notquiteaff

That's roughly how I look at it as well, except that if it's a decision between going for Diamond or staying at Platinum level, the internet savings don't factor in since it's free for both elite levels.

My breakfast valuation would also be somewhat lower, because I wouldn't pay $20 to $32 each day per person if I didn't get free breakfast. While I might splurge on some days, most of the time I'd just get a mocha and a scone at a local Starbucks (if available).

But again, the approach you are taking for valuing the benefits is sound and should help the OP come to a decision based on his/her expected travel pattern.

rbAA

Excellent! What are the hours and pay rate? Is travel involved?

rbAA

Agreed, however the convenience factor is involved, so the value is still there. As I always say, if it's free I'll take two.

karung99

I don't think I want to take two breakfasts

y2k1jetta

How many nights to you plan on spending in Hyatt next year?

I have calculated that with a regency club and with family of four, it is worth $33.00 a night on average with a regency club solo and $51.00 a night with kids and wife. Maybe more in more in top dollar cities like DC, NYC and SF.

Resort fees are not included in my average.

Boraxo

Since it has been roughly 3 years since the last post on this topic I thought I would check current wisdom seeing as there have been a few program changes (no more FFNs, etc.)

I currently have 7 nights booked so I would be looking at a 5 night mattress run, which could run $100/nt in this area though hoping to do it for less.

As Plat I already get free internet, and often free breakfast is included in our corporate rate. So at this point I am looking at:

• 2 suite nights (instead of regular nights) when I apply for Chase card
• Lounge access - does this include all resorts?
• Resort fee waivers??
• Suite upgrade certs - but do these apply to special promo rates, i.e. Hyatt Incline casino rate?
• 15% bonus points on stays (v. Plat)
• 4pm late checkout (but not guaranteed when I really need it - at resorts)

Did I miss anything?

missydarlin

depending on where you use your suite nights, that could be worth the $500 all by itself.

Dettmann1

I'm in the same boat, but I have a much larger hill to climb to Diamond status (18 nights). I'll probably end up letting it lapse and then hope I can do a status challenge next year. For me the figures are slightly differently since I'm in Atlanta where they are running the Gx bonuses for all of the local properties. That sort of ups the equation and makes it nearly a break even depending on how you calculate the value of points. But at what its going to cost ($70 a night with tax) I'm looking at $1200 bucks out of pocket. Not sure I want to spend that even with the points I'd get (96,000).

Brituchenite

I had a slow year in 2012 and my diamond status lapsed. Boy oh boy did I miss that this year. I re qualified for diamond last weekend, and am jubilant! Immediately applied a suite upgrade to my upcoming stay at The Churchill in London. Paid 244 UK pounds a night, and am in a suite that costs 818 UK pounds per night.

Can't beat that! Diamond status rocks!

peteropny

Lounge access at all properties including resorts
Resort fee is discounted $5/day for diamonds
Suite upgrade Certs apply to most discounted rates - not absolutely sure about the 1 you mention

Breakfast in restaurant if no club

4aks

Diamond is highly valuable for me roughly three times a year ... booking into sold out hotels, and using an occasional suite upgrade

I'd be paying for club access on many stays, so that value adds up fast

I'm short on stays this year, so will be doing some mattress runs at $100/nt - the fall bonus comes in for a welcome 'rebate' on those mattress run costs

hobo13

ATL Gx boni + fall promo + cheap ATL HPs = potentially mattress runnable

Jetsfan

I pursued Diamond status one year. Breakfasts are good, but you are better off treating yourself every now and then than going through the effort of accumulating Hyatt stays to get a free breakfast. I used the 4 pm checkout once and it was great. Another time the hotel could not let us use our suite after noon, but moved us to a regular room until 6 pm, so we could relax at the hotel pool all day. I think this treatment was because of the Diamond status.

kevino

96k points are worth a lot more than $1200.

Ancien Maestro

+1.. If you're that close, you've got to go for it!

Diamond status is worth it for us for access to suites. We family travel for leisure, so we generally need the extra space. Lounge access is bonus and really convenient.

At Fairmont, the other chain I stay at frequently, there seems to be more availability to upgrade to suites on their gold floor (Fairmont lounge, and hotel within a hotel).. so I may just start staying on the gold floors more frequently. We had our first experience at Chateau Lake Louise on the gold floor. Having our first lounge experience, I decided this is one of the factors for our involvement with Hyatt, as lounges are included. Most of our stays are now with Hyatt, a first for us in more than 10 years.