Hyatt Visa: 2 Free Nights, No Fee First Year + $50 Statement Credit (But No Suite Nights for Diamonds)

The Hyatt Visa offer is still the best hotel credit card bonus offer and now has no annual fee its first year including the $50 statement credit offer when booking a U.S. Hyatt. Previously, the $75 annual fee was not waived the first year.

Now, with the $50 statement credit, no annual fee and the two free nights, the value could be over $2100, if, for example, you redeem for a Park Villa at the Park Hyatt Maldives during peak season (around Christmas and New Year's) when a Park Villa runs over $1000 per night:

That's the good news. The bad news, at least for existing Hyatt Gold Passport Platinum and Diamond elites, is that the Hyatt Visa no longer comes with an additional sweetened offer. Previously, existing Hyatt Diamond members who applied for the Hyatt Visa received their 2 free award nights in a suite–this is no longer the case with the revised Hyatt Visa offer–the two free nights for Hyatt Diamond members are in a standard room.

Similarly, existing Hyatt Platinums who applied for the Hyatt Visa used to receive 2 suite upgrade certificates for paid stays; this also is no longer part of the Hyatt Visa offer, so if you're a Hyatt Platinum and apply now for the Hyatt Visa you won't receive these suite upgrade certificates.

FAQ

How Can I Receive the $50 Statement Credit?

There's no direct link to it, you'll see it when in the process of booking a Hyatt property, typically a U.S. Hyatt. For more details, see Hyatt Visa Still the Best Hotel Credit Card Bonus Offer.

I Recently Applied for the Hyatt Visa Without a $50 Statement Credit, Can I Still Get the Statement Credit?

No guarantees, but it's worth a try, especially if you've recently booked a Hyatt (since the $50 statement credit is supposed to be for customers booking a Hyatt property). Send a secure message when logged into your Chase account and ask nicely if the $50 statement credit can be applied, because you recently booked a Hyatt.

How Long After Meeting the Minimum Spend Until I Receive My 2 Free Night Certificates?

Per the terms, after qualifying, allow 10 days for your free nights to post to your Hyatt Gold Passport account.

How Long Do I Have to Use the Free Nights?

One year from date of issuance–so make sure you can maximize their value and can use them within the next year.

Are There Any Blackout Dates?

No, but a standard room must be available. For example, at the Park Hyatt Paris, a Park Queen or Park Twin room must be available. If those room types are sold out and only Park Deluxe rooms are available for your dates, you won't be able to redeem your free night for those dates.

I Had the Hyatt Visa But Cancelled the Card. Can I Apply and Receive the 2 Free Nights Bonus Again?

Officially, no. The terms are very clear: “This one-time bonus offer is valid only for first-time Hyatt Credit Cardmembers with new accounts. Previous and existing Hyatt Credit Cardmembers/accounts are not eligible for this bonus offer.”

It's possible that after a long enough time, and particularly if your original Hyatt Gold Passport account is no longer open, that you may be able to receive the bonus again with a new Hyatt Gold Passport account. But don't count on it, since the terms explicitly are to the contrary.

Is There Any Way to Redeem the Free Nights and Upgrade?

Yes, at some properties a paid upgrade is possible. For example, at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome a paid upgrade from a Park Queen Room to a Park Deluxe Room is 120 EUR per night, and Deluxe Rooms will fit 2 adults and 1 child.

At the Park Hyatt Maldives, a paid upgrade from a Park Villa to a Park Pool Villa is $200 per night ($210 per night in 2014), and a paid upgrade from a Park Villa to a Park Water Villa is $350 per night ($365 per night in 2014).

Can I Use Points to Upgrade a Free Award Night Room?

No, not Hyatt Gold Passport points. But you could use the Barclays Arrival Card miles to get up to $440 in free upgrades given the 40,000 “mile” signup bonus and 10% mileage rebate when redeeming for travel. So that would cover:

• 2 upgraded nights to a Park Pool Villa at the Park Hyatt Maldives; or
• 1 upgraded night to a Park Water Villa at the Park Hyatt Maldives; or
• Almost 3 upgraded nights to a Park Deluxe rooom at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome.