For years, I didn’t consider myself to be a Hyatt loyalist. The Hyatt hotel footprint didn’t align with our travel patterns, and we went several years without staying at any of their properties. Between 2017 and 2021, we only used Hyatt hotels for three nights, and that was only to redeem expiring free night certificates. I even questioned whether it was worth keeping the World of Hyatt card. Although the card offers an annual Category 1-4 free night, I struggled to find places to use it.
Limited Options for Category 1-4 Free Nights in the U.S.
Over time, I realized that using a Category 1-4 free night certificate in the United States can be challenging. Many Hyatt properties in major cities start at Category 5 or higher. To make the most of my free night, I aim to redeem it at a Hyatt House, Hyatt Place, or sometimes a Grand Hyatt, especially when cash rates are higher than usual.
Thankfully, Hyatt allows free night bookings, even during peak seasons, if a standard room is available. Last year, this benefit helped me get incredible value when I redeemed a free night worth $450 in Washington, D.C. Although that experience was unique, I would still be thrilled to get even $200 in value for the $95 annual fee.
Striking Gold Again: Exceptional Value from Hyatt Free Nights
Call it luck or good timing, but I recently found another fantastic use for my Hyatt free-night certificate—this time at a Category 2 Hyatt Place. Here’s what the rates looked like for a Saturday night stay.
A room with a king bed and sofa bed started at $391 plus tax, which put the final price over $425. I was able to choose a room with a high floor since both are considered base-level rooms. This was a Category 2 property, and on a peak night, it would cost 9,500 points, which is still a great deal compared to $400+.
Why I’m Keeping the World of Hyatt Card (For Now)
While I’m still not planning to spend an additional $15,000 on the World of Hyatt card to earn a second free night, I’m happy to pay the $95 annual fee to keep one free night certificate in my account. These occasional high-value redemptions make it worth it, and I’ll be ready for the next opportunity.
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