I’m Giving Away (2) Prizes of 2 Free Hyatt Nights Each

by Gary Leff

Hyatt has been on a tear for the last year, figuring out how to add more value for members, especially elite members and frequent guests. Honestly, I haven’t seen anything like it in years.

Last year they pioneered free internet for elites, at the same time they (1) lifted capacity controls on award nights — if there’s a standard room available, it’s available on points, matching Starwood’s redemption proposition and (2) offered confirmed at booking suite upgrades for their Diamond members four times a year.

I wish there were more Hyatt properties, because over the last 12 months they’ve clearly been offering the best value proposition of any hotel chain.

They also continue to bring back the richest bonus promotion in the hotel industry. I will always call it “Faster Free Nights” but thehy call it The Big Welcome Back: a free night anywhere in the world for every two Hyatt stays made by June 30, with free nights valid for use by August 31.

Starwood and Hilton have their own free night promos, Hilton takes 4 stays or 10 nights for a freebie though they offer a longer redemption period, and Starwood takes 3 stays rather than two and only lets you use the award nights on the weekend.  I do consider Hyatt’s to be the benchmark bonus in the industry.

For about 12 months I’ve been saying that it’s time to tkae a hard look at Hyatt to see if you can make it work for your stay pattern. And they’re making it especially easy to do that, since for all of 2010 they’re offering instant platinum status and fast track to Diamond status — just 15 nights in 2010 for Diamond status through February 2012.

So I was thrilled when Hyatt offered to let me give away two sets of Hyatt Place free night packages. They offered me a package as well for myself but instead of keeping it I decided to give it away on Twitter instead. (I admit, I’m more of a luxury hotels guy than a Hyatt Place, though I don’t mind accruing Big Welcome Back nights with mattress runs at Hyatt Place properties or Summerfield Suites and redeeming them at Park Hyatts…)

And now it gets even better: my contact has now offered me two sets of two free Big Welcome Back nights to give away! So here it is.

Two chances to win:

    1. Leave a comment in this thread, ne comment entry per person. Preferably your comment would speculate on which Hyatt you’d like to redeem your nights at if you win.

    2. You can also follow me on Twitter.

I will draw two winners at random from the pool made up of Twitter followers and people who leave a comment on this post. You can enter via either method or both.

The free nights, being Big Welcome Back nights, expire August 31.

Comment here, follow me, or both by noon Eastern time on Sunday, April 25 for a chance to win!

By way of full disclosure, like with the Hyatt Place night giveaway, they’ve offered me a couple of nights for myself. Guess what? Those I’m not offering up, I plan to use them though I will probably need to top off with a few more to make a really nice redemption trip.

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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  3. Wow, I would *love* to win this. We are already Hyatt members and planning trips to Hawaii and New York this summer. We’d love to be able to invite extra family members to join us with these free nights!

  7. Just got back from a stay at the Grand Hyatt NYC, would love to go back! Not looking for the biggest bang for the buck…just a nice weekend getaway!

  15. Who knows where, but you can count on it being the highest redemption value I can find!

  17. I already have one free night at Hyatt & plan
    to use it in Savannah, GA. Would love to add
    a second night to that!! Thanks for all your
    contests!!

  18. Definitely would love to spend two nights at the lovely Kauai property…I’ve talked to employees who say this is quite nice.

  23. Thanks for this Gary!

    Their hotel locations page isn’t working for me right now, but assuming they have a hotel in Copenhagen I would probably use it there this Summer.

  29. Taking the kids to Orlando and need one more hotel night so the Hyatt Grand Cypress it is:-)

  33. I’ve also been impressed with Hyatt…I stayed in one in Seattle for the first time in years not too long ago, and I think the most impressive was the service.

    I’d love to stay there again for my next trip!

  34. I’d probably use it to go back to the Andaz San Diego though I’d like to try the Park Hyatt Paris.

  37. Ideally, I like to go to PH Fremont, CA near San Francisco, but realistically it would probably be downstate at PH Detroit/Livonia. Thanks!

  43. Already mattress running my way to a free(ish) trip to the PH Tokyo, and this would certainly help!

  44. I would love to redeem at one the fab properties you have highlighted in the past, in asia.

  54. mmmm…Sushi in Tokyo and a stroll around one of the worlds great cities…yes please!

  57. I stayed at the Park Hyatt Zurich last month and am hooked! I’m thinking of using it at another Park Hyatt, maybe Chicago or Buenos Aires. Thanks for the opportunity!

