Hyatt Gold Passport - Should non-NA GP members ask for a lower requalifying threshold?

The majority of my stays at Hyatt properties is outside North America. That already says a lot that it is very difficult to find many Hyatt properties in Europe. And the average rates outside North America are typically 2-3x more expensive than the ones in USA. Most european properties like London, Paris, Zurich can charge over US$500 a night..(and that's the low side).

Do you think HY should have a different threshold for elite requalification for non-US/Canada members?

Am only at 8 stays this year and am finding it difficult to find anymore places to stay. SPG has one up in that they allow award stays / cash+points stays to count toward requalification...

I think it would be nice if something could be done for the non-US members to balance out the inequities that the Hyatt Credit Card has introduced, but I don't know how I'd go about doing that.

Do you think HY should have a different threshold for elite requalification for non-US/Canada members?

No.

just speculating, but i'm foreseeing a lot of address changes if this becomes true... :D

GPP never really enforced the 25/50 threshold for members residing in Europe, so at least inofficially there is already a slightly lower barrier. Several colleagues were granted another year of Diamond memebership in recent years, as long as their stay counter was at 2X...

I'm not so sure anything can be done easily with the Diamond level, except introducing the amount spent as a Diamond threshold.

But what really annoys me is that the only remaining other status level you get "for free" in the US and still have to spend quite a lot if you live outside the US. And you also miss out on the 2 free nights. And the benefits are nothing really...

Not uncommon in loyalty programs since most US credit cards give you better benefits than those outside the US (if they exist at all).

Hyatt Place is expanding to Europe.

Be careful what you ask for ...

Personally, I think you are asking the wrong question. How about qualification by spend level in addition to stays/nights? And no, I don't mean in place of, I mean as a different criteria. ie, you can make diamond by any one of the following methods:

1. 25 stays
2. 50 nights
3. $xxxx total spend on room rates only in one calendar year.

Anyway, we always get one of these threads every so often.

-David

The majority of my stays at Hyatt properties is outside North America. That already says a lot that it is very difficult to find many Hyatt properties in Europe. And the average rates outside North America are typically 2-3x more expensive than the ones in USA. Most european properties like London, Paris, Zurich can charge over US$500 a night..(and that's the low side).

Do you think HY should have a different threshold for elite requalification for non-US/Canada members?

Am only at 8 stays this year and am finding it difficult to find anymore places to stay. SPG has one up in that they allow award stays / cash+points stays to count toward requalification...

While I understand your frustration, why should this be any different for a US member who wants to achieve status with a non-US based program with few properties in the US?

Interesting question, however it simply will not happen. I stay mainly at Park Hyatts, however my nights/stays are viewed as of no more value in terms of elite status than someone who frequents a Hyatt Place.

Hyatt is aware of its lack of footprint outside the US, but it remains your choice to chase elite status with Hyatt, *wood or Hilton. With only 8 stays at half way through the year, you should be asking if Hyatt is the correct program for you.

BA, as far as I'm aware, is an anomaly with their different re-qualification for UK and non UK residents. Interestingly, Australian residents cannot join BA as part of the joint service agreement with QF.

GPP never really enforced the 25/50 threshold for members residing in Europe, so at least inofficially there is already a slightly lower barrier. Several colleagues were granted another year of Diamond memebership in recent years, as long as their stay counter was at 2X...

never heard of this "agreement".... :-(

they always pointed out 50 nights / 25 stays...


btw. it would be interesting in how far GP will read this and transfer this message....

as a european member and not having stayed yet at one hyatt in the US, i am kind of annoyed at the 1K per stay extra points, the + 3 GP/ usd you can get with the credit card. not only mentionning the 2 suite nights you get.

Would love to see the 1K global or the reinstatement of G2's, and would not mind to see a point accelerator for members not having the credit card and not residing in the USA : pay 100-150 USD/yrs and get an extra 3 GP / usd spent at hyatts.

Talking about G2's: It would seem that a couple properties offering a 2K points promo as of late, not many but a start in the right direction!

and if Hyatt could have some points promo in oct-dec, based on nights would love it as i will have over 75 nights in asian properties, i would be extremely happy...

Hyatt should implement a spend level qualification scheme. Spend is the great equalizer.

Hilton grants Diamond status with $10,000 spend at Hilton Properties. IMO this level of spend seems a little low but maybe it could be combined with a 30 night requirement.

It is a bit disgusting thinking about someone swiping their Hyatt Chase Card at 25 HP's generating < $2,000 in spend qualifying for Diamond.

would not mind to see a point accelerator for members not having the credit card and not residing in the USA

Or maybe something like spend more than $350 a night and get a 2 night stay credit..... since these would only count towards qualifying for status it would hardly cost them a thing.

And they are doing the opposite already with stays on points not counting and the "free" night in the FreeTime offer also not counting.

Unofficially, revenue is taken into account. I have been upgraded to Diamