Hyatt's been providing status matches for nearly two months now, but the process has been very informal, with a vague tweet and individual experiences serving as the only confirmation. I completed the match and received four suite upgrades (with four more on the way), and I've already booked a handful of Hyatt reservations with the hope of maintaining my new Diamond status for at least another year. But despite all the customer reports and other coverage, Hyatt hasn't shared anything official — until this week.
Now, Hyatt is advertising its status match promotion through the sales teams at individual hotels. Technically, you need to sign up through a hotel salesperson directly, though the old method of emailing goldpassport@hyatt.com may still work. If you don't have luck there, a TPG reader (who happens to work as a Hyatt sales manager) has kindly offered to help request your match — simply email him your Starwood credentials (including a current SPG statement that includes your status level and stay activity).
Update: Due to overwhelming response (no surprise there), our Hyatt contact has requested that his email be removed as he works through the applications. In the meantime, you can try requesting a match by emailing goldpassport@hyatt.com. Alternatively, you can call your favorite Hyatt hotel, ask for the sales department and speak with a business travel sales manager about status matching.
As per the terms, Hyatt is matching Starwood status specifically — Gold will be matched to Hyatt Platinum, and SPG Platinum will be matched to Hyatt Diamond. You must have current SPG status with at least one qualifying stay in 2015 or 2016 (20 qualifying nights for the Diamond match). You must request your status match by February 29, 2016, and status will be valid through February 28, 2017.
As a reminder, the full Hyatt Diamond benefits include:
– A 30% point bonus when choosing points.
– An upgrade to the best room available upon arrival, excluding suites.
– Access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres, or full breakfast in hotels without a club lounge.
– Confirm a suite upgrade at the time of reservation four times annually on eligible paid nights.
– Receive a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay.
– Receive a nightly room refresh.
– Receive complimentary premium internet access where available.
– Expedited check-in at a dedicated area for elite members.
– Ensure a room is always available with our 48-hour guarantee.
– Extend your stay until 4:00 p.m. with a late check out request.
– Book reservations through an exclusive Diamond line.
– Two complimentary one-time-use United Club passes annually.
You can get a ton of value from Gold Passport elite status, so if you're eligible to participate, you absolutely should. Note that Hyatt points are much easier to earn than Starpoints, since you can transfer points instantly from Ultimate Rewards, earned with a card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which is currently offering 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 within the first three months. If you're not eligible for this status match, note that Hyatt Platinum status is included as a perk of the Hyatt Visa card.
Are you a newly minted Hyatt elite?
