Award Nights Expiring - a sad story
Jan 30, 2012, 12:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SAN
Posts: 887
Award Nights Expiring - a sad story
We are traveling to Australia and New Zealand. We were supposed to have already left for Hong Kong for a few days, and then continue on to New Zealand. Unfortunately, my 3.5-year-old got sick on Friday. We were able to shift the whole trip back a day. Then another day... But he's still sick. We probably will now leave on Wed. And will have to skip HK. And my award nights are expiring tomorrow.
Since you are the people that would understand, I had to share.
We are going to be stuck again because my wife's 2 nights are expiring at the end of Feb. But the Sydney Hyatt isn't taking reservations until the 13th. So we will be in Sydney for a few days when we arrive but will not be able to use those either.
Since you are the people that would understand, I had to share.
We are going to be stuck again because my wife's 2 nights are expiring at the end of Feb. But the Sydney Hyatt isn't taking reservations until the 13th. So we will be in Sydney for a few days when we arrive but will not be able to use those either.
Last edited by emaij; Jan 30, 2012 at 4:46 pm
Jan 30, 2012, 1:59 pm
#2
Formerly known as iahsumr
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 520
Oh no! That is horrible. I absolutely feel your pain on kiddos getting sick when it comes time to travel. Any chance of doing Hong Kong on the back end of your trip and using your wife's nights there?
Hopefully at least you can find a way to use them somewhere nice before the end of Feb. Hope your kiddo feels better soon and you enjoy your travels as much as possible.
Hopefully at least you can find a way to use them somewhere nice before the end of Feb. Hope your kiddo feels better soon and you enjoy your travels as much as possible.
Jan 30, 2012, 2:08 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SAN
Posts: 887
We are not returning until March, as it stands right now. And given that we are losing days on this end of the trip, we probably are not going to want to cut it short on the other end of the trip.
We could fly to Maui tomorrow to use all the nights... but Alex isn't well yet. And even a 5 hour flight could be rough for him.
We probably will fly back from Sydney, at which point the Sydney Hyatt will be open... but my wife's nights will have expired at that point.
We could fly to Maui tomorrow to use all the nights... but Alex isn't well yet. And even a 5 hour flight could be rough for him.
We probably will fly back from Sydney, at which point the Sydney Hyatt will be open... but my wife's nights will have expired at that point.
Jan 30, 2012, 3:01 pm
#4
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
Sorry to hear this 
However, why don't you salvage the free nights by at least trying to book a stay at the PH Aviara which should be pretty close to home. Not exactly ideal but at least you'll salvage some use out of it.
However, why don't you salvage the free nights by at least trying to book a stay at the PH Aviara which should be pretty close to home. Not exactly ideal but at least you'll salvage some use out of it.
Jan 30, 2012, 3:13 pm
#6
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
Where else in Australia are you going, there are Hyatts in several cities (albeit nothing on the level of the PH SYD)?
Jan 30, 2012, 3:26 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SAN
Posts: 887
We were primarily planning on traveling through New Zealand and perhaps a couple of islands - Cook Islands, New Caledonia, Papeete...
Sydney just made sense because we got a great flight LAX-SYD-LAX. And the Sydney Hyatt is... well, you know what it is.
Sydney just made sense because we got a great flight LAX-SYD-LAX. And the Sydney Hyatt is... well, you know what it is.
Jan 30, 2012, 3:49 pm
#8
Formerly known as iahsumr
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 520
Agreed, until he is better, going somewhere would be more trouble than it's worth. Fingers crossed that tomorrow is better than today for you all!
Jan 30, 2012, 6:05 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott // WN, AA, BA, UA, AS // Avis
Posts: 1,314
Ugh. I feel the pain. I had some points expire last year I could do nothing with and it was physically painful for me. Free nights lost would be even more so.
Jan 30, 2012, 6:07 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Scenic Great Plains USA
Programs: AGR Starwood Whoever I can get points with :D
Posts: 677
We are traveling to Australia and New Zealand. We were supposed to have already left for Hong Kong for a few days, and then continue on to New Zealand. Unfortunately, my 3.5-year-old got sick on Friday. We were able to shift the whole trip back a day. Then another day... But he's still sick. We probably will now leave on Wed. And will have to skip HK. And my award nights are expiring tomorrow.
Since you are the people that would understand, I had to share.
We are going to be stuck again because my wife's 2 nights are expiring at the end of Feb. But the Sydney Hyatt isn't taking reservations until the 13th. So we will be in Sydney for a few days when we arrive but will not be able to use those either.
Since you are the people that would understand, I had to share.
We are going to be stuck again because my wife's 2 nights are expiring at the end of Feb. But the Sydney Hyatt isn't taking reservations until the 13th. So we will be in Sydney for a few days when we arrive but will not be able to use those either.
Jan 30, 2012, 6:48 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,908
Take it easy - these are only free nights from cc. Unfortunate but not for example as bad as nonrefundable tickets or priceline stays.
Last year we had 3 spg resort nights expire because of family emergency. A year before it was 1 or 2 intercontinental nights because of work schedule conflicts.
Bummer but you 'll apply for another card and get more points. Easy come easy go.
Last year we had 3 spg resort nights expire because of family emergency. A year before it was 1 or 2 intercontinental nights because of work schedule conflicts.
Bummer but you 'll apply for another card and get more points. Easy come easy go.
Jan 31, 2012, 2:51 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: SAN
Posts: 887
Possible Happy Ending
I received a message from the manager of Gold Passport. I will be given extra time, in light of the circumstances. Once Alex is feeling better, we can figure out if and when we will be able to use the nights.