My husband and I just paid the $95 annual fee on our Chase World of Hyatt credit cards last month. This entitles us to a free night certificate for a stay at a Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel. We actually have two free nights, since we each have the card.
In the past, we’ve used our free night certificates to stay at some outstanding properties, including Hyatt Centric Murano Venice, Hyatt Regency Miami, and The Confidante Miami Beach (no longer eligible). We’ve also used the certs are more practical locations, including Hyatt House Miami Airport and Hyatt Regency MCO (no longer eligible).
Upcoming Travel Plans
For these free night certificates, I’m having a bit of trouble deciding where to use them to get the most bang for my buck. Next month, my daughter and I are traveling to Guatemala. However, there are no Hyatt hotels in the towns we are visiting.
For Spring Break, my family is flying to St. Maarten. We will have an overnight stay at CLT airport. However, there are several nearby hotels that only cost 5000 World of Hyatt points. So, I’d rather spend points.
Next summer, my daughter and I are going to Asia. Our stops include:
- Singapore (no Category 1-4 Hyatt properties)
- Bangkok (has several eligible Hyatt properties, but they all have a fairly low cash price)
- Chiang Mai (only has Mr. and Mrs. Smith properties that do not accept free night certs)
- Ho Chi Minh City (no eligible properties)
The Practical Choice
While I wish I was using these free nights to stay at some aspirational property and getting a great value, this year will be a more practical choice again. My daughter and I will be booking positioning flights from DFW to San Francisco before and after our trip to Asia. We will likely use our free night certificates to stay at Hyatt Regency SFO for both directions of our trip.
I’ve stayed there twice before (see my original review here). It’s very convenient to the airport. Current rates for our dates are between $250-$300, so it’s still a decent deal for our $95 credit card annual fees.
Where are you using your next Hyatt free night certificates?
Using at the Hyatt lax next year.
@Nat Nice! I stayed there earlier this year when positioning for flight to Japan.
The Confidante and MCO were some great redemptions :(. Since I’m not traveling much due to husband health issues used them in Chicago and suburbs for local stays and near the hospital. But I’ve been eyeing Fort Lauderdale hopefully soon!
@Boonie Sorry to hear about your husband’s health issues! I hope you can make it to Fort Lauderdale soon.
I wish you could add points to these certs like with Bonvoy to get into better hotels. I am using my free night at the Boston Logan Hyatt for an airport over night.
@Sam Yes! Even IHG lets us use points to top off a free night cert. I wish Hyatt would get on board with that. Glad you found a good use for yours.
I was using at HR Etoile in Paris but now they seem to go for HR Mission Bay/San Diego.
@GW Ah San Diego! I haven’t been there in ages. Enjoy your stay!