Free 90 Day Hyatt Platinum Trial
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Until May 11, 2012, you can sign up (registration link) to get free Hyatt Platinum status for 90 days if you have any Visa Signature card. The registration page is buggy and works best if you use Internet Explorer. Hyatt Platinum members get a 15% point bonus on stays, free internet, preferred rooms and 2pm late checkout.
To retain the status you can do one of two things:
1) Stay 8 paid nights at any Hyatt within the 90 days of your trial membership
or
2) Get the Hyatt Visa, which automatically grants Platinum status. The reason why you'd want to enroll in this challenge before getting the card is that Hyatt gives two suite upgrade certificates to those who have Platinum status when they apply for the card (those who have Diamond status get their free nights in a suite) and spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. So once your account reflects Platinum and you get the card, you'll get two certificates that will upgrade any paid room reservation to a suite for up to 7 days each. These are the same suite upgrades that Diamond members get every year.
TPG reader Mason also tipped me off about a current offer for the Hyatt Card that will issue you a statement credit of $75, effectively waiving the first year's annual fee, with your first purchase. You can find the details on the offer page. So effectively, with this combination you'd be getting at least 90 days of of Platinum status, two nights at any Hyatt and two suite upgrade certificates all for free.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app