As has been widely written about in the past few days, there is a current promotional code to obtain 10% off the price of Hyatt Gift Cards. The code which is entered at checkout is GPGIFT14 and the link to order (which also sets forth the terms and conditions) is HERE.
Thus a $2,000 Gift Card would cost only $1,800. Additionally, if you purchase the gift card with an American Express Small Business Card that has “Open Savings” you should get an additional 5% off. The Fed Ex shipping charge is $6 (Loyalty Lobby reports that there will also be a comparable e-gift card promotion without shipping fees available in mid-November).
Last year, I bought a $2000 Hyatt Gift Card during a comparable sale. The 10% off code brought the price down to $1,800. I purchased the card with my SPG business American Express Card, which reduced the price an additional $90. I thus paid $1,710 for a $2,000 Hyatt Gift Card. By paying with the SPG card instead of a Chase Hyatt Visa, I earned SPG points and sacrificed some amount of Hyatt Gold Passport points (which is probably OK since it is harder to earn SPG points).
Now that the scenario is set forth, here are some of my experiences with the Hyatt Gift Card that you should keep in mind when deciding whether or not to purchase a Hyatt Gift Card.
1. You have to remember to bring the Gift Card with you. I know this sounds dumb, but the card does no good sitting in your sock drawer. Similarly, if you lose it, it is like cash. If you are traveling with the card on you, you need to worry about the safekeeping of the card.
2. The gift card is only valid at Hyatt hotels in the US, Canada and the Caribbean. If you plan a lot of international travel, the gift card is of no value.
3. Using the Hyatt Gift Card is a PITA. It is simply not user-friendly. It is very hard to keep track of the balance. I used to write the balance with a sharpie on the card each time I used it. But there is no website to check balances. I had to go on faith that the numbers I was given were correct.
4. The Hyatt Gift Card does not automatically swipe. Instead the Hyatt employee has to manually enter the numbers and wait for a confirmation. There are frequent glitches, and they often have to make phone calls (to whom I don’t know, and it doesn’t look like they know either). Check-out is thus not simple or expedited. I have had to wait as long as 3 days with frequent call backs to ensure that the card was properly charged. Time is money. There is a certain lack-of-clarity feeling when using the card.
5. Many Hyatt employees have never seen a Hyatt Gift Card and have no idea how to use them. This is especially so with the night staff – I have almost missed early morning flights because a night employee has no idea what to do with a gift card.
6. In many instances, my credit card on file got charged anyway. Since you always have to have a credit card on file at a Hyatt (or any) hotel for incidentals, often when I went to pay with the gift card the credit card had already been charged for the stay. Then comes the job of reversing the charge, which often leads to problems requiring calls to the credit card company, etc.
Having said all that, it is for you to decide whether to purchase a Hyatt Gift Card. The Hyatt Gift Card I bought last year is almost depleted. I am still deciding whether I will purchase another one or not.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Many Hyatt properties actually can swipe gift cards for redemption.
i.e. HR Waikiki, HP Las Vegas, etc.
But you are right about the confusion when settling the room with a gift card.
The front desk agent at PH Toronto had no idea what to do and had to call a supervisor for assistance.
thanks Shaun. I guess they theoretically can swipe – but in my experience it never seems to work!
These are a PITA,. We bought $4,000 a year ago, and are still sitting on probably $2,500. I would not buy these again without an immediate use.
I get the cards in smaller denominations and use them over several different trips. You can also scan or copy the back of the card with the numbers, so you do not have to worry about losing a card. One time I forgot to bring a card, and then I called the hotel and gave the number and it was switched from my credit card. And you can call Hyatt to get the balance. And you earn Hyatt points at the hotel when you use the card, as well as get an effective 10 to 15% discount on other items you charge to the room (such as rentals or excursions) and pay for with a discounted gift card.
I’m not saying I wouldn’t buy a Hyatt Gift Card – the 10% discount is great, and I likely will buy another one. However, it seems like I’m not the only one who encountered the problems I’ve mentioned, and I hope that the Hyatt Reps read the post and correct some of these glitches.
I’ve never had a problem using Gift Cards at a full service Hyatt, but I have had lots of issues at Hyatt Place properties. Now, f they don’t know how to swipe it I just give up immediately and pay with my Chase Hyatt card.
I number the gift cards when I receive them, and use them in number order. I keep the two lowest numbered ones in a room key sleeve, and get the agent to write the remaining balance on the sleeve.
When the balance on a card gord to zero, I check at the next hotel before throwing it in the trash.
Kathy and Will Run For Miles Readers,
Thanks so much for writing an article about the Hyatt Gift Card 10% promotion currently being offered to Hyatt Gold Passport Members. As manager of the Hyatt Gift Card program, I appreciate the insight you provide into our program, and how we can improve it. You have covered off on many challenges to the program we are either addressing presently, or have enhancements coming soon to make it a better experience for you, the Hyatt Gift Card holder. To address some of the comments in the article, and reader comments:
1. Remembering to bring your Hyatt Gift Card with you. No worries here! We are integrated with a number of mobile wallets including Gyft, GoWallet, Google Wallet, PayPal Wallet and others that allow you to add not only your Hyatt Gift Card, but any other branded gift cards you may have. Just show your Smartphone version of the Hyatt Gift Card to a Hyatt associate, and you’re set!
2. Card only accepted in US, Canada, Caribbean – In 2015 (timing not yet available), we will launch Global acceptance of the Hyatt Gift Card.
3. Using the card is a PITA – Beginning in a few weeks, you will be able to check the balance of your Hyatt Gift Card at http://www.hyattgiftcards.com.
4. Hyatt Gift Cards being keyed in (instead of swiped) Agreed here. There are occasions, especially at our Hyatt Place and HYATT house hotels where the Hyatt associate does have to key in the card number. This is due to system limitations, but by the end of 2014, all hotels are expected to be upgraded, allowing for a swipe of the card.
5. Hyatt Associates don’t recognize the card – Hyatt Gift Card distribution continues to expand. Starting this month, Hyatt Gift Cards will be available in over 6,000 grocery stores throughout the U.S. The more cards in circulation, the more common it will be for our associates to use them. At the same time though, regardless of the number of cards, our associates should be fully trained on the product, and we will strive to ensure proper training at the hotel level.
6. Credit Card still charged – I don’t like to hear this is happening. It appears you are getting it resolved, but let us know anytime at chicago.giftcards@hyatt.com if you need any assistance.
I know I shared a lot, but we really do want to make the use of the Hyatt Gift Card the best experience possible. If anyone needs assistance with your cards, please feel free to e-mail us anytime at chicago.giftcards@hyatt.com.
Safe Travels!
Todd – Manager – Hyatt Gift Cards
I bought about $2,000 last year with an Amex open card (I forget which one, probably business gold card) and just want to alert you that the 5% Open savings did NOT post automatically. I called in and was told it did not apply to gift cards but agent was kind enough to make a manual adjustment. Watch your credit card statement closely and follow-up if necessary and hope you are given the same courtesy I was given.