It’s okay, Hyatt. I still love you. In fact, thank you.
This may be a very unpopular viewpoint, but the Hyatt “updates” announced yesterday (really big news in the points and miles community) are totally okay with me. They don’t upset me at all.
Why?
Well, I gotta say, I am still very grateful to be able to redeem points for free nights at some of the best hotels in the world. If it costs me an additional 8,000 points a night, so be it. Before I discovered how to earn/use points and miles, most of these hotels would have been way outside my budget. Now, they are well within my reach, and I think that is amazing.
For your reference, a few details of the updated award chart are as follows:
- the updates go into effect on January 7, 2014
- with the updates, you will need more points for award stays in Category 5 and 6 hotels
- Hyatt is also adding a 7th category to the chart which includes six Park Hyatt hotels in Beaver Creek, Milan, Paris, Sydney, Tokyo and Zurich, and requires 30,000 points per night.
- using points for suite upgrades (on paid stays) will cost more points. A lot more, in fact. With the old program, you could use 6,000 points for up to 4 nights in a suite. With the new program, you’ll need 6,000 points per night.
- there are probably more changes and details that I’m not including here. If you are really curious, or furious, you should probably get the details from the horse’s mouth, or find solace in a thread on Flyertalk or on another blog.
Here is a look at both charts (old and new) so you can see for yourself:
Sure, it’s a bummer that we’ll need more points for a free night. But in my world, it’s still a free night. So I just can’t get all worked up about this one.
In other words: thank you, Hyatt, for all the free nights, the wonderful service, the fabulous amenities and for providing me with the opportunity to take my family on vacation for (almost) free. I think you’re great, and I still love you. xo.
Does anyone else out there agree with me?
that is idiotic. you are begging for more negative changes. you are new to the game so grateful for being able to spend 40% more points. smart.
Take it easy, Tom! Would you say that to her face? No need to get nasty. I doubt, Hyatt cares what any of us think, to be honest. Use your points or lose them.
leana – Clearly you understood my post 🙂
I agree with you! I find it funny to hear people complain when they are sitting there hoarding points. People running around buying thousands of Vanilla Reload cards, spending all their days accruing millions of points, and then they complain where there is a devaluation. Part of the reason the points get devalued is because so many people have so many points. People need to spend less time gaming the system and more time actually using and enjoying their points. I never keep more than a few thousand points in all my accounts because I am out there USING THEM UP when I get the chance. Yeah, all devaluations are annoying, but in reality if it now takes 30,000 points instead of 22,000 points to stay at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, that’s ok. I never would have been able to book a cash stay there anyway.
Dave – EXACTLY.
Yes, I agree with you! Its pointless to stress over such things. Plus, the Hyatt card bonus still comes with 2 free nights anywhere, as far as I know. I plan to get it at some point. My dream is to use it for Hyatt Sydney. But realistically speaking, it probably will be Hyatt Clearwater USA. Still free though!
leana – yes, STILL FREE 🙂
Ditto. “Enhancements” always bring me down, however I think we all saw this coming.
In comparison to the other programs, Hyatt was reasonable in the communication and overall program details.
Freddy – Agree. I still love Hyatt. I think they are generous and VERY reasonable.
It’s a mixed bag. For every person out there gaming the system buying Vanilla reloads, etc., there are probably 10+ people legitimately earning points through hotel stays and legitimate credit card purchases. We do have to hold Hyatt accountable to a certain point– there credit card business w/ Chase is undoubtedly very profitable for Gold Passport, and ultimately whenever there is a devaluation, we have to ask ourselves, is it still worth it to use a company’s co-branded credit card, or is it a better deal to just get a cash back card (i.e. one of the ones these days that effectively offers 2% back)? Hyatt’s Visa card was never a great proposition for everyday spending, and I think this devaluation only furthers that.
DWT – Good points. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you for the ability to use points or Thank you for raising the points required for redemption? Obviously a big difference.
Patrick – Thank you for the ability to use points 😉
I am so new to the game that I really am not sure what my opinion is on this one, but I feel like I am learning and I do love a heated exchange of ideas. Keep those comments coming point whores and hoarders!
Hottie – Ha ha!
It is a false choice being presented; it is not a matter of raise prices or cancel the program entirely. Between those two choices the Hyatt devaluation is certainly better than losing the Gold Passport program completely, but that’s a far different outcome than claiming it is actually a good thing for customers who have accumulated the points and are looking to redeem. Mostly because there was virtually no chance that they were simply going to fold up Gold Passport and move on.
There are some decent things associated with the changes, things which Hyatt did right. But saying that raising rates is a good thing for us as travelers seems quite a stretch.
Wandering – Yeah, luckily that’s totally not what I’m saying 🙂
I think it’s important to keep these things in perspective. This is SUCH a first-world problem. Personally, I’m really grateful that the Hyatt Gold Passport program exists and that I am able to redeem points for free nights. I realize that this devaluation seems like a very major problem for some people. I am just not one of them.
The Hyatt program is a steal and I agree with the posters who say this was inevitable. Bottom line, it’s a game. Whether you are a hoarder or legit traveler, its to some degree a game. I was hoping to book Grand Hyatt Hawaii before the redemption rules changes and looks like I missed it. All good sport! I can still show some gratitude for the Hyatt program even though its no longer stacked in my favor. 🙂
Jane – You can still book future stays until January 7! You’ve got time!
And I like your great attitude.
I’m grateful for the opportunity just to participate in these programs, if point rates go up, so be it. I’m just appreciative these options exist. First world problem indeed!
Yes, you hit it right on the head. A “first world problem” indeed.
We are not currently looking for food and shelter for our children because of a typhoon.