A couple of weeks ago I stood outside on room balconies at the Hyatt Century Plaza, InterContinental Los Angeles and Beverly Hilton. Then I found myself at the Andaz West Hollywood, the hotel probably most famous for its Hyatt Riot House balconies, and I learn that the Andaz West Hollywood rooms over Sunset Boulevard are a little bit larger than the rooms on the hillside view of the hotel since the remodeled hotel enclosed the former balconies for its opening in 2009. Read More…

U.S. Travel Association Daily Getaways sponsored by American Express offers Hyatt Gold Passport points at 12:00 noon eastern time (pre-sale) and 1:00 pm regular sale.

There are severely limited quantities of Hyatt points in three of the four sales for various amounts of points from 24,000 to 69,000 point sets. You can buy a maximum of one set of points from each sale for a total four sets of points for a potential 159,000 Hyatt Gold passport points. Read More…

Los Angeles revealed another facet of her urban jewels yesterday as I solo toured Century City, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. I was in eight hotels and I have to say that I recommend any of them for a nice stay in L.A. Read More…

Visa Signature card holders in the U.S. can register their U.S.-issued Visa Signature card number by May 11, 2012 for 90 days of instant Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum elite status. This status level has benefits of free internet, 15% bonus points, possibility of room upgrades and 2pm late check-out. Platinum members also receive a Platinum Extras certificate every 3rd stay for benefits like bonus points, dining discounts and room upgrades.  Read More…

Hyatt Gold Passport announced a new feature for 2012 allowing members to earn points when dining or paying for spa services even when not staying as a registered guest of the Hyatt hotel.

There are few participating hotels at the present time. The program has been rolling out the past few months and is supposed to continue adding properties through August 2012 according to the initial announcement by Jeff Zidell, Hyatt VP Read More…

Hyatt Hotels is rebranding Avia Napa and Avia Savannah to its luxury Andaz boutique brand in summer 2012. These two hotels, Andaz Napa and Andaz Savannah will bring the Andaz portfolio to eight hotels. Andaz Amsterdam will be the 9th Andaz and is also scheduled to open in summer 2012 on the Prinsengracht, the same city center canal as Starwood’s The Pulitzer Hotel.

Avia Napa and Avia Savannah were acquired in July 2011 along with Avia Long Beach, Avia The Woodlands Texas and 16 Hotel Sierra extended stay properties. In September 2011 these properties became part of Hyatt Gold Passport with the Avia upper upscale properties retaining their name. Hotel Sierra properties along with all Hyatt Summerfield Suites were rebranded as HYATT house in 2012.

Andaz Napa will have 141 rooms. This hotel is fairly new (2009) and located in downtown Napa. I visited the Avia Hotel in February 2011 and I found it to be the most interesting hotel in town if you wanted to be some place that had a happening vibe.

Napa, California

Napa, California as a town is a reflection of the mixed economy of northern California. The Napa Valley wine region is primarily north of the city of Napa. The city itself has some beautiful late 19th/early 20th century architecture with Victorian houses, lots of older trees and a small, older central business district that kind of reminds me of a Bruce Springsteen song the times I have walked the streets the past few years.

“Now Main Street’s whitewashed windows and vacant stores
Seems like there ain’t nobody wants to come down here no more”

     – My Hometown, Bruce Springsteen

Downtown Napa has had many businesses go under in the past few years and the tough economy of the old town center has been apparent during my visits since 2009. Yet, there is also a vibrant restaurant and bar scene with new places and new buildings. The supposedly improving economy may just fill many of the older vacant store fronts and new construction complexes along the Napa River with new businesses.

Avia Napa was a real bright spot as a new hotel on First Street opened in July 2009.

Hyatt’s Avia Napa hotel will undergo some refurbishment with the primary change looking to be the lobby conversion into a lounge area. The bar seemed to be the focal point of the lobby when I was there last year with a lot of open space and not much seating.

I like the location of Hyatt’s Andaz Napa better than the Westin Verasa Napa which is on the other side of the river and not really near much of anything except the Napa Wine Train station. There are several restaurants and bars in the downtown area.

Avia Napa was the hotel I considered the best value in town when I was in Napa about a year ago. As Andaz Napa I expect the rates might climb quite a bit higher. Time will tell and the rebranding to Andaz Napa will happen during the peak season dates from July to October 2012.

Rates for Avia Napa this next week are under $200 per night. Last year I think they were around $150 per night this time of year on weekdays when the hotel was not yet a Hyatt. Napa hotels always have higher rates on weekends when tourism substantially picks up.

About Andaz Hotels

Andaz Hotels are currently in London, New York (2), West Hollywood, San Diego and Shanghai. Other Andaz properties in development are locations in the resort area of Papagayo, Costa Rica; Providenciales, Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean; Delhi, India; Sanya Sunny Bay, China (a rapidly developing beach resort area with all major luxury brands claiming a bit of beach); and Maui, Hawaii.

Hotel News Now published an article on the Andaz brand this past week that is an interesting read.

