Hyatt Corporation announced today that it is again offering the successful Faster Free Nights promotion in partnership with MasterCard. The Faster Free Nights promotion allows Hyatt Gold Passport members to earn unlimited free nights at Hyatt hotels and resorts worldwide from October 1, 2002 through February 28, 2003 when they pay for their stay with MasterCard. Touted as “the best hotel promotion of 2002” by Inside Flyer Magazine, Hyatt introduced Faster Free Nights in April with overwhelming positive reviews from the travel industry and customers.

With Faster Free Nights, Hyatt Gold Passport members are awarded with a free night after every two stays when paying with any MasterCard. Members can redeem their free nights from November 1, 2002 through April 30, 2003. These awards are provided in addition to the Gold Passport points that members can earn on each Hyatt stay.

“We wanted to create a rewarding promotion that would allow our customers to accumulate and redeem free nights quickly and easily,” said Amy Weyman, vice president of Gold Passport and marketing systems for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “The positive feedback we received from our customers was so fantastic we knew we had to offer the promotion again in the fall. We are looking forward to working with MasterCard to bring Faster Free Nights to its cardholders. Our organizations share a joint commitment to bringing customers more flexibility and rewarding benefits,” added Weyman.

“We are extremely pleased to team with Hyatt for the fall Faster Free Nights promotion, which will now extend exclusive new benefits to MasterCard cardholders traveling with Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world,” said Fred Gore, senior vice president of North America Acceptance at MasterCard International. “Our strategic alliance with Hyatt is a key component of MasterCard`s T&E strategy to deliver to our cardholders the best travel values.”

There is no limit to the number of free nights that members can earn. Free nights can be redeemed easily at any participating Hyatt worldwide. Awards are available electronically (on-line) and are paperless. Gold Passport, Hyatt`s worldwide frequent guest program is free to join. Current Gold Passport members must sign up to participate via www.goldpassport.com or phoning 1-800-51-HYATT. New members who join Gold Passport as of September 12 will automatically be signed up to participate in the promotion.

Currently, there are 205 Hyatt hotels and resorts around the world. Hyatt Corporation and its affiliates manage, franchise or operate 123 hotels and resorts in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. Affiliates of Hyatt International Corporation manage, franchise or operate 82 hotels and resorts in 39 countries. In the U.S., Hyatt worldwide reservations for individuals and groups can be reached at 1-800-233-1234. Outside the U.S., contact the local Hyatt sales office or representative. For more information about Hyatt hotels and resorts, visit Hyatt on the Internet at www.hyatt.com.

MasterCard International has a comprehensive portfolio of well-known, widely accepted payment brands including MasterCard®, Cirrus® and Maestro®. More than 1.7 billion MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro logos are present on credit, charge and debit cards in circulation today. A corporation with more than 15,000 member financial institutions, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses, both large and small, in 210 countries and territories. MasterCard is a leader in quality and innovation, offering a wide range of payment solutions in the virtual and traditional worlds. MasterCards award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 90 countries and in 45 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. With more than 28 million acceptance locations, no payment card is more widely accepted globally than MasterCard. For the six months ended June 30, 2002, gross dollar volume exceeded US$534 billion. MasterCard can be reached through its website at http://www.mastercard.com

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