  59. Would definitely use at the park hyatt in buenos aires–one of my favorite hotels in the world!

  62. I would welcome the opportunity to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Seattle, The HR in Chicago or the HR Mission Bay in San Diego. Cannot go wrong with Hyatt!

  64. I would likely redeem my free nights at the Grand Hyatt in Bali. Man — anything to go back to Bali!

  65. I would redeem it at Park Hyatt Tokyo because it would be awesome to relive Lost in Translation! 🙂

  69. I’d use a night at the Park Hyatt Saigon for the fist night of a 10-year anniversary trip.

  79. I was planning on visiting Andaz San Diego. It would be great to use the free night cert!!!!

  86. Great offer and great blog!

    I would love to redeem the nights in New York (never been).

  104. Oh, yes, I could definitely use this – for the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont IL! Not nearly as glamorous as some of the respondents, but heck, I’ll save money on the trips I *have* to go on, as well as the ones I *want* to do!

  105. I have an upcoming trip to London, England where I am staying at the Hyatt Hotel there. I would use this at the Hyatt Place Dulles Airport to stay overnight before my flight, as I am taking the morning flight on United from the US. The hotel has a great deal, where you can leave your car while you are traveling. Thank you.

  109. Awesome giveaway! I’m hoping to use some free nights in Chicago in August for Lollapalooza!

  113. Appreciated the tip re Hyatt Platinum status 180-day trial, for which I called in and got immediately. Saw it while connecting in the Atlanta airport, and seredipitously, am on the way to a Hyatt tonight. And another tomorrow night. Many thanks! I’d go with the Grand Hyatt in NYC.

  114. I like to join my friend at Highland Inns, and stay at 501 or 502 please. and have lovely dinner there too

  118. I’d go to the Hyatt Embarcadero San Francisco or maybe a Hyatt in NYC if I can make the time to travel there.

  125. I’d love a chance to win the Hyatt Place offer. Unfortunately I’d probably have to use it for something utilitarian, like in Herndon, Virginia.

  133. I would love to stay at the Hyatt in Aruba. years ago, I made the mistake of booking an American Airlines package to Aruba, which had my wife and I staying at the Holiday Inn (right next to the Hyatt). I received evil looks from my Mrs., as each day she stared at that beautiful hotel. maybe I should have upped our 5 year anniversary to the next door Hyatt property ? Maybe, next time…… 🙂

  136. I’ve been trying to figure out where to take my kids for a weekend trip in Mid June… They are turning 16 and 18 and one is graduating.
    I’d likely use them at one of these:

    Grand Hyatt New York
    Park Hyatt Chicago

    or maybe Grand Hyatt Kauai

  143. If was selected I would use the Big Welcome Back Night at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo. Thank you for your consideration/

  148. If I can’t stray far from home, I’d likely opt for the Andaz San Diego. If I can, I’d choose the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

  150. Is it any Hyatt or just Hyatt Place? I would use it for my wedding night at the Hyatt Place Silicon Valley or one of the several Hyatt in San Francisco if they were eligible.

  151. Huntington Beach, mahn, like when the wedge in NB is pumpin, maybe I’ll get to dislocate my shoulder again!

  153. If the question is where I’d use the Hyatt Place free night, the answer is one of the Hyatt Places in my former hometown of Richmond, Va. If the question is where I’d use the Big Welcome Back free nights, I’d stay at the Hyatt Regency Boston since it’s so close to the Boston Common and I haven’t had a chance to hang in Boston for a long time.

  156. If there’s a Hyatt in Barcelona and I can use it in September, I’m golden. 🙂 Otherwise it’ll be used in the expensive city of Vancouver this coming June!

  157. I’d have a hard time choosing between the Hyatt in Carmel and one of the properties in NYC…

  158. What a fun contest!

    I would use it in Paris this June. We have to fly out there for a wedding in Lyon. My wife would love it!

    Good luck, all!

  161. What a great offer! I’d use a Hyatt Place near Washington DC, or the free night at Grand Cypress in Orlando

  162. Wow, very generous of Hyatt. Best hotel program for me. Website is sometimes terrible, but customer service is wonderful. Hotels are usually nice, and I hope to use 2 nights at Park Hyatt Tokyo.

  163. I am planning a special college graduation trip for my little brother. We are country hopping through Asia. I would use these Hyatt nights in Dehli at the Hyatt Regency Dehli. I’ll keep my fingers crossed!

