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You can now earn Hyatt points and elite nights at a campsite in California

Sept. 25, 2020
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3 min read
Ventana Big Sur
You can now earn Hyatt points and elite nights at a campsite in California
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With the pandemic continuing on, many travelers are looking for outdoor adventures that maintain distance from others.

That's why we've seen dramatically increased interest in booking RVs, securing reservations at national parks and planning the perfect road trip.

And while these trips are great for social distancing, there's one downside for fans of loyalty programs — there are typically fewer opportunities to earn or redeem points.

But with World of Hyatt's latest update, you now have an opportunity to earn points at a campsite in California's famed Big Sur. Effective immediately, World of Hyatt members can now earn points and Tier-Qualifying Night credits when booking camping sites at the Ventana Big Sur.

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As a Hyatt spokesperson explains,



When World of Hyatt members pay an eligible rate for camping and glamping reservations at Ventana Big Sur, they will earn 5 Base Points per every eligible U.S. dollar spent, plus standard elite tier bonuses and Tier-Qualifying Night Credits, which qualify toward earning Milestone Rewards. This officially marks World of Hyatt’s first camping and glamping accommodations that allow members to boost point earning and tier status!

The Ventana Big Sur, an Alila branded resort, is one of Hyatt's top properties in North America. As part of Hyatt's acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality back in 2018, the chain added the Alila portfolio (with a few other brands) into its expanding footprint.

The Ventana offers a luxurious resort experience with spacious guest rooms, delectable food and incredible views nestled in the hills along the Pacific Coast Highway. Plus, the hotel recently shifted to an all-inclusive model — all food and beverages and (most) activities are now included with paid stays and points redemptions. I recently stayed at the hotel in August and will have a review publishing soon.

But the hotel doesn't just have traditional rooms. There's also a separate glamping and camping site on the property. And while you've long been able to earn points when staying at the property's glamping sites, camping sites were excluded until now.

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You can book camping sites through all Hyatt channels. Rates hover around $80 a night before taxes and fees — which is not a bad way to pick up an elite-qualifying night!

Related: 10 surprising ways Hyatt loyalists can earn more points

Unfortunately, you won't be able to redeem points for camping and glamping sites as part of this latest update, but hopefully, that's something Hyatt will consider adding in the future. Also, note that these sites do not include access to resort amenities or the resort's all-inclusive offerings.

Either way, this is great news for World of Hyatt members as travel takes us through all sorts of twists and turns this year. Camping is one of the best socially-distant, outdoor adventures. And now, you'll be able to earn points and elite-qualifying nights when you stay at the Ventana Big Sur campsite.

Goodbye mattress run. Hello, sleeping bag run.

All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy

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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.