Tag Archives: Hyatt Hotels

a close up of stamps

Have You Read My Top Blog Posts from 2018?

Good morning everyone, happy New Year’s Eve!  What a crazy year it has been.  Based on Google Analytics numbers, here are the top 10 blog posts written in 2018 and the top 10 blog posts of the year (written before 2018).  If you have a favorite post of the year that is not listed, please let me know in the comments.  Without further ado, here is the first top 10 list:

a purple text with white background

1: PSA: Do NOT Use Zelle or Venmo to Pay People on Craigslist, eBay or Strangers Online

I’m surprised my Zelle / Venmo PSA post was so popular, but I’m glad that the word got out. It’s important to know what kind of scams exist and how to avoid them. Learn from these mistakes to keep your money safe.

Continue reading

a hammock on a beach

Maybe You Can’t Avoid Resort Fees, But You Can Pay Less For Your Hotel Room

Resort fees, destination fees; call them what you want, they all stink. Hotels have a menu (except we don’t get to pick and choose) of junk fees that are attached to our bills for all kinds of “services and amenities” that used to be complimentary or something we could choose to pay extra for. I don’t think any of us really believe hotel claims about why they’re now adding on these fees. From what I’ve read, it seems like these fees enable hotels to still claim their rates are lower and also pay less to travel agents since commissions are paid based on the base rate, not the total rate.

Continue reading

a woman with blonde hair and a green shirt

Keep, Cancel or Convert? Chase IHG Rewards Select ($49 Annual Fee) & Hyatt Credit Cards ($75 Annual Fee)

Good morning everyone.  Earlier this month, my annual fees posted on my Chase IHG Rewards Select Credit Card ($49 annual fee) and Chase Hyatt Credit Card ($75 annual fee).  The main reason I hold onto these credit cards is for the annual free night certificate.  As a reminder, the free night certificates are not really free, since you pay the annual fee before getting the free night certificate – they are more like prepaid free night certificates with a strict expiration date.  Unfortunately, both of these credit cards are no longer available to new applicants, so if you do not have these credit cards right now, there is no way for you to get them now.  Both cards have been replaced by the new Chase IHG Rewards Premier Credit Card and the new Chase World of Hyatt Credit Card.  Anytime one of my credit cards charges me an annual fee, I take a moment to evaluate the credit card and decide if it is still worth keeping.  Here are my thoughts on both of these credit cards.

a close-up of a credit card

Continue reading

a blue sign with white text

Is Amex’s Platinum Business Card Worth $12 Extra A Month?

No denying this has been a big year for change in the credit card landscape. Hyatt changed its policy on how cash and points nights are determined, the Citi Prestige 4th night free benefit is fading into the sunset, and Amex updated the Gold card benefits. Just when you’re catching your breath, ouch, American Express strikes yet again with an annual fee increase on the Business Platinum credit card.

Continue reading

a logo of a hotel

Hotel Buy Points Promos Ending Soon: Choice, Hyatt, Radisson, IHG, La Quinta & Hilton

Good morning everyone.  Since Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, several hotels are running buy points promos now.  I wrote about 7 airline buy miles / points promos yesterday and I have all the latest offers on my Buy Miles & Points Page.  Always check the math to make sure that buying points makes sense for you.  Do not buy points speculatively unless you have a use in mind.  With that said, here are the 6 promos that are ending soon. First up, Choice Hotels is offering a 25% discount when you purchase Choice Privileges points.  This offer expires on November 26.

a screenshot of a website

Continue reading