It’s with no surprise that those in the “points game” have trust issues. Perhaps it’s because virtually every year, airlines and hotels decide to crack down on any excellent value their points previously offered, making it harder to derive great value. For years, Hyatt has been a staple of value and transparency, however they just announced a change, which could create a treacherous future…
The preeminent ViewFromTheWing, notes a troubling change in Hyatt’s T&C’s for their “World of Hyatt” loyalty program. Up until now-all Hyatt hotels fit into a category between 1 and 7, which signified how many points would be required for a free night. Category 7 represented the highest end, requiring 30,000 points per night, regardless of cash price and without blackout dates. Now that may not be the limit.
Hyatt recently introduced the Miraval “all inclusive” wellness resort as the newest Hyatt property. What was not realized at the time, was that Hyatt changed it’s terms and conditions to state that Hyatt, in it’s sole discretion can remove a hotel from the Category 1-7 system of points, allowing the brand to charge however many points per night it wishes, without changing the category chart. The Miraval for example now costs 45,000 points per night, shattering the previous limit of 30,000 points for a Hyatt property. Treacherous, indeed.
Basic points redemptions at standard hotels are likely in tact, but the higher end, aspirational stuff could be in trouble. Properties like the Park Hyatt New York, which fetch over $700 per night, the Park Hyatt Maldives which fetches $1000 a night, Park Hyatt Tokyo at $600 per night could easily lobby to be unrestrained by their current Category 6 or 7 designations. Grabbing a $700 a night hotel for just 30,000 points is presently a fantastic deal, and it’s not reaching to think that the property would love to cut that entry point off.
None of the hotels currently in the Hyatt 1-7 Categories have jumped ship, fear not. This is simply a change in their terms that could allow this. It could be a temporary move during peak season for an individual hotel, or a long term change. We won’t know until it happens, and hopefully, it will never happen. For now, earn and redeem your points as usual, but as always, earn and burn…
Your title was Hyatt has made a troubling change. But there was no change. WTF moron
Who’s the moron? They changed their terms and conditions and now one of their properties costs more than 30,000 points, the previous cap. Good luck in life.
This does not sound good. Hyatt has some great redemption options for it’s premium hotels so this will be troublesome. I would also be concerned that the All Inclusive hotels in Mexico and Jamaica will be hit with this higher level as well.
Agreed. You just never want to see an opportunity like that open up. Could be a one off thing for random resorts, but I agree- it could get dicey for some all inclusive and high end properties.
Another “non issue” blog. Do you really need readers that bad?
Geez get a life
my life is clearly more fulfilling than yours.
I would suppose your right, I work to pay and you whatever you do