Best Ways To Earn Hyatt Gift Checks

As described in my previous post about the differences between Hyatt Gift Checks and Gift Cards, this post will describe the best way to redeem for Hyatt gift checks through points.

My current favorite way to earn the gift checks are through manufactured spend using any Citi card that offers ThankYou points. I earn almost all of my points from the Barnes and Nobles Campus Bookstores loading my American Express Campus Edition card. This method, I am basically profiting $80 for every $100 redeemed towards a Hyatt stay with manufacturing spend loading the Campus Edition.

Any other denomination outside of $100 at Citi is not worth it as your point would be worth less than $.01

Amtrak Guest Rewards also offers Hyatt gift cards, but that is exactly that, gift cards.

Here are the terms and conditions from Amtrak regarding the Hyatt gift card

This card can be applied toward eligible purchases at participating Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Locations are subject to change without notice and acceptance varies by property. Not valid for Casino charges, concessions within the hotel not owned or operated by Hyatt, packages or rates that require advanced purchase or deposit, deposits, payments for meetings, catering, and group functions, negotiated volume rates (whether paid by the group or on an individual basis) for example, negotiated volume business, organization, meeting, convention, and crew rates. Negotiated volume rates are special rates that have been previously negotiated and agreed to in writing by a business, individual, organization or association in exchange for a “volume” or block of rooms. Purchases will be reduced by the value remaining on the card. In Canada, purchases will be reduced by converting the USD value of the card into local currency. If a transaction exceeds the card’s available balance, the user must pay the difference. The card must be presented at the time of purchase. The card is not replaceable if lost, destroyed, stolen, and may not be redeemed or exchanged for cash except where required by law. No change will be returned from this card except where required by law. Value from an active card is not transferable to another card. Card value/balance does not expire. This card is a prepaid, stored value card, and not a credit card. Terms are void where prohibited by law. Terms and Conditions of the card are governed by the laws of the state of Maryland, USA without regard to its choice of law provisions. Certificate is void if sold for cash or other consideration © 2010 Hyatt Fulfillment of Maryland, Inc. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts™ encompasses hotels and resorts managed, franchised, or operated by subsidiaries and affiliates of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. HYATT™, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts™, Grand Hyatt™, Hyatt Regency™, Park Hyatt™, Hyatt Place™, Hyatt Summerfield Suites™, and Andaz™, names, designs and related marks are trademarks of Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Here are the terms from Hyatt.com

This card can be applied toward eligible purchases at participating Hyatt Hotels and Resorts in the U.S., Canada and Caribbean. Locations are subject to change without notice and acceptance varies by property. Not valid for casino charges, deposit or payment for group/meeting/catering functions, advance purchased packages or at concessions within the hotel not owned or operated by Hyatt. Purchases will be reduced by the value remaining on the card. In Canada, purchases will be reduced by converting the USD value of the card into local currency. If a transaction exceeds the card’s available balance, the user must pay the difference. The card must be presented at the time of purchase. The card is not replaceable if lost, destroyed, stolen, and may not be redeemed or exchanged for cash except where required by law. No change will be returned from this card except where required by law. Value from an active card is not transferable to another card. Card value/ balance does not expire. This card is a prepaid, stored value card, and not a credit card. Terms are void where prohibited by law. Terms and Conditions of the card are governed by the laws of the state of Maryland, USA without regard to its choice of law provisions. Certificate is void if sold for cash or other consideration Hyatt Hotels and Resorts encompasses hotels and resorts managed, franchised, or operated by two separate groups of companies – Hyatt Corporation and it affiliates and affiliates of Hyatt International Corp. ©2011 Hyatt Fulfillment of Maryland, Inc.

Below is from Southwest Rapid Rewards:

The descriptions match perfectly between Citi and Southwest which give it away as being gift checks. The terms and description on Amtrak matches Hyatt’s and that’s the giveaway that those are gift cards.