World of Hyatt program changes have been coming at us fast and furious these past few weeks. As I say, Hyatt giveth and Hyatt taketh away. Rather than write multiple posts on each change I thought it best to have them here all in one place. As with all change and perceptions, how you view them depends on your lens. Let’s start with Hyatt’s “giveth” first.
As of Oct 26 New Veteran and Military Rates
Hyatt introduced a new U.S. veteran and military rate. Participating Hyatt hotels and resorts in the U.S. are offering individuals who have served or are currently serving in any official government-sponsored branch of the United States armed services, as well as their immediate family members, the Veteran and Military Rate, which is between 10% and 15% off the Hyatt standard rate when making a reservation via Hyatt.com or a Global Contact Center. Use offer code MILVET. This rate is eligible for earning World of Hyatt points. You will need to present a valid U.S. Veteran/ Military ID or other documented proof of military service upon check-in. This discount is valid for up to 2 guest rooms per stay. Here’s the link.
As of Oct 29 World of Hyatt Credit Card & Hyatt Credit Card Spend and Get Promotion
Hyatt, Chase and Visa launched a new promotion for credit cardmembers. Beginning November 1 to November 30, 2018, Cardmembers who spend $500 across multiple purchases on Telecomm (internet, phone, cable services), shipping, movie theaters and grocery stores in the U.S. on their World of Hyatt Credit Card or Hyatt Credit Card can earn a $25 statement credit on their Chase account.
From December 1 to December 31, 2018, cardmembers can earn a second $25 statement credit for spending $500 in qualifying transactions of the same spend category on their World of Hyatt Credit Card or Hyatt Credit Card.
Cardmembers must register here for the promotion with their World of Hyatt Credit Card or Hyatt Credit Card between October 29 and November 30, 2018 and spend $500 in qualifying transactions each month in order to qualify for both statement credits. Only two $25 statement credits can be earned per cardmember within the promotion period (one in each month), and they will appear in their Chase account within 6 to 8 weeks after meeting the $500 spend threshold each month.
As of November 1 New Member Rate Advance Purchase
World of Hyatt members will be able to take advantage of a new Member Rate Advance Purchase promotion at participating Hyatt hotels GLOBALLY. Beginning November 1, 2018, World of Hyatt members can save up to 20% at participating Hyatt hotels when booking at least seven days prior to their stay date. Members must book between November 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019, and have a check-out date of February 28, 2019 in order to take advantage of this new rate. Full prepayment is required at time of reservation and is nonrefundable.
Now let’s turn to the World of Hyatt program change that my lens views as Hyatt “taketh” away.
Little annoying changes like this one from Hyatt just make me laugh and shake my head.
Starting January 1, 2019, Globalist members will no longer receive two United Club℠ one-time passes upon achieving Globalist status. All existing passes will be honored through their expiration dates. You can continue to earn miles with United Airlines® for your Hyatt hotel stays and convert your World of Hyatt points to miles with MileagePlus®.
As of Nov 1 Points + Cash Standard Room Rates Change
Starting November 1, 2018, combining Points + Cash will require 50% of the points required for a free night and 50% of the Standard Rate. Previously a points + cash rate had a fixed cash amount no matter the standard room rate.
This is the big change everyone is talking about. For me, it’s a real gutting of the program’s best benefit. This past year I’ve stayed at Hyatt hotels in 7 different countries, so it was easy for me to go back and see the price difference on rooms. None of my stays when priced with this new change would have come out in my favor. Some would have been around $50 more but some would have been hundreds more. Those numbers would for sure have had me rethinking my hotel stays in terms of both hotel brand as well as how I paid. Over the years the points + cash option allowed me to stretch my Hyatt points and maximize their value. The unique value of this Hyatt program feature is gone. Here’s the old award chart.
Other changes to the World of Hyatt Program
There are other changes such as:
1. Using your points for free nights in premium suites.
2. Hyatt is eliminating the minimum length of stay for free nights in suites.
3. There are also changes to the points+ cash rates for suites and being able to use points for suite upgrades.
If any of these new changes are of interest to you, here’s where you can find out the details.
Bottom Line
Some of these new rates, like the Veteran/Military rate, are overdue and welcome additions to the program. The spend bonus is worth it if you’re putting spend on your Hyatt cards. The change to points+cash rates…….I’m sad to see you go! Any thoughts on all these WOH changes?
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