Hyatt Visa big spenders get elite nights and stays credit as of Oct. 1, 2012

I have no affiliate links with credit card providers on Loyalty Traveler, so this post is for informational purposes only to share enhancements with the Hyatt Visa card effective October 1, 2012.

Since I do not pay much attention to credit cards, my initial impression on glancing at blog posts was Hyatt Visa added the benefit of complimentary Hyatt Diamond for $40,000 in annual credit card spend, similar to HHonors Diamond after $40,000 annual spend for Hilton American Express Surpass card members.

Not even close.

Hyatt Gold Passport members receive elite nights and stays credit upon reaching $20,000 and $40,000 annual spend thresholds.

• Spend $20,000 = 2 stays and 5 nights elite credit toward Diamond status (new card feature as of October 1, 2012). Diamond status requires 25 stays or 50 nights in a Jan-Dec calendar year.
• Spend $40,000 = 5 stays and 10 nights elite credit toward Diamond status (new card feature as of October 1, 2012). Note: the 5 stays and 10 nights is total elite credit including the $20,000 elite credit stays and nights.
• Cardmembers earn 2 points for every $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets when purchased directly from the airline, and at car rental agencies (new card feature as of October 1, 2012).
• Cardmembers earn 3 Hyatt Gold Passport points for every $1 spent at Hyatt properties worldwide.
• Cardmembers earn 1 Hyatt Gold Passport point for every $1 spent elsewhere.

The changes regarding elite stays and nights credit for annual card spend looks like whale bait to me for the big spenders who can funnel loads of dollars with their big mouth baleen consumerism through credit card filled wallets.

I am just a Monterey sardine-sized credit cards spender in comparison. $20,000 in annual spend is a sea of krill I can’t feed on.

The October 1, 2012 changes to earn elite credits are enhancements for some Hyatt Gold Passport members. The 2 points per $1 for restaurants, airline and car rentals is a nice travel related enhancement for all Hyatt card members.

Two free nights upon enrollment and a free night annually at category 1 to 4 hotels for card renewal is still the biggest benefit of the Hyatt Visa.

Looks like Diamond elite will still have to come the hard way for me.

Can we see a ‘Stays Count Double’ promotion return in 2013?

Hyatt Visa Card link.

Note: this is a generic landing page for the Hyatt Visa card and not an affiliate link that offers payment to Loyalty Traveler.

Ric Garrido, writer and owner of Loyalty Traveler, shares news and views on hotels, hotel loyalty programs and vacation destinations for frequent guests. You can follow Loyalty Traveler on Twitter and Facebook and RSS feed.