Business Travel Tips

Beginning March 15, 2012, Hyatt will no longer offer the option to earn miles for stays in four airline programs including Air Canada Aeroplan, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Frontier EarlyReturns and US Airways Dividend Miles.

Also, after March 15, 2012, Hyatt Gold Passport members will no longer be able to convert Hyatt Gold Passport points to miles with these airline programs.

STR Global released hotel performance data for January 2012.
The table below shows the three key performance metrics by region, year-on-year comparisons, for January 2012.

Below are highlights of key market performers for January 2012 (year-on-year measurements).

- Americas
Chicago, USA, reported the largest occupancy increase, +15.4% (to 47.4%) followed by Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) which recorded +8.4% (to 82.4%). Panama City, Panama, experienced the largest decrease in occupancy, -15.0% (to 55.4%).

- Asia Pacific
The largest increases in occupancy were recorded in Osaka, Japan, +10.0% (to 74.7%) and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, +10.0% (to 69.9%).

- Europe Prague, Czech Republic, +20.2% (to 45.4%), and Vilnius, Lithuania, +18.4% (to 44.9%) were the markets recording the largest occupancy increases. Athens, Greece, posted the largest occupancy decrease, -17.4% (to 36.6%).

- Middle East/Africa
The largest occupancy increase was recorded by Beirut, Lebanon, +32.0% (to 53.4%) followed by Amman, Jordan, +30.8% (to 64.7%), and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, +26.9% (to 74.0%).
Cairo, Egypt, was again the market recording the largest occupancy decrease in the region, -42.4% (to 36.4%).

Wyndham Rewards Hotel extended to March 12 its promotions for Northamerican and European members (original ending date was February 1).

“Gift Me Promotion” offers Wyndham Rewards members living the USA, Canada and Mexico the opportunity to earn over 20,000 bonus points with six hotel stays.
European Wyndham Rewards members can earn up to 30,000 bonus points after six stays.

Both promotions require that bookings be made by March 5 and stays completed by March 12, 2012.

Wyndham Rewards Hotel brands include: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Ramada, Days Inn, Super 8, Wingate by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites, Microtel Inns & Suites, Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, TRYP by Wyndham, Howard Johnson, Travelodge Knights Inn.
(Promotion details are available here).

Hyatt offers the chance to earn more Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points for incremental nights, between February 1 and April 30.

In order to earn these additional points, you have to register by March 31 and stay at any Hyatt hotel worldwide through April 30.

Below is an example of additional points members can earn with this promotion.
- 4 nights earns 4000 points
- 8 nights earns an additional 8000 points = 12,000 (Total Points Earned)
- 12 nights earns an additional 12,000 points = 24,000 (Total Points Earned)
- 16 nights earns an additional 20,000 points = 44,000 (Total Points Earned).
Members who also have a Hyatt Visa will earn an extra 25% bonus on top.
Details of the promotion are available here.

Ritz-Carlton Rewards members will earn one free night certificate if they complete 2 stays at participating Ritz-Carlton Hotels between February 1 and April 15, 2012.

In order to be eligible for the offer you must have been a member of Ritz-Carlton Rewards as of January 13, 2012 or a new member who has not been a member of of the Marriott Rewards program.

To qualify, you have to register or enroll in The Ritz-Carlton Rewards by March 1, 2012.

You may earn up to two free night certificates during the promotion — Feb 1 – Apr 15.
The free night certificate is valid for a Tier 1-3 Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Details of the promotion are available here.