Hyatt Hotels press release on Avia to Andaz rebranding (March 8, 2012).

Hyatt Hotels launched a new rate offer this week called Free Time that gives a free night rebate at checkout. This rate is available for booking from March 20 through November 30, 2012 for stays through December 30, 2012.

Most participating hotels offer the third night free and the rate includes full breakfast for two and some hotels offer 2pm late checkout.

This offer is only for participating hotels in the US, Canada and Caribbean. Hyatt House and Hyatt Place are not participating brands.

The rate code is FRTIME. There is a website Hyatt.com/freetime that should describe the promotion offer and participating hotels, however, the link is not active at the time of writing. Read More…

Hyatt Gold Passport promotion registration is open for the 16 nights earn 44,000 points promotion running February 1 to April 30, 2012.

Registration is required by March 31.

Hyatt nights completed during the promotion period and prior to registration count as long as member registers by March 31.

Don’t delay. Sign up now!

Read More…

Hyatt Gold Passport offers 10% to 30% bonus points on points purchases from January 18 through March 15, 2012. The normal purchase rate of $24 per 1,000 points is charged, but the bonus points reduce the net cost. There is a calendar year limit of 40,000 points as the maximum purchase, yet this offer allows members to buy as many as 52,000 points for 2012.

• 1,000 – 9,000 points = 10% bonus points; reducing rate from $24/1,000 points to $21.82 per 1,000 points.
• 10,000 to 29,000 points = 20% bonus points; reducing rate to $20 per 1,000 points.
• 30,000 to 40,000 points = 30% bonus points; reducing rate to $18.46 per 1,000 points.
• Points must be purchased in increments of 1,000 points.
• Maximum annual purchase for Hyatt Gold Passport points is normally 40,000 points and this sale offer allows members to buy up to 52,000 points in 2012.

This is a good opportunity to load up on Hyatt Gold Passport points if you have specific plans for using the points in 2012. I could show you loads of hotels where this is a great deal compared to the published rate, but suffice to say this can be a route to discounted hotel rooms. DealsWeLike blog showed a couple of examples where buying points saves major cash outlay at a couple of resort hotels.

Assume you purchase 52,000 points for $960. Here is the table to showing room rate to reward rate equivalent after buying points at $18.46 per 1,000 points.

Hyatt Gold Passport Reward Nights  (Hyatt link to free night rewards)

• Category 1 hotels at 5,000 points = $92.30
• Category 2 hotels at 8,000 points = $147.68
• Category 3 hotels at 12,000 points = $221.52
• Category 4 hotels at 15,000 points = $276.90
• Category 5 hotels at 18,000 points = $332.28
• Category 6 hotels at 22,000 points = $406.12

This table shows the cost or reward nights at each hotel reward level when buying points with the 30% bonus. If the published rate after tax is more than the rate shown here, then the points option is cheaper. Keep in mind though that a Hyatt reward stay does not earn points or elite credit and for Diamond members, confirmed suite upgrades are not applicable to reward stays.

Buy and Transfer Points for Bigger Hotel Rewards is the column I wrote for InsideFlyer January 2012 issue showing the rules for buying and transferring points across the major hotel loyalty programs. The piece shares some strategies and opportunities available to members who may want to buy points for a hotel reward as a cheaper alternative to the published room rates.

One of the features of Hyatt Gold Passport is the free transfer of points between any two members to reach the level needed for a reward stay redemption. This gives a couple the opportunity to purchase and combine 104,000 points with this current Hyatt Gold Passport promotion.

You may only have as few as 6,000 points in your account today and tomorrow you could have 110,000 points after combining points with another member (spouse, parent, traveling companion). Five nights at a Category 6 Hyatt Hotel for $1,920 in points purchases can potentially be a huge discount at some Hyatt Resorts and aspirational properties.

Loyalty Traveler is taking part in Passports with Purpose fundraiser from November 30 – December 16, 2011 in an effort to raise $80,000 and build two libraries in Zambia. Hyatt Gold Passport has donated a high value prize of 110,000 points for this fundraiser. You can buy tickets for $10 each and enter your ticket for the prize of your choice. Passports with Purpose is handling the raffle with this Hyatt Gold Passport 110,000 points prize and about a hundred other travel and travel related prizes.

Passports With Purpose 2011 – Libraries for Zambia

What –

Loyalty Traveler blog announces Passports with Purpose raffle prize of 110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points, generously donated by Hyatt Hotels for this raffle fundraiser to build two libraries in Zambia with the organization Room to Read.

Purchase of $10 raffle tickets are your entry for the Hyatt Gold Passport 110,000 points prize or other prizes hosted by different travel blogs for this Passports with Purpose fundraiser.

When –

From November 30 through December 16, 2011 11:59pm PST each $10 ticket purchased at Passports with Purpose is valid for one entry to win the prize you select. Hyatt Gold Passport donated 110,000 points for Loyalty Traveler to host as a Passports with Purpose prize. Those can be some cheaply purchased Hyatt Gold Passport points if you win the raffle prize.

There are about 100 other prizes being hosted by different travel bloggers.

