Dumping Hyatt Vendome for Hyatt Regency Clearwater

Update: this offer is no longer available. See this page for list of best hotel cards.

If you’ve been reading my site for a long time, you probably have figured out that I am a little OCD, maybe more than a little. Honestly, I think you almost have to be, in order to be part of this crazy hobby. Anyway, I’ve written about my parents’ upcoming trip to US, about reshuffling my plans a gazillion times etc. First, we were going to spend all  7 nights in Florida, then I decided to go to Puerto Rico for 3 of those nights. I finally did get our Wyndham Grand Rio Mar reservation secured through blood, sweat and tears. Who knows, I might  change all the plans again and take my parents  to Maldives instead. Everyone in this hobby seems to fly there at least a few times per year, it must be really close to US. Hmm, where is my map..

So, I wrote how the biggest issue was with my reservation in Radisson Melbourne Oceanfront. I made it while BOGO benefit was still around, and now I face either paying twice the amount of points or coming up with a different plan. And I really don’t like the idea of paying 88,000 points per night for 2 rooms. That just seems crazy. I know I said that Club Carlson points aren’t valuable to me, but I’m a cheapskate, I can’t help it! Shelling out close to 100K in points per night for anything just goes contrary to my nature. Is there a better way?

Hmm, Chase Hyatt Visa. Bingo! The sign-up offer is currently the richest ever. You still get 2 nights at any Hyatt property, but there are other perks as well:

Application link Nope, this is not an affiliate offer. I wish! The card pays me nothing, zero, so there is no incentive to push it. But I do happen to think that this offer is “awesome sauce.” Should you get it? It really depends on your upcoming vacation plans. I applied and was approved. I have no regrets, but it did cost me a stay at Hyatt Vendome. Let me explain.

Few months ago, I’ve said that we plan to go to Paris in 2 years. I’m fairly certain on this one, well, as long as finances and health cooperate. I was thinking about saving my Hyatt Visa app for this property. You can only get the bonus 24 months after previously receiving it. So, obviously, au revoir, Hyatt Vendome! Forever.

And you know what, it doesn’t bother me one bit. Here is why:

1. I would like to stay at least three nights in Paris, maybe four. Since the room at Hyatt will only fit three, I would have to get two rooms. So, even if both my husband and I  got this card, we would only get a two-night stay out of combined bonuses. Seems like a lot of trouble to me: Getting 2 credit cards for only 2 nights, no matter how nice the property is.

Of course, I could just transfer my 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points and redeem them for that extra night at Vendome (30,000 points per room). Let me think about it… Are the toilets made of pure gold  and do little fairies make your bed in the morning? No? Then I guess I  won’t be burning my valuable UR stash on this fine establishment.

Speaking of toilets, Ramsey, are you still there? New readers, don’t worry about it.

1.  I want to stay closer to Eiffel tower, hopefully, in a residential neighborhood. It’s a matter of personal preference. I really would like to rent an apartment, something like the place I’ve written about in this post. I prefer that my family stays together even at the risk of killing each other.

2. The biggest reason is that I want to stay with my parents  in Clearwater Hyatt Regency resort. I wrote about the area before and admitted that it’s not my cup of tea. That said, I know my mom will go bananas for it, in a good way. She loves huge resorts with a ton of tourists in them and enjoys watching people. When it comes to vacations with my parents, we prefer to have separate rooms. Don’t judge me!

Of course, in order to get a 2-night stay, we need 2 cards.  I’m hoping later this year, my husband will get approved for Chase Hyatt Visa as well. Sure, the sign-up bonus may not be as good, but I really want to have at least 6 months between his Chase applications. You see, he got CSP card in March, so I would like some time to go by. Chase is becoming very picky, so I don’t want to take any chances. There is no way my husband would agree to call reconsideration line, no bribe in the world would help.

1. I like the idea that the bonus comes with extra 5,000 points. It may not seem like much, but is enough for Hyatt Place Orlando airport. And guess what? We will need 1-night stay in that area after my parents’ flight. So, in reality, this bonus is good for three nights+$50. Sounds good to me!

I will probably hang on to this card, since it gives one night at category 1-4 property after paying $75 fee. I consider it a good deal since there are a few hotels in Florida I’m interested in. Here they are:

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa 
Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Hyatt Place Daytona Beach – Oceanfront 
Hyatt Place Delray Beach 
Hyatt Regency Sarasota

Of course, you situation may be different as Hyatt footprint is quite limited.

Consider this card for less desirable redemptions

Common wisdom of this hobby  says that you should only get this bonus for Hyatt’s fanciest properties. You know, the usual suspects: Hyatt Vendome, Hyatt Tokyo, Hyatt Madlives and Hyatt Sydney. If you are heading there, great! Be aware, all of those places have double or triple occupancy limit for their standard rooms. And those are the only kind bookable via certificates. There was some confusion as to whether all-inclusive resorts allow two or four people. It appears that reps would give out conflicting information. Well, if you look in their “T and C,” it states clarly that it’s for single or double occupancy only:

So, unfortunately, it looks like you can’t bring kids unless you get two rooms. Actually, this might be something to consider. It will afford you more privacy and rest. Of course, you probably won’t be flying to Jamaica for only two nights. In that case, consider staying at Holiday Inn Sunspree all-inclusive resort for 35,000 points per night. As long as the kids are 12 and under, they stay free in parents’ room. Read my post on review of this property. I would stay here before the Hyatt, you’ll see why after reading my trip report.

There are many nice properties in US that are far more accessible than Maldives, Australia etc. If you want to get the best bang for your buck, consider these two category 7 properties:

Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa

Park Hyatt New York

 But many lower category properties represent great value as well. Here are hotels in US and Caribbean that are category 6:

As you can see, there are many fantastic choices. In fact, Hyatt Clearwater is a category 5 (costs 20,000 points per night), but I happen to think that it’s a great place to use these certificates. Mostly, it has to do with the season. We plan to stay there in March, their busiest time of the year, when the rates hover around $400. Hotel points and certificates are best leveraged during high season and special events. In the summer, you can get this place for around $250, which is still pretty expensive in my book. If my March redemption falls through, I will probably use them during July 4th holiday weekend. Always have a Plan B when it comes to hotel certificates.

Well, this is why I’ve decided to dump Hyatt Vendome. Will you?

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