Many of the Chase hotel cards offer a free night’s stay each year, upon your card member anniversary. For example, the Chase Hyatt Visa, offers 1 free night at any Category 1-4 property. The Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card offers 1 free night at any Category 1-5 property. The Chase IHG Rewards Club Select Credit Card offers 1 free night at any IHG hotel.
Currently, Rob is a Marriott and Hyatt card member and he was awarded an anniversary night on each card. (I canceled my Marriott card and my Hyatt card when the annual fees became due.) The Hyatt night was due to expire at the end of December of this past year and the Marriott night is due to expire February 28th of this year. Other than our school vacations, it is really hard for us to plan a 1 night get away because of our kids’ busy schedules. But how can I avoid these free nights going to waste?
First, I called Hyatt about asking for an extension and they told me they could only extend the expiration date by only 30 days. Not helpful! Next, I thought about transferring these free nights to my sister. But with both cards, the nights are not transferable. It says that in the terms.
So here is what I did for Hyatt. Shhh don’t tell. 🙂 I booked the award reservation at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City on the Hudson (A category 4 Hyatt–may as well go for the highest category offered) for a night in December. I added my sister as an additional guest staying in the room. Adding my sister as an additional guest, enables her to check in at the hotel. Her and her husband did just that. They checked in, and enjoyed their no-kids stay. Nobody even asked to see me.
I will likely do the same thing for the Marriott award. Will let you know!