Last week Hyatt mistakenly sent out an offer for their co-branded credit card that promised lifetime Diamond elite status (as long as applicants keep the card).
They meant, of course, to promise Platinum status, not top-tier Diamond as Platinum is a benefit of the card.
The offer seems to have been sent to current Gold Passport Diamond members who don’t already have the card. Perhaps the targeting of Diamond members contributed to the confusion that led to the mistake offer.
This is tricky because the mistake is a huge offer. Lifetime Diamond status is normally earned after 1,000,000 base points in the Gold Passport program ($200,000 in eligible spending with Hyatt!). But credit card marketing is also now closely regulated by the federal government. What were they going to do?
They’re going to honor the offer for those people who received the email and applied before they followed up that it was a mistake.
So folks who jumped on it right away will receive Diamond status as long as they keep the card.
On the other hand, anyone that applied but didn’t themselves receive the offer will not have it honored for them. Folks who jumped in on it because someone shared it with them other than Hyatt won’t become Diamond members.
I’m genuinely envious of those who got in on this!
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Also jealous, but Hyatt did the only thing they could do in a tight situation. I’m glad they followed through as quickly as they did (both in correcting the offer and clarifying their position on those who took advantage of it).
Unless Hyatt significantly increases Diamond requirements, this really isn’t that valuable. Of course, given how easy Diamond is to maintain, Hyatt probably will increase the requirements within the next few years.
Let me add, this really isn’t that valuable IF you already intend to maintain Diamond status. For those who will just stay 4x per year for the suite upgrades and free breakfast, this is very valuable.
It really is another slap in the face for international members – less properties, higher rates, no credit card!
“On the other hand, anyone that applied but didn’t themselves receive the offer will not have it honored for them. Folks who jumped in on it because someone shared it with them other than Hyatt won’t become Diamond members.”
What is your source for this statement?
I don’t think they have a choice but to honor the deal to everyone that applied. The offer was never targeted.
Or at least there are no clause in the ad that suggests it was a targeted offer.
@David – Hyatt corporate
This is another stupid Hyatt crap that’s alienating current Diamond like myself.
I’m glad I won’t be with them next year and will stay at SPG.
@Sam – you do realize that there are a lot more Starwood lifetime Platinums than there are Hyatt lifetime Diamonds? And that Starwood doesn’t give you confirmed at booking upgrades, right? And that Starwood’s top properties require even more in-hotel spend to redeem for than Hyatt’s?
I was lucky enough to get in on this and have had it honored. I really was lucky in that I was only Diamond by virtue of a challenge I did with no intention of actually doing the challenge, I just wanted the status for our last Maldives trip. And now I will have that status for “life”!! It is definitely one of the best deals for me this year. In reality it will probably benefit Hyatt as I really don’t use them that often but I will be more inclined to do so now. I’m already planning a celebratory trip to Andaz Maui!
@MilesAbound – congratulatons!!
Am I supposed to contact hyatt or chase to get the offer honored? Been overseas so my phone has been off for a while.
Should have jumped on that immediately after reading it in my inbox!