  164. Chicago, IL for my wife and kids. I would use the nights to thank my family for being supportive of me after I lost my health care management job. Chicago is a relatively short drive so it would be a great break.

  166. Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek. This place was the “bomb.” My family spent 4 nights using the next big 3. Diamonds get the resort charged waved.

  170. Zurich – already going to be redeeming my own FFN credits, but I wouldn’t mind extending my stay! 😉

    Thanks for doing this.

  174. I’d love to redeem them at any of the Hyatt properties in Australia since I’ll be there in May and June.

  179. Will look for a Hyatt in Anaheim – work just dropped a new (Friday night) meeting on us.

  180. I have loved all Hyatts since I first stayed at one in 1977! (Thank you Gary for another great contest!)

  181. I just started my fast track to Diamond and have already earned a free night at PH Tokyo! I would appreciate to get another free night, since I also have travel plans in Europe this summer, probably in Paris. I would love to stay in PH Paris if possible… Thanks again, Gary!

  194. The Grand Hyatt in Kauai is undoubtedly their best property! Spent last winter there for one night with my wife and it was heavenly. Amazing staff, perfect grounds, breathtaking pool and sweeping views!

  196. Wow, great offer. If they can be split one in Baltimore and one in NYC, if not and the wife allows, Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Los Angeles.

  197. I think I’d fly cross-country and use it for a lovely stay at the Hyatt Highlands Inn in Carmel!

  199. A little pop across the Channel to the Paris Vendome would be just the trip!

  204. I’ll take the Hyatt in Cambridge, MD – waterfront on the bay and within a 2 hour drive.

  208. I would go for the Hyatt Regency Cancun near where a friend is having their wedding, maybe even buy them a better gift with the $ saved.

  209. Just learned I will need an extra room at the Highlands Inn for my daughters. Would really be nice to get this!

  214. I live directly across the street from the Hyatt Resort, Spa, and Casino in Incline Village, NV, so I’d probably put guests there. One of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed at was the Park Hyatt in Mendoza Argentina, so I’d love to go back there too.

  219. I’ve stayed at both the Park Hyatt Chicago and the Highlands Inn recently and would return to either hotels.

  220. Absolutely Park Hyatt Tokyo. I stayed there last week for one night. It was unbelievable. Thanks again.

  235. I’ll be hiking across the wastelands of Northeast Afghanistan/S Tajikistan this summer doing research on Silk Road history, and coming back home via Moscow. So I certainly wouldn’t mind a couple nights at the Park there!

  244. Pick me. Park Hyatt Tokyo and Grand Hyatt Tokyo would be my first choices. However, since I live thousands of miles from there, Grand Hyatt NYC would more than suffice.

  246. Hyatt Grand Cypress Orlando … Grand Hyatt NYC or for fun maybe even the new Hyatt Place near Mohegan Sun in CT!! – WooHoo, loyal Hyatt member!!

  249. My first choice would be the fantastic Hyatt Regency Boston. Thank a lot for your generosity.

    Ketan

  252. I’d like to use the free nights at the new Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City when it opens. Otherwise I’d try the Andaz Wall Street.

  261. Wow another great giveaway! I’d use my free nights in Tokyo…unless something gets lost in translation

  264. Taking my boys to the AAA all-star game in PA. Plan to stay at the Hyatt Place nearby

  269. I’ve never been to a Hyatt Property so I’d like to go to one! I’m based out of Knoxville, so if you had recommendations I’d certainly listen to them.

  272. Thanks again for your generosity.

    I was hoping on using it at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

    Randal

  281. I’d love to use two free nights at the newly refurbished Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington. It would make for an ultra cheap getaway for my husband and myself!

  287. Thanks Gary. Could really use a vacation anywhere, but would love to see Singapore if possible.

  291. Thanks for the great offer! I plan to use my free nights for the Big Welcome Back bonus for the Park Hyatt Seattle this summer!

  294. So i am switching my matress run brought about by the volcano to Hyatt. will sped the nights in Europe later in the year

  298. Have just returned from Park Hyatt Paris Vendome. Was fantastic.

    Being based in Europe not many opportunities to earn free nights. (especially now with the disruptions of the Volcano). Usually end up earning them from stays in London etc.

    Would love to use the free night either in either Istanbul Park Hyatt or Grand Hyatt. Or a quick trip up to Zurich where I have never been even though I am close (based in Switzerland)

  303. Love Hyatts. I’d love one (more) free stay at the Regency in LA. Thanks for this offer!

  307. Park Hyatt in DC would be awesome. I am getting married and my guests would appreciate a little break on their travel expenses.

    Thanks

  311. Highlands Inn is HIGH on my list of locations where I’d like to redeem free nights. I’ve been trying to find a time when both myself and my husband can get away for a few days’ visit!

  313. If I could choose the hyatt grand in Aspen, I would, otherwise probably the Park Hyatt Beaver creek

  321. Andaz 5th Avenue, if it opens in time. Otherwise it’ll probably be the Park Hyatt Chicago.

  326. Wow, altruism still exists on this planet! I would like to redeem these nights at the Park Hyatt Chicago. Keep up the good work!

  330. As boring as it might sound, there is actually a Hyatt Place hotel in Chesapeake VA, about a mile from where my family lives. Winning this contest would literally save Christmas for me, my family and my wife. Staying at the house means overcrowding, shared bathrooms, and entirely too much “family time.” Being just a short ride away opens up new levels of holiday freedom, which we would all appreciate.

  342. Getting married soon, as in When We Get Around To It, and this would be a great booster! Hawaii?

  345. I’m heading to grad school in the fall and will be living on a tiny stipend, so I fear that Paris is sadly out of the question. I would most likely use these to host my mother when she comes to visit me in Charlotte. A nice treat for her as I remind myself that Paris will be there in two years.

    Thanks for the offer, Gary!

  346. I’d love to think about taking my beautiful wife to some amazing destination, but with the two little ones, it would be enough just to get to Denver…

  350. My vote is for the Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort & Spa in George, South Africa. I would drink Mimosa’s at sunrise gazing over the Indian Ocean and savor the sunsets with my husband. I haven’t golfed in years, but while there will take a multitude of lessons. I can say I learned to play golf in South Africa…now how cool is that. And I’m sure the spa will work all the soreness away. Of course I’ll need a few days to work on my tan at the yummy pool…..Now wouldn’t that be a wonderful anniversary present for my husband and I.

  351. I would like to redeem my miles in Sydney, but I would likely redeem them in Stamford, CT so that it wouldn’t cost me anything to attend a wedding this Summer.

  352. Please pick me, all knowing random number generator. The Chesapeake Bay Hyatt awaits me.

  353. Park Hyatt Goa or Park Hyatt Tokyo would be the preferred use. Grand Erawan is the most likely.

  354. I would probably stay at the Park Hyatt Chicago, as I don’t do much international travel.

    Thanks!

  357. Man, I really need this for NYC. The Grand Hyatt would be perfect. PERFECT, I TELL YOU! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, PLEASE PICK ME!

  361. I agree… thank for the chance. I’d take my kinder away for a short Hyatt trip. Anywhere in the NW will do.

  363. I would love to go to California this summer. My husband will agree if I’m able to do it all with points.

  367. Well again take the lead, a generous promotion here and a more generous one for staying nights. I know why I love Hyatt.

  370. Well, I think a quick getaway to the Park Hyatt Washington DC would be lovely! But since that’s not a Hyatt Place property, their Dulles location would be a nice change!

  377. Dublin Hyatt Place is my favorite casual stay locale. As for the BWB reward, I would lay out on the beaches by the Hyatt Grand Kauai 🙂 Thanks for the promotion!

  381. I would use them for my honeymoon in May. Either in LA or Denver. Wow free nights would be quite a blessing! 🙂

  383. I am Diamond for life with Hyatt since I have stayed in so many of its hotels all around the world. Would suggest to get for a foreign Hyatt,particularly in Asia.
    I myself would go the the Grand Hyatt Bali again!

  386. My son has dreamed for years of going to the Highlands Inn in California but we never have been able to afford it.

  389. This is easy! I will use my two nights at the Hyatt Grand Cypress in Orlando when we go to Walt Disney World the first weekend in June.

  390. Would like to get back to Grand Hyatt Kauai – went there for honeymoon 12 years ago!

  392. Probably the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill since my wife has never been to London. That or the Hyatt at Lake Tahoe – on the North Shore. And Gary – thanks for doing this.

  395. Grand Hyatt NYC! or maybe Hyatt Newport, RI for a quicktrip away. Love them FFN; just need to find enough hyatts to hit diamond!

