Analyzing Hyatt Diamond Benefits as a Prior Platinum

After starting my Hyatt Diamond Challenge this August, I’ve been really satisfied with the benefits Hyatt provides its top-tier elites. Since I know many of you have completed the Hyatt Diamond Challenge, or want to know what exactly this status provides, I wanted to do an analysis of my thoughts of the Hyatt Diamond Benefits.

---

 

Achieve rewards even faster with a 30% point bonus when choosing points

These points add up fast, and to receive a 30% bonus, it helps you get to free nights even faster. For example, the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque is only 5,000 Gold Passport points a night. Receiving a 30% bonus on your paid stays, you can stay at a place like the Hyatt Albuquerque even faster.

Enjoy the best room available upon arrival, excluding suites

I’ve had really good experience with this benefit, and though it excludes suites, most of the full-service Hyatt’s I’ve stayed at have included an upgrade to a suite. I enjoyed my suite at the Hyatt Regency Miami, and also experienced a nice corner suite at the Hyatt Fair Oaks in Fairfax, VA. While this benefit isn’t necessarily guaranteed, I think you’ll find upgrades to suites more often than not, subject to availability.

Receive exclusive access to the Regency Club or Grand Club lounge featuring complimentary continental breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres. Enjoy daily complimentary full breakfast in hotels without a club lounge.

Having a place to go for free drinks at night is great, since it saves a late night run to a 7-11 or similar convenience store. While Regency/Grand Clubs may not necessarily be the nicest, I’ve found them to include a nice selection of food in the morning and evenings. For hotels where full service breakfast is offered in the restaurant, you can usually order anything off of the menu, which is very generous.

Treat yourself to a suite upgrade at the time of reservation four times annually on eligible paid nights.

By far, I think this is one of the most valuable perks of Diamond membership. I’m using an upgrade certificate on a stay at the Andaz Amsterdam, and have plans to use additional certificates at other properties, too. While it’s only available on paid stays, it’s worth noting that cash + points stays count toward this benefit.

Receive a special welcome point bonus or food and beverage amenity during each stay.

I usually choose the point bonus, since it is 1,000 points at a full-service Hyatt, or 500 points at a Hyatt Place/Hyatt House. If I’m particularly hungry, I may go for the welcome amenity, but considering free points add up fast, especially for properties that only require 5,000 points a night, I would go for the free points, when offered.

Receive a nightly room refresh.

This varies by hotel, but I’ve never found this particularly useful, or regular. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t.

Receive the confirmed bed type at check-in.

I’ve never not received the confirmed bed type at time of purchase, so this is again another perk that’s not particularly useful to me.

Stay connected with complimentary in-room Internet access.

You’ll receive this benefit with Hyatt Platinum status, and for a top-tier elite not to receive free internet would just be downright confusing.

Expedite check-in at a dedicated area for elite members.

At full service Hyatt’s, generally there is a priority line for Diamond members. Sometimes this lane can be crowded, so keep your eye out on the regular line since sometimes it is shorter.

Ensure a room is always available with our 48-hour guarantee.

At most hotels, there is a 48 hour guarantee where they will always have a room available for Diamond members. Be warned that the rates of this guaranteed room are typically very expensive, and much more expensive than what the daily rate would be.

Extend your stay until 4:00 p.m. with a late check out request.

I’ve used this benefit lots, and it comes in handy particularly when you have an evening flight to depart, but don’t want to check-out of your room and have your bags stored. This is another very valuable benefit that I appreciate greatly.

Book reservations through an exclusive Diamond line.

Generally, I found the Platinum line agents to answer very quickly, but the Diamond agents answer just as fast. It’s useful to have a guaranteed line, but something that I haven’t seen to be very useful over what I had as a Platinum.