get a Suite for the other five or six nights without paying a fee of $300 which is what I would told it would cost to upgrade.

Also, would they really put us in suite for two nights and then move us to a regular room?

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

since you are a platinum, you will get 2 suite upgrades valid on PAID stays.

Diamond members are the ones who get 2 free nights in a suite.

Your nights will all be in the regular room.

First of all, everyone with the Hyatt Visa is now Platinum but only Diamonds get their free nights in suites. So that's a no-go.

In terms of the rooms on points, Hyatt allows you to book a suite with points for approx 50% additional. Short of that, while it is conceivable you could get lucky, don't set yourself up to be disappointed. You'll get a nice room unless you make other arrangements with the hotel. Why not find out if they will comp breakfast as part of the $300 per night suite fee?

The suite upgrade is due to the free nights on the credit card, right? If that's the case I'd assume the other free nights on points you would have to pay the points rate for a suite.

Yes, the two nights I am counting on being in a suite are because I am in platinum and have a credit card--I had read here that the combo of platinum and a cc resulted in an upgrade so I am trying to figure out the other five or six nights...

I would not count on getting anything for free at the Regency Aruba during certain high season periods, property is booked more than solid.

yes, thats my concern because I know tha you are right....

does anyone know how the reg rooms would be there for a fam of 4?

thanks again everyone.....

The Hyatt Regency Aruba has been constructed during a period when more or less all American chains simply took their usual architectural styles abroad and copied their hotels 1:1 resulting in typical 1970/80/90s style rooms with a small bath room, often a tub/shower combi and rooms measuring 3-4 times 5-7 metres.

If you are able to secure a double/double room, such a room could sleep 4, however with just two chairs and one table or one small sofa, not to mention enough space to store all belongings and suitcases, I would recommend not to test the waters, if your kids have a certain age.

If your kids are old enough, I would go ahead and contact the property whether it is possible to book one room regularly and get another (connecting) room on points/awards/credit card sign up goodies.

Be aware however that you compete with tons of newly-weds, package tourists and even worse, Europeans, during high season on Aruba and most of them will contact the property with their own idea why they should get a suite or real balcony...

Do not get me wrong, I wish you all the luck in the world in order to book your desired date and rooms/suites, but I prefer posting the bare facts instead of promising you things that will very likely never materialize...

@fd 1971----thanks so much for the thoughtful note. I do appreciate it.

I guess I am curious if, since, I have the suite for two nights (because of the platinum and cc) they would actually move us to a regular room after two nights if I elect not to pay for the upgrade.

Where did you get that idea? Diamond with Chase Visa get suite for two nights, not Platinum.

Having been Platinum and getting the CC gets you:

2 Free nights in a regular room
2 Suite upgrade certificates usable only on revenue stays

Yes, but the OP mentioned two nights. The suite upgrade certs on revenue stays are valid for up to seven nights. Or is it only seven nights for Diamonds and two nights for Platinums?

The bolded part is where you are mistaken. You don't get any suite nights. As a platinum, your two free nights are in a regular room. (You get two suite upgrades to use on paid stays, but you don't seem to have any paid nights in your planned itinerary.)

Yes, but those two nights that the OP mentioned are not revenue nights! The point is that the suite upgrade certificates are only good on paid revenue nights -- regardless of status!

Otherwise, I believe that you are correct in assuming that the 'suite upgrade' certificates are the valid for up to 7 nts if on a revenue stay (ie. it's the same benefit that diamonds have)!

Thanks for the clarification re use of the Suite Upgrade for platinum members with the credit card.

One other question...I do have a fair number of points which would entitle us to a suite upgrade for some, but not all of the nights in Aruba.

My question is...would they move us from a suite room to a regular room if we only have enough points for the suite upgrade for about half the stay.

Have other people been moved from a suite to a regular room during a stay if they elected not to pay the difference or do hotels typically leave you in the room that you are in?

I will certainly be prepared to change rooms...but was just curious if others have had this experience....