  396. Thank you for all of the information and offers. I’d explore for a nice Hyatt for my family to visit.

  406. Thanks! I would love to be in London, UK. Haven’t been in a Hyatt for quite a while, but had one small quibble. I love to make a pot of coffee first thing in the morning, and they are the only chain hotel I have encountered that did not have a coffee maker. Or was the Vancouver Hyatt an exception?

  408. My husband and I would love to celebrate our Anniversary at the Hyatt in Newport, RI.

  409. Hi Gary, I would love a free night because I lost my job recently (I know, boo-hoo) but I really don’t want to cancel my plans to visit Arlington Cemetery on D-Day Weekend. So that would be Hyatt Arlington (VA). Thank you, Gary!!

  415. Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay – I’ll be visiting Tampa in May for my granddaughter’s Christening!

  416. Thanks again to Gary & Hyatt for the offer!

    I would love to get a chance to check out a Hyatt

    Always wanted too but so far the best intentions….

  418. Thanks Gary for the blog and all the offers. Traveling is so much fun when you have tips from the community. Yes, I would love the free Hyatt nights.

  419. Thank you for another great opportunity. I will be in both Berlin and Hamburg. Either place will make me smile.

  420. Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, we stayed there this March, loved it so much that we plan to go back as soon as we can.

  425. We loved the Hotel Victor in South Beach and would love to use the nights there! Thanks!!!

  426. Would dearly LOVE to have 2 free nights at Hyatt’s Hill Country Resort. Then I could upgrade our room, have more space for all the kids, and even manage some spa time for mom! (Does any mother ever REALLY get a vacation?) Now, THAT would be something to look forward to. 🙂

  431. Best deals for redemption in North America seem to be the Park Hyatt’s in Toronto. Would love to win the giveaway for a nice weekend in Canada via a mileage run through Buffalo with a night first at Niagara Falls. Thanks Gary, I enjoy and have learned a great deal from your blog & ft posts.

  432. Who’d a thought there were two Lewiss? It’s rare to encounter another one. I put the initial of my last name to differentiate. And I’ve stayed at the Park Hyatt in SF, a cut above the regular one.

    I would dearly love to return to the one in Milano. Heaven near the best gelato I’ve had.

  438. Looking forward to a free stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo — it’s a surprise trip in August to celebrate my spouse finally finishing his Ph.D.!

  444. I’m lucky enough to be going to Paris for working. Trying to justify the cost to bring my wife along. A couple extra nights there would make it all make sense.

    Thanks for doing this.

  446. I’ve got a few months left on my Chinese visa. The Park Hyatt Shanghai would provide lasting memories…

  449. Because of limited vacation days I would use the days for Hyatt Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale!

  450. My friends just moved to Shanghai, so Shanghai Grand Hyatt for me! pick me please!

  460. Hyatt Place in DC here I come. Can’t wait to visit the Air and Space museum again and again!

  467. Andaz Wall Street would be a nice stay – or maybe the new “Park Hyatt Aviara” now that the Four Seasons is no longer there

  479. Id love to use a couple of free nights in Australia at the Fabulous Park Hyatt Sydney.
    I think theres no better view in the whole world

  484. hi,

    recently went to the parkhyatt tokyo.
    loved it, the stunning view in the 54th floor from my huge suite was priceless.

    would love to get back there.

    dp

  494. Planning a trip to London next month and this would be fantastic! Thanks, Gary, for this opportunity and for years of valuable insights and tips that have greatly improved my travels.

  495. Hi Gary, this is easy. I would redeem the nights at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome with my hubby. Thanks!

  498. The Hyatt Welcome Back program is great and has converted me over to Hyatt. I have just become a Diamond member.

  507. There’s no place like the Hyatt Hua Hin. Warm nights and mmmm finger licking good food in thailand topped with a little bit of political discord. What could be better?

  511. I have been staying at Hyatts whenever I can since they started offering these generous promotions. They have some truly wonderful 5-star accommodations, unlike some other hotel chains with decent loyalty programs. I would use this on my trip to Tokyo for the Park Hyatt.

  514. Oh to stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa. There’d be no other choice for me. Have walked through the property several times, and always dreamed that “someday”…

  520. Hyatt Hua Hin for me. By far the most outstanding Hyatt resort in Asia and, with a total refurbishment underway for their club division (opening Jan 2011), I’m looking forward to an amazing break! 🙂 Great blog.

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