Winner of Hyatt Gold Passport points must be a member of Hyatt Gold Passport to receive prize. You can join Hyatt Gold passport at www.hyatt.com for free if you win and collect your prize.

Where –

Raffle ticket purchase website: http://www.passportswithpurpose.org/donate/

Why –

Passports with Purpose has a 2011 goal to raise $80,000 for building two libraries with books and literacy materials in Zambia.

Who –

About Passports with Purpose.

Passports with Purpose (PwP) is a fundraiser organized by a small group of energetic travel bloggers in Seattle. This annual raffle since 2008 for travel gear and travel getaway prizes procured by travel bloggers raises money for
an international humanitarian project. This year the PwP project is supporting the international organization Room to Read to establish two libraries in Zambia.

Pam Mandel – Nerd’s Eye View, Beth Whitman – Wanderlust and Lipstick, Debbie Dubrow – DeliciousBaby.com and Michelle Duffy – Wandermom.com coordinate travel bloggers and businesses through the travel community for a purpose to help save the world one location at a time.

Two years ago I participated in Passports with Purpose and hosted a Hyatt Gold Passport prize of 50,000 points. The goal in 2009 was $30,000 to build a school in Cambodia. Passports with Purpose must be a successful fundraiser. The goal this year is $80,000 for two libraries in Zambia.

Nice thing Hyatt Gold Passport more than doubled their points donation in 2011 since the Passports with Purpose fundraising goal also more than doubled since 2009. I have a feeling this 2011 Hyatt Gold Passport prize will get plenty of ticket entries.

Pam has a way with words and provides Room to Read links and some of her personal reading preferences in her October 19 post – Passports with Purpose 2011: It’s About Reading!

After reading Pam’s piece I decided to withhold my story for this post about reading Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings when I was 15 during an overcast summer beach camping holiday near Barcelona, Spain.

Over the next two weeks on Loyalty Traveler I’ll remind readers about $10 raffle prize tickets for the Passports with Purpose fundraiser and share some of my stories on libraries, books and my days working as an elementary school reading teacher.

Loyalty Traveler Hyatt Prize Analysis

110,000 Hyatt Gold Passport points is enough points for

• 5 hotel nights are 110,000 points at the best of the best Hyatt Hotels worldwide for 22,000 points per night. Hotels like Andaz 5th Avenue, Hyatt Regency Maui Resort, Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.
• 6 nights are 108,000 points at category 5 hotels for 18,000 points per night. Hotels like Park Hyatt Toronto, Hyatt Regency Waikiki Resort, Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, Florida.
• 7 nights are 105,000 points at category 4 hotels for 15,000 points per night. Hotels like AVIA Savannah Georgia, Hyatt Regency San Francisco, Hyatt at Olive 8 Seattle.
• 9 nights are 108,000 at category 3 hotels for 12,000 points per night. Hotels like Hyatt Regency Denver, Grand Hyatt Altlanta.
• 13 nights are 104,000 at category 2 hotels for 8,000 points per night. Hotels like Grand Hyatt Santiago, Chile; Park Hyatt Mendoza, Argentina; Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hyatt Regency Lexington, Kentucky.
• 22 nights are 110,000 points at category 1 hotels for 5,000 points per night. Hotels like Hyatt Place Raleigh-Durham Airport North Carolina; Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Nepal; Bali Hyatt Indonesia.

This prize will buy from 5 to 22 free hotel nights globally with Hyatt Hotels in the brands of Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Summerfield Suites, Hyatt Place and Andaz.

Enter raffle at Passports with Purpose.

Our kitten Theron sleeping in the "For the Love of Reading" book bag.

Hyatt is giving away 100,000 points to ten Gold Passport members who “Like” Hyatt Facebook pages. There are nine Hyatt Facebook pages and you may enter the sweepstakes one time on each page.

Nine Hyatt Facebook pages:

1. Hyatt (www.facebook.com/Hyatt),
2. Hyatt Hotels (www.facebook.com/hyatthotels),
3. Park Hyatt (www.facebook.com/ParkHyatt),
4. Andaz (www.facebook.com/andaz),
5. Grand Hyatt (www.facebook.com/grandhyatt),
6. Hyatt Regency (www.facebook.com/HyattRegency),
7. Hyatt Place (www.facebook.com/HyattPlace),
8. Hyatt Summerfield Suites (www.facebook.com/HyattSummerfieldSuites),
9. Hyatt Vacation Club (www.facebook.com/hyattvacationclub)

This sweepstakes started yesterday, 2pm CT, October 27 and runs through 5:00pm CT, December 9, 2011.

• open only to legal residents of any one (1) of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia, Aruba, Canada (excluding Quebec), Curacao, or Puerto Rico.
• Limit one (1) entry per person/e-mail address per Sponsor Facebook page listed above, for a total of nine (9) possible entries in the Sweepstakes.
• Hyatt Million Points Sweepstakes Terms & Conditions

Hyatt Facebook Pages for 9 Sweepstakes Entries

Loyalty Traveler Hat Tip to Vinay.