As was mentioned above don't forget to sign up for MLife. Diamond gets you MLife Platinum. I just booked rooms at Vdara and the Mlife Plat rate was $129 versus the Hyatt elite rate of $169.00. And you get both Hyatt points and MLife tier points (not that they will ever do me any good). You also get a dedicated check in line which can be very helpful in Vegas.
Hyatt Diamond Status Match
- Thread starter jackal3000
- Start date
gilapoin21
Level 2 Member
Good to hear. I will do that. Thanks
gilapoin21
Level 2 Member
Nice! Which room do you get at that rate?
I actually booked two rooms. One was a deluxe room at Vdara for $97/night (Hyatt $159.00) I just checked. These are the correct numbers, my earlier post was incorrect. The Vdara Suite is $199 at Hyatt and $129 through MLife.
I also booked an executive King Suite at the MGM for a total of $283 for 3 nights. "Step into this lavish suite of MGM Grand, a AAA Four-Diamond rated resort. Our 675-square-foot suites are big on comfort and bigger on style...... That is not even offered on the Hyatt web site.
If the weather is nice and warm, it is the MGM with it's great pools and lazy river. If not, Vdara it is
I also booked an executive King Suite at the MGM for a total of $283 for 3 nights. "Step into this lavish suite of MGM Grand, a AAA Four-Diamond rated resort. Our 675-square-foot suites are big on comfort and bigger on style...... That is not even offered on the Hyatt web site.
If the weather is nice and warm, it is the MGM with it's great pools and lazy river. If not, Vdara it is
Disturbing update........Just got off the phone with MGM. Requested my emailed confirmation. I was told that the rooms we book as MLife members come from what is known as the "Casino Block." I was told that there is no guarantee that my requested suite will be available. Despite the reservation AND paying for the first night. The hotel looks at all MLife activity associated with each account (so in my case none) and they assign rooms. IF the suite is available I can have it. If not, I am downgraded to who knows what. At least at Vdara the base room is still 564 sq feet and they can't downgrade me. How very disappointing
niehlin2
Level 2 Member
If you have enough points and would like to use the points only and if an upgrade with a small fee is offered to you, you can pay for the upgrade. The night will be counted as a stay instead of an award night. This will be an easy and cheap way to complete the diamond challenge.
R
RamboAroundTheWorld
Guest
I thought this only worked with the points + cash option?
pointsaholic
Level 2 Member
It's counted as a qualified night as long as you paid something for the room. I used my 2 free award nights at Hyatt Zilara and paid $20/night for an upgrade. They were counted as qualified nights. I called Hyatt to find out and was confirmed.
Surprising. Wish I had known this before. Got upgraded on an award stay in Kyoto at the Hyatt Regency. Would have been happy to pay a little for the night credits. Learn something new in this hobby every single day.
R
RamboAroundTheWorld
Guest
Wow, so we could in theory book the cheapest room on points available, spring $20 a pop on an upgrade each night, and use that solely for our Diamond challenge?
pointsaholic
Level 2 Member
Not sure how to get a "paid" upgrade when you are diamond since they are more apt to give you it for free. If you can get it, it should work. As niehlin2 said, the upgrade amount varies.
R
RamboAroundTheWorld
Guest
Well I was thinking of going the opposite way and booking a cheap hotel on points and searching for upgrades then. Isn't Hyatt's Tier 1 only 5k points?
True. Wonder if it would be possible to try and figure a way around the system.
gilapoin21
Level 2 Member
How about parking fees? Would that stay count as qualified night for Diamond Challenge if the room is paid using points?
Highly doubtful.
I got excited after reading your report and selected an e-standby upgrade at a property I stayed at this past weekend. Was upgraded to a suite and when I checked out I was terribly disappointed that I wasn't charged for the e-standby... Debating whether it's worth it to complete the challenge now. Lowest priced properties in my area within the challenge time-frame are $89 + taxes.
It's a weird world we live in when we are disappointed not to be charged for an upgraded room
pointsaholic
Level 2 Member
I think it has to be related to the room charge - it got interpreted as if it was "points and cash"
niehaubs
Level 2 Member
Possibly a stupid question, but does the MLife status match track with the Hyatt status? I registered and am a platinum Hyatt (credit card) and was matched to the appropriate MLife level. But I will be taking the diamond challenge hopefully in a few months, will MLife track the upgrade as well, or do I need to re-submit or call the MLife help desk? Does anyone know? I don't see a lot of extra benefit to it, I am just wondering since I have Vegas stays coming up in Feb that I can book while a Diamond in December
Once you have Diamond, just get back on MLife site and redo it. I didn't try to do it until the challenge was completed. So I now have Platinum with MLife as a result of Hyatt Diamond which gives a few nice benefits. But you need to be aware that stays at MLife properties in Vegas do NOT count as stays for the Diamond challenge.Possibly a stupid question, but does the MLife status match track with the Hyatt status? I registered and am a platinum Hyatt (credit card) and was matched to the appropriate MLife level. But I will be taking the diamond challenge hopefully in a few months, will MLife track the upgrade as well, or do I need to re-submit or call the MLife help desk? Does anyone know? I don't see a lot of extra benefit to it, I am just wondering since I have Vegas stays coming up in Feb that I can book while a Diamond in December
Also be aware that mlife resets each year so you have to "register" with what ever your current status. This is true with most casino related status, you need to requalify each year.
The tool should correctly update and reflect to your new status. If the tool is down for whatever reason you can tweet @HyattConcierge and they'll get you squared away. I had to resort to the latter a couple of months ago.
