Mar 26, 2016, 2:43 pm
Last edit by: silver springer
For checking balances (thanks to Brendan);
For those who don't know already, the US/ Canadian toll-free phone # for Hyatt Customer Service to check the value of Hyatt GCs is 1-866-784-0540. If calling from elsewhere, first dial the ++ code of the country from which you're calling, subject to the normal rate for ringing the USA.
Hyatt Customer Service suggested to check the value of your gift card (e-gift card or plastic) once a month
For those who don't know already, the US/ Canadian toll-free phone # for Hyatt Customer Service to check the value of Hyatt GCs is 1-866-784-0540. If calling from elsewhere, first dial the ++ code of the country from which you're calling, subject to the normal rate for ringing the USA.
Hyatt Customer Service suggested to check the value of your gift card (e-gift card or plastic) once a month
issues with Hyatt gift card
Dec 7, 2015, 12:31 pm
#31
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: DL, WoH
Posts: 1,253
I bought this $2000 E-GC directly on the Hyatt.com website.
Seems like Hyatt has had a security breach (or a relatively widespread weakness in their system; whatever the right word would be) and they have no way of fixing it in the short term. Rather disconcerting because unlike a Credit Card where you can 'dispute' a charge and have certain consumer protections - you are entirely at the mercy of Hyatt and whether they will do the right thing here.
Seems like Hyatt has had a security breach (or a relatively widespread weakness in their system; whatever the right word would be) and they have no way of fixing it in the short term. Rather disconcerting because unlike a Credit Card where you can 'dispute' a charge and have certain consumer protections - you are entirely at the mercy of Hyatt and whether they will do the right thing here.
Dec 7, 2015, 3:33 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I bought this $2000 E-GC directly on the Hyatt.com website.
Seems like Hyatt has had a security breach (or a relatively widespread weakness in their system; whatever the right word would be) and they have no way of fixing it in the short term. Rather disconcerting because unlike a Credit Card where you can 'dispute' a charge and have certain consumer protections - you are entirely at the mercy of Hyatt and whether they will do the right thing here.
Seems like Hyatt has had a security breach (or a relatively widespread weakness in their system; whatever the right word would be) and they have no way of fixing it in the short term. Rather disconcerting because unlike a Credit Card where you can 'dispute' a charge and have certain consumer protections - you are entirely at the mercy of Hyatt and whether they will do the right thing here.
Dec 9, 2015, 8:03 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AA Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 22
UPDATE - E-MAIL RECEIVED FROM HYATT About 2 Business Days after my Initial Interaction:
Good Evening, Mr. _________,
I'm writing to you today to follow up on our recent interaction regarding your Hyatt gift card. I'm happy to relate that your new gift card has been shipped today using mailing address _____________________.
MORAL OF STORY:
Don't buy E-Gift Cards for more than what you need in the Immediate Short Term or you could face some pain. Hyatt did do the right thing - cost me about an hour of my time (which negates ALL the cost savings of buying the EGC's). Hyatt did do the right thing here - Kudos.
Good Evening, Mr. _________,
I'm writing to you today to follow up on our recent interaction regarding your Hyatt gift card. I'm happy to relate that your new gift card has been shipped today using mailing address _____________________.
MORAL OF STORY:
Don't buy E-Gift Cards for more than what you need in the Immediate Short Term or you could face some pain. Hyatt did do the right thing - cost me about an hour of my time (which negates ALL the cost savings of buying the EGC's). Hyatt did do the right thing here - Kudos.
Dec 10, 2015, 8:38 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I purchased an e-card during the 10% off sale with expectations of using most of it the next day and finishing it off two weeks later.
At checkout for the initial stay the front desk manager comped a night for hassles we had with our first (and second) room(s) and wrote down the remaining balance on the paper.
At checkout 2 weeks later there was an amount missing that exactly matched a night's cost at hotel 1.
We paid the balance due at hotel 2 and I contacted the manager at hotel 1 who apologized and sent a gift card with the amount in question.
More hassle than I'd want but we're whole. Albeit with no booked or expected stays in the US.
At checkout for the initial stay the front desk manager comped a night for hassles we had with our first (and second) room(s) and wrote down the remaining balance on the paper.
At checkout 2 weeks later there was an amount missing that exactly matched a night's cost at hotel 1.
We paid the balance due at hotel 2 and I contacted the manager at hotel 1 who apologized and sent a gift card with the amount in question.
More hassle than I'd want but we're whole. Albeit with no booked or expected stays in the US.
Dec 14, 2015, 7:28 pm
#35
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 29
I was given a $75 E-Gift Card by Hyatt Customer Service over the summer in response to feedback I had left regarding a stay. I attempted to use the card last month and was told the card had a zero balance. I paid with my CC and contacted Hyatt. I was told the card had been used at another Hyatt just a few weeks before.
Customer Service issued me another card within a week. So besides what's been described here - there are some security issues regarding the safekeeping of the cards in general.
Customer Service issued me another card within a week. So besides what's been described here - there are some security issues regarding the safekeeping of the cards in general.
Dec 14, 2015, 9:22 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
I think the issues are seem to be more so with the e-Gift cards than the physical gift cards. Have others had issues with the physical cards?
Dec 15, 2015, 11:28 am
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 103
Dec 15, 2015, 11:52 am
#39
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Ever since I found out about this gift card issue in early November, I have been checking 14 (physical) cards regularly in preparation for an upcoming family, multiple-room trip this month. Just finished a round of checks and all balances are intact. Don't know if this matters, but all cards were purchased from a third-party site that goes by the name Card+something you swim in.
Dec 15, 2015, 12:00 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 103
The cards all came with all the numbers revealed. I assume the original holder of the card or the third-party has to do it at some point to verify the balance.
Dec 15, 2015, 12:02 pm
#41
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Yeah, I keep thinking that one of the calls is going to say "your balance is $0.00." Fortunately it hasn't happened yet, and I'll/we'll be free of these cards soon. Just sucks that I have to worry about it.
The cards all came with all the numbers revealed. I assume the original holder of the card or the third-party has to do it at some point to verify the balance.
The cards all came with all the numbers revealed. I assume the original holder of the card or the third-party has to do it at some point to verify the balance.
Dec 19, 2015, 6:04 am
#42
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,423
Having a nightmare with the ecard. Had a large balance stolen (and taken down to zero) earlier and refunded. Then noticed a smaller fraudulant transaction on my new ecard.
I really hoped they had fixed the issue, but now have $800+ that I need to find some way to keep long enough not to lose again. Customer service tried to resolve by sending me a gift cheque for $800+ that wouldn't be subject to any fraud; however, would be useless to me as I never have a single bill anywhere near $800 for personal stays.
Still waiting for resolution, but leery of any gift card, physical or e. They seemed to indicate that both types were susceptible to fraud which is why they tried to give me the useless check.
I really hoped they had fixed the issue, but now have $800+ that I need to find some way to keep long enough not to lose again. Customer service tried to resolve by sending me a gift cheque for $800+ that wouldn't be subject to any fraud; however, would be useless to me as I never have a single bill anywhere near $800 for personal stays.
Still waiting for resolution, but leery of any gift card, physical or e. They seemed to indicate that both types were susceptible to fraud which is why they tried to give me the useless check.
Dec 19, 2015, 6:10 am
#43
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,457
I was hoping that this was merely an issue related to the previous ability to check balances online... it appears that this is not the fact... there appears to be more going on here.. I wonder why the HGP concierge hasn't made a statement...
FDW
FDW
Dec 19, 2015, 8:06 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist No More..., Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 4,375
Having a nightmare with the ecard. Had a large balance stolen (and taken down to zero) earlier and refunded. Then noticed a smaller fraudulant transaction on my new ecard.
I really hoped they had fixed the issue, but now have $800+ that I need to find some way to keep long enough not to lose again. Customer service tried to resolve by sending me a gift cheque for $800+ that wouldn't be subject to any fraud; however, would be useless to me as I never have a single bill anywhere near $800 for personal stays.
Still waiting for resolution, but leery of any gift card, physical or e. They seemed to indicate that both types were susceptible to fraud which is why they tried to give me the useless check.
I really hoped they had fixed the issue, but now have $800+ that I need to find some way to keep long enough not to lose again. Customer service tried to resolve by sending me a gift cheque for $800+ that wouldn't be subject to any fraud; however, would be useless to me as I never have a single bill anywhere near $800 for personal stays.
Still waiting for resolution, but leery of any gift card, physical or e. They seemed to indicate that both types were susceptible to fraud which is why they tried to give me the useless check.
Dec 19, 2015, 8:51 am
#45
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, AA Gold, FB Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 3,294
Got caught with a $0 balance two weeks ago on a $500 card purchased from Raise.com. This was a card that had still had a $500 balance as per telephone call-in three weeks prior. Two other $250 cards purchased in same batch were still working, so I used them to check out and then called Hyatt.
Nothing made any sense. They gave me a used date that did fall in the period since I had called in to check on the card balance. But they could not/would not -- even after several transfers -- tell me where it was used (or by whom).
I called Raise.com. They apologized profusely and said that these were cards that came from Hyatt directly (not re-sale?) and that Hyatt had not loaded it. Seems to contradict my prior call-in to check balance, but since Raise.com was willing to reimburse, I figured no harm/no foul.
Except for unexpected collateral damage. Raise.com was going to charge the amount paid back to my credit card, and if you are reading this board, you can guess what would have come next: I might have had $800 worth of TYP bonus points clawed back, since the original purchase was to meet a Citi Prestige minimum spend. Eventually I got Raise.com to just give me a new egift card, and so far nothing seems to have hit the credit card. I called in yesterday, and there seems to be $500 on the new card, but, yeah, I am looking forward with some anxiety to getting rid of it on stay next week. (Assuming I still have any stays if and when Hyatt website reappears... assuming Hyatt website ever reappears....)
I'm still an idiot, though. None of this stopped me from just buying some more Hyatt e-gift certificates to take advantage of the $25 back on $200 spend at Newegg.com, from Amex offers.
Nothing made any sense. They gave me a used date that did fall in the period since I had called in to check on the card balance. But they could not/would not -- even after several transfers -- tell me where it was used (or by whom).
I called Raise.com. They apologized profusely and said that these were cards that came from Hyatt directly (not re-sale?) and that Hyatt had not loaded it. Seems to contradict my prior call-in to check balance, but since Raise.com was willing to reimburse, I figured no harm/no foul.
Except for unexpected collateral damage. Raise.com was going to charge the amount paid back to my credit card, and if you are reading this board, you can guess what would have come next: I might have had $800 worth of TYP bonus points clawed back, since the original purchase was to meet a Citi Prestige minimum spend. Eventually I got Raise.com to just give me a new egift card, and so far nothing seems to have hit the credit card. I called in yesterday, and there seems to be $500 on the new card, but, yeah, I am looking forward with some anxiety to getting rid of it on stay next week. (Assuming I still have any stays if and when Hyatt website reappears... assuming Hyatt website ever reappears....)
I'm still an idiot, though. None of this stopped me from just buying some more Hyatt e-gift certificates to take advantage of the $25 back on $200 spend at Newegg.com, from Amex offers.