Hyatt is selectively extending suite upgrade and free night certificates
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
It looks like Santa is granting some wishes for some World of Hyatt members.
The Chicago-based hotel chain is selectively extending the validity of expiring free night and upgrades awards, as first reported by Traveling Well for Less.
Top-tier Globalist members — those that earn 60 or more elite-qualifying nights each year — can reach out to their dedicated concierge agent to ask for an extension of suite upgrade awards and free night certificates that are set to expire on Dec. 31., according to the report. The concierge can also assist with reservations and account inquiries, among other things.
The “My Hyatt Concierge” team is empowered to extend suite upgrades and free night awards by six months.
If you have expiring club lounge access awards, those can be converted into a lump sum of points (either 500 or 3,000) only after these awards expire, according to the report.
TPG reached out to Hyatt for more information about the reported extensions and received the following statement from a spokesperson.
At this time, we do not have plans to remove expiration dates from awards, and true to understanding and care, we will continue to listen to member feedback to evaluate ways to flex the program. World of Hyatt has a history of providing flexibility for members who have experienced hardships, and we will continue to extend care for members as global recovery evolves.
Related: How and when to use Hyatt upgrade certificates
No extension for non-Globalist members
While Hyatt is being generous to its top-tier members, it doesn’t appear that the same flexibility is being extended to its other loyal travelers.
But all hope is not lost. If you have an expiring award but don’t have a dedicated concierge, you may have success getting an extension by reaching out to the chain on social media or via the in-app chat feature.
For example, TPG's Summer Hull is a 50-night Globalist member without access to a dedicated concierge. She has several awards expiring on Dec. 31, 2021, so she called Hyatt. When she called, a Hyatt agent said she'd get a minimum of 500 points per expired Club Access award and 10,000 per expired reward night. However, the agent said she'd need to call in again after the awards expire.
As a Hyatt Globalist myself, I'm sitting on a handful of Hyatt free night and club access awards that are due to expire in seven days. Earlier this week, I reached out to my dedicated concierge agent, who told me that World of Hyatt wasn't doing any extensions on awards expiring on Dec. 31 because they were previously extended in 2020.
My agent recommended that I either gift my awards to family or friends staying with the chain in the next few days or reach out again in the new year to see if there's anything that could be done.
After speaking to other TPG reporters who had success getting their awards extended, I reached out again to Hyatt's chat team, who shared some positive news with me.
I see you have 4 Club Access Awards in which we can offer 3k points as a courtesy. Otherwise, we can offer 10k points for your 1-4 awards and 20k for your 1-7 award expiring on December 31st. Would you like to go ahead with that?
During the height of the pandemic last year, the chain was one of the first to extend expiring certificates and upgrade awards, but it hasn’t (officially) processed any additional extensions outside of asking a dedicated concierge.
While the chain is now making exceptions on a case-by-case basis, many TPG readers and loyal Hyatt members have reached out to express their frustration with the program’s seemingly stingy extension policy.
Of course, travel rebounded somewhat in 2021 (relative to 2020), but Hyatt‘s competitors have nonetheless been more generous in recent months.
Both Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors have extended all current free night awards through June 2022, while IHG Rewards is giving members until Dec. 31, 2022, to use awards earned in 2021.
With the spread of the omicron variant, most of my friends have canceled or significantly scaled back their holiday plans, so I'll definitely exchange my awards for points to use at a later date.
If you're in the same boat, it can't hurt to reach out to Hyatt. Perhaps Santa will still be around granting some wishes.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.