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.
