WHAT DIFFERENTIATES HYATT GOLD PASSPORT FROM OTHER HOTEL LOYALTY PROGRAMS?

Hyatt’s mission is to provide authentic hospitality and to make a difference in the lives we touch every day. One of the primary tools that we have to drive this mission is the Hyatt Gold Passport program

The program was recently re-launched to provide additional focus on our most valuable guests. Hyatt Gold Passport was the first loyalty program to offer complimentary Internet to all elitetier members globally. In addition, Gold Passport offers industry-leading benefits for our Diamond Members, including four annual suite upgrades at time of reservation and complimentary full breakfast at hotels without a club lounge. Finally, the Hyatt Gold Passport award chart offers great value, and our members can redeem their points for incredible properties around the world for as little as 5,000 points and no more than 22,000 points.

For 2009 and 2010, Hyatt Gold Passport was recognized as the best elite hotel program in both the Americas and the Middle East/Asia by the Frequent Traveler Awards. No hotel program has won more Frequent Traveler Awards for its elite program than Hyatt Gold Passport.

RE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS REGARDING REDEMPTIONS?

Hyatt Gold Passport members can redeem their points for any available standard room with no blackout dates. All of our properties around the world participate and welcome members to redeem for free nights every day of the year. So whether it’s Aruba in December or Paris in March, Hyatt Gold Passport members can find incredible opportunities to see the world. In addition, points can be used for room upgrades or exchanged for airline miles.

HOW HAS THE PROGRAM GROWN SINCE ITS INCEPTION? WHAT CHANGES ARE IN THE WORKS?

Hyatt Gold Passport has grown tremendously and now has approximately 12 million members worldwide. In the last five years, we have nearly doubled our membership. Many of our new members reside outside of North America, and we are particularly focused on growing our membership in China and India.

We are passionate about innovation and providing our members with the recognition and rewards they deserve. In late July, we launched some changes that will be appreciated by our Diamond members, and we are working on other enhancements for 2012.

TELL OUR READERS ABOUT YOUR CAREER IN THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.

I began in 1993 at American Airlines, where I held positions spanning finance, product development, sales, marketing and loyalty. It was at American that I developed a true passion for loyalty marketing, as it combines the power of data and emotion. I left American to spend some time at Google, where I worked with travel suppliers to market their products and services across the spectrum of Google products. I joined Hyatt in 2008 to take the Hyatt Gold Passport program to new heights. It’s been an incredible experience, and I truly love working with both our members and our associates to drive brand preference and deliver an outstanding hospitality experience.