World of Hyatt program changes have been coming at us from all sides. I wrote about the major ones last week. Because of how Hyatt is now charging on their Cash+Points rate, going forward the math makes more sense to book rooms using an all points rate. Then it struck me. I better start accruing way more Hyatt points if I won’t be able to stretch points and their value like I used to. So I began looking at my options for increasing my Hyatt points stash. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Which of Hyatt’s New Properties Excite You Most?
Some rumors stay rumors and some materialize. In the case of Hyatt’s acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, I’m thrilled the rumor materialized. Bringing Two Roads Hospitality under the World of Hyatt umbrella adds 23 new markets and potentially 85 properties. Any increase in Hyatt’s footprint is a good thing. More opportunities to both redeem and earn Hyatt points are always welcome.
I wasn’t living under a rock yesterday when this news broke, but I was preoccupied with drinking coffee and talking with baristas in one of my favorite cities thereby creating another Bean Around the World post for TWG readers. I’m late to the announcement party, but in this case better late than never.
Even though the integration of these new properties won’t happen until 2019, I’m looking ahead and was actually surprised when I looked at the list of properties being added to the Hyatt portfolio how many I’ve either stayed at, knew about, or would be interested in visiting. I may even have to get my skis out of storage for some of these fun locations!
It will be interesting to watch this unfold, see which properties do become Hyatt properties, how elite benefits will be honored, and the points award charts for some of these unique properties. For me, one major disappointment in this acquisition is that even though Hyatt’s expansion with Small Luxury Hotels increases its scope in Europe, this acquisition does not. Come on Hyatt, show Europe more love!
Do any of the properties Hyatt’s bringing on board through this acquisition peak your interest? Any you’ve already stayed at you’d recommend?
75K Sign Up Bonus for Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Credit Card (Targeted Offer)
Good afternoon everyone. My friend just forwarded me this targeted offer for the Chase United MileagePlus Explorer Business Credit Card. The standard sign up bonus is 50,000 United Airlines miles after spending $3,000 in 3 months. With this targeted offer, the sign up bonus is 75,000 United Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in 3 months. If you did not receive this email, you can see if you are targeted for the offer by signing into your United MileagePlus account here.
Transfer Times to JetBlue from AMEX Membership Rewards, Citi Thank You Points & Chase Ultimate Rewards
Good morning everyone. A few days ago, Frequent Miler wrote a post that Citi Thank You Points Transfers to JetBlue were getting better (1,000 : 1,000 transfers), so I wanted to check out transfer times from all the major credit card programs. I wrote a similar post about Transfer Times to KLM / Air France and Transfer Times to Singapore Airlines. I tested transfers from American Express Membership Rewards Points, Citi Thank You Points, and Chase Ultimate Rewards Points. I was going to try a transfer from Marriott Rewards to JetBlue, but the conversion was so bad, I couldn’t do it (see the screenshots below). JetBlue TrueBlue Points do not have a fixed value and they can range in value from 1 cent up to 2.5 cents, if you find the right redemption. In some cases, you are better off paying for JetBlue travel than redeeming JetBlue TrueBlue Points.
But with that said, sometimes it makes sense to transfer points into your JetBlue account. I started with a transfer from American Express Membership Rewards Points since you can transfer in 250 point increments. Unfortunately, since JetBlue is an American airline, American Express charges a fee for the transfer, either 30 Membership Rewards Points or 15 cents. The amount of the fee varies depending on the number of points you transfer.
Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and AAdvantage Points Sale–Expiring Starting Tomorrow!
Seems to me hotel and airline loyalty program points fall into a few different categories. Some points you know you’ll put to great use, and some points you’ll likely use and even have a general travel plan for. And some hotel and airline points you scratch your head and wonder how the heck you’ll use them! Whether or not to buy hotel and airline points when promotions are running depends on which of these three categories the loyalty program falls into. When it comes to Hyatt points, Hilton points, and IHG points, I always have a plan for them!
We have a few hotel points sales going on right now with Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG. The sales expire soon, so take a look if you’re planning some hotel stays and can use these points at a discount. We also have an American Airlines AAdvantage sale going on right now, as well. It’s not the best offer ever. But if you’re tapped out of AA miles like I am after using a huge stash of my miles for my trip to Spain, and need some AA miles for trips you’re planning, a discount, even a small one, is better than paying full price when you need to top off your account. Continue reading