Aside from the gaming bonus, the biggest perks IMO are the ability to jump the taxi queue and the priority valet. Ridiculously handy when a big event or convention has just let out (or at properties with stupid long 15 minute taxi queues at all hours of the day, such as the Aria).
Free admission to the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay and to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage are some unadvertised benefits. Not sure about the comped party size as I only went with my SO.
Aside from the gaming bonus, the biggest perks IMO are the ability to jump the taxi queue and the priority valet. Ridiculously handy when a big event or convention has just let out (or at properties with stupid long 15 minute taxi queues at all hours of the day, such as the Aria).
Free admission to the Shark Reef at the Mandalay Bay and to Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage are some unadvertised benefits. Not sure about the comped party size as I only went with my SO.
Just got back from Vegas. I did get the Executive Suite at the MGM .Disturbing update........Just got off the phone with MGM. Requested my emailed confirmation. I was told that the rooms we book as MLife members come from what is known as the "Casino Block." I was told that there is no guarantee that my requested suite will be available. Despite the reservation AND paying for the first night. The hotel looks at all MLife activity associated with each account (so in my case none) and they assign rooms. IF the suite is available I can have it. If not, I am downgraded to who knows what. At least at Vdara the base room is still 564 sq feet and they can't downgrade me. How very disappointing
Must have been pretty low on the suite "totem pole" because I had a lovely view of the roof.
Not looking good. Got a reply email stating that the promotion period has ended. Responded and asked if there was anything they can do since I was waiting to enroll so that I can take advantage of the trial during my upcoming holiday stays. To be continued...
McRingRing
Level 2 Member
I just had my 12th night of the challenge last night, so definitely lucked out by a couple of weeks!
Can't really blame them for shutting it down... I'm sure there are plenty of people Vendoming or similar and just signing up for the free breakfast with no intention of paying for any stays.
Can't really blame them for shutting it down... I'm sure there are plenty of people Vendoming or similar and just signing up for the free breakfast with no intention of paying for any stays.
Maria Sangria
Level 51
Boo. Was looking to do this for upcoming trip in Vienna in the spring. Would have been easy with all of DH's work travel. Timing is everything.
Guilty as charged. Used my diamond challenge while in Tokyo and was hoping to get my gf to do the challenge for our upcoming SE Asia trip. Obviously not mad since it was too good to be true, but sad to see it go. and just upset at my bad timing.
I am not sure I understand the point of doing a challenge and not completing it unless one has lots of award nights lined up during that 2 months span. That's also a bit shortsighted IMHO unless one does not plan on travelling and/or staying with Hyatt at all.
Maybe one deliberately does multiple challenges... but that's a different story.
Other people argue that the DSU upgrades was too generous. It may be, but isn't that bringing more business to Hyatt? And if one is doing only award nights, then s/he cannot use those DSUs unless spending some cash.
I don't travel often and not often enough to maintain status with a chain. I did do the challenge before having a bunch of award nights lined up. But I completed my challenge and am more than happy to go out of my way to stay at Hyatt for the next 1-2 years even if that means paying a bit more. I probably had 20 nights this year including the challenge. In my case, I'd think that Hyatt gained from the challenge. This may not be the case for everyone though.
Maybe one deliberately does multiple challenges... but that's a different story.
Other people argue that the DSU upgrades was too generous. It may be, but isn't that bringing more business to Hyatt? And if one is doing only award nights, then s/he cannot use those DSUs unless spending some cash.
I don't travel often and not often enough to maintain status with a chain. I did do the challenge before having a bunch of award nights lined up. But I completed my challenge and am more than happy to go out of my way to stay at Hyatt for the next 1-2 years even if that means paying a bit more. I probably had 20 nights this year including the challenge. In my case, I'd think that Hyatt gained from the challenge. This may not be the case for everyone though.
I completed the Hyatt Diamond Challenge in May just before I had three Hyatt stays in Japan on points. My strategy was to get the receptions and breakfasts. I ended up getting a really nice upgrade in Kyoto and Hakone. In Tokyo I had booked a suite already on points but we also got spa access there. What I found out was how much I liked Hyatt and their points and cash program. And I have been leveraging gift card sales for my stays. I use the CC to buy 5K to save $500 and pay with the cards. This whole concept does not work as well for people who only want free stays, obviously. I did the same a few years back with the Marriott Platinum challenge. And unlike so many others, I do like Marriott and they have been good with me about upgrades. So, I would argue that I am loyal to all hotel groups and third party providers, but do make discretionary choices because of my status based on certain parameters. I was fortunate to get in on those two big challenges that are both now gone, I assume, because of overexposure and perk abuse. But, I also did not assume they would be around forever. I actually did the Hyatt one in the front end of the year instead of the second half because I was worried it would die because of the blogs and publicity at large frequent flier events. So my status runs through 2015 rather than 2016. Had I started it in May during my Japan trip, it would have lasted to 2016. But, I was concerned it might be gone. It wasn't, but now it is. But, guess what? I have renewed both statuses because of the challenges. And I do have more hotel stays than most, I realize...
I haven't seen this posted here yet, but according to the Boarding Area the challenge will return on January 1, 2015. I think the changes are fair. You no longer get status during the challenge (similar to SPG), but instead actually have to compete the challenge.
- You don’t need to have status with another chain to qualify.
- Sign up and get automatic Platinum status for 60 days.
- Stay 6 nights during that time and keep Platinum through February 2016.
- While doing this offer you’ll receive 1,000 bonus points for the first 6 nights.
- Stay 12 nights during that time and receive Diamond status through February 2016.