13

Mar

Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a huge fan of the Hyatt Gold Passport program. Over the last year they’ve really stepped it up a notch.

First, they matched Starwood (and Hilton) on award redemption by making all standard rooms redeemable with points.

Then, they punched up their elite benefits, as the first to offer free internet to all elites and by offering not just catch as catch can suite upgrades based on availability at checkin but four confirmed at booking suite upgrades a year for diamonds. That way Hyatt’s top tier elites can choose to have suites when it matters most to them, not when they show up and get lucky. (One of the most frequent complaints from hotel loyalty program elites is getting the big room on their own business stays but having a hard time getting upgrades on vacation with their spouse.)

Currently Hyatt has the best top tier elite level of any major program. Intercontinental Royal Ambassador is also pretty great, but there are only so many Intercontinental properties.

But even Hyatt is limited in scope compared to Marriot, Hilton, and even Starwood. So anything that brings more properties into the fold is welcome, for both earning and burning points and to make it easier to requalify for status. About five years ago Hyatt acquired the Amerisuites chain and branded them Hyatt Place, and have been building a limited-service line to compete with Hilton Garden Inn and Marriott Courtyard. Personally I love expansion at the top end the most, but more options are always a boon.

Hyatt is promoting their Hyatt Place brand as a great work-life balance product, and giving away free stays and personal assistant services from TaskUs.com.

And they contacted me to offer to let me give away a two night Hyatt Place stay and two months of personal assistant services to two lucky readers. (They’re also going to give me a couple of Hyatt Place nights as well.)

Shortly I will open a contest entry thread. Good luck!

21 Comments

  1. Jeffrey Ward said,

    What a great combo! Can’t wait for the contest

  2. Iceman said,

    Can’t wait to enter!

  3. Sandy said,

    Very cool & thanks for the Hyatt info

  4. Foster said,

    Awesome!

  5. iris said,

    thanks …looking forward to it. love your blog!

  6. Grativis said,

    Looks great!

  7. astroGG said,

    That’s cool!

  8. Chris said,

    Thanks for all you do!

  9. Evan said,

    Starwood has let us down, so Hyatt might try to pick up the slack.

  10. Carol said,

    Darn, I thought for a moment I could win two months of your personal booking help. That would be significant!

  11. Kalboz said,

    I’m in!

  12. Julie said,

    Looking forward to this, Gary! Thanks in advance to you and Hyatt!

    That’s funny, Carol – I thought the same thing for a sec! (“What a prize! – personal assistant services from Gary Leff! Awesome!”)

  13. Shawn said,

    Is this open to US residents only?

  14. Lyndon said,

    We’re in England. Are we qualified to join?

  15. Nia said,

    This is so cool! Life made easier and happier! =)

  16. Christopher Jiles said,

    Cool! Thanks for the info. Tweeting it now!

  17. Jason said,

    Pick me please! I’ve been looking into Virtual Assistant services, is TaskUs supposed to be good? Anyone tried?

  18. Zhichao Zhu said,

    thanks …looking forward to it. love your blog!

  19. Strawb said,

    I just ate 2 mini pork pies. I don’t feel so well now. :-(

  20. MJA said,

    I look forward to the trip, thanks.

  21. willy said,

    This is a good way for looker to comment on blogs

    22. Add A Comment

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