I wanted to take a minute today to share today an update about Camp Mom, some Hyatt news, and the single best value in Ultimate Rewards.
Let’s go!
I mentioned in my last Camp Mom update that I realized after the fact that our visit to Paris occurred over Bastille Day. This immediately changed my hotel focus from “walkable to attractions” to “Eiffel Tower View”. I’m more than willing to trade a few Carnets (metro tickets) for a pleasant Bastille day fireworks experience.
Living in Washington DC for many July 4ths, I have seen firsthand how many families underestimate the stress attending the fireworks puts on children. You have to get there HOURS early to stake out a spot, put up with crowds you just can’t imagine, and fight these same crowds on public transportation back to your hotel. Did I mention the lack of public bathrooms? Add to this toxic stew the fact that the fireworks in Paris won’t start until 11PM due to its later sunset and I KNEW we wanted to be watching them from our hotel room window!
Here’s where the hot off the presses Hyatt news comes in: new to the Hyatt portfolio is the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, formerly the Concorde Hotel de la Fayette, which at 34 stories is among the tallest buildings in Paris. Etoile/La Defense wasn’t my first choice as a location when I wanted “walkable” (it’s about a 20 min. walk to the Arc de Triomphe). It is right across the street from a Metro, though, and an amazing choice for views as 1/2 of their 950 rooms face the Eiffel.
You can book an Eiffel Tower view room, or take a chance and hope you get an upgrade. I didn’t do either, but for the cash equivalent of $20 a night I’m GUARANTEED a 34th floor club level suite with one of the best views in all of Paris. The suite includes full buffet breakfast and afternoon tea as well!
Here’s how to get the single best value I’ve ever redeemed in the Hyatt (and by association the Chase Ultimate Rewards) program: get the base level room at the daily rate for multiple nights and use the 6,000 point suite upgrade.
My math examples for this trip:
The cost of the room I’m guaranteed.
(Remember this is Paris over Bastille Day, people are paying this!)
The rate I am actually paying.
The net savings is $949.47 over three nights, or a redemption value of 15.8 cents per Ultimate Rewards point! I can’t imagine myself getting a better value for Ultimate Rewards points.
Yes, this way I am paying for the room (I had hoped I would be able to get it for free), but to give my children–and who am I kidding, myself–the chance to see the fireworks alight the Eiffel Tower from a private vantage point almost as high as the tower itself? That’s a bill I’ll gladly pay.
Great minds think alike 🙂
I’m starting to think of Hyatt as my preferred Ultimate Rewards transfer option as well: http://first2board.com/foodwineandmiles/2013/04/30/are-hotel-points-more-valuable-than-airline-miles/
Thanks! In general, I agree with your math. If you’re looking for some Starwood steals, check out the Fuereteventura (Canary Islands) and there’s this Sheraton just outside Madrid (forget the name) that’s a former Monastery that just dropped to a Cat 2 that looks AMAZING.
Deal Mommy, this is the best deal everrrr!
Thanks! Great seeing you this weekend.
Brilliant! I didn’t realize that there was a new Hyatt in Paris. And one with such great views!
Hi Denise,
There are actually two! There is also the Hotel de Louvre, closer to the Vendome. It could be a bargain in points redemption for actual stays as it books at 18000/night. For me, though, the 159Euro rate is a STEAL with the suite upgrade.
Can you explain why you think you need a King Executive instead of a queen room? Forget the markup that they put on this ‘upgrade’ where is the intrinsic value here?
Hi Matt,
Yes, I can in this specific case (and I hear you as entitlement is a beef of mine in the points community: see this post). 1.This is a “bucket list” experience so I’m willing to blow it out for the guaranteed high floor private view. 2. I’m traveling with my 2 kids, which in Europe generally requires either someone to sleep on the floor or a suite. 3. It’s not as clear in the screenshot, but the king room is 44sqm vs. 22sqm for the queen: literally twice the size. 4. Breakfast and snacks are included: again, not worth $300, but certainly worth $20 for 3 people!
Hi,
I was wondering if you had a hard time finding hotel rooms for 3 people. I have been researching a trip to Italy for my family of four and it seems that most of the major hotels (aka where I can use points) only allow 2 people per room. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi Sarah and YES!!!
A number of thoughts:
1. Club Carlson family (business class) rooms generally book at 1.5x. We’re using this feature in Belfast. Especially good deal if you have the CC Card as you get one night free for every reward night you book. 2. Priority Club often has family rooms. 3. Choice Rooms book last minute (30-60 days or less) at 8k a night so you could book two cheaply. Transfer from AMEX. 4. Doing what I just did working backwards with Hyatt (IE booking for one paid, upgrading to a suite with points, adding the kids later once you have a room with space to accommodate them.)
Lastly, two options that are paid but that I am using for my month in Europe this summer because they came out so much cheaper for this trip: condo rentals and Family Getaway. Family Getaway in particular has some crazy good packages in Italy I would consider. Good luck and let me know what you find!
Thanks Deal Mommy for this WONDERFUL idea. We plan on being in Paris visiting family next summer. Wouldn’t it be nice if I can get a room for that evening, and invite every one over for the firework?
Oh, did I say, the hotel is a cat-4 redemption reward, redeemable via chase hyatt annual free night?
This is just too good.
There you go…so glad to see this! I must say, I was surprised to see it at 159 euro so close to the city considering how crazy high the other Hyatts are. Here’s how I would play it: Book a couple of paid nights (make sure Bastille day is paid), use the Suite upgrade on points, then throw in your free night at the end of the stay. The chances of them moving you are nil.
Oh? Why will they move me? I was thinking just using the annual free night from chase hyatt to get it. When I visit Paris, I stay with family anyways. But It was a great suggestion nontheless. Never thought about that.
They generally don’t let you use point suite upgrades on free nights, only paid, but if you start with a paid night on night one, generally they bundle the stay into one and 90% of the time you’ll end up in a suite the whole stay. Alternatively, you can book the free room and call the hotel directly and try to book a paid upgrade. You can also just try to sweet-talk yourself into an Eiffel tower view room…you’ve got a 50/50 shot!
I see what you mean! I forgot about how the room with a Tower view is gonna cost more. Once the date is bookable, I will try to snatch it. As far as sweet talk.. ha, I did that with a free night in Park Hyatt Maldives once. Haha. Thanks for the pointers.
I only see that the lowest level rooms are King and the daily rate is $411. Do you need to call to do the suite upgrade with points?
Hi Karen, The lower rooms may be already sold out. You call Hyatt to do the suite upgrade, but do it before the end of the year, because they’re changing their policy and this sweet spot is going away and it’s going to be per night and not per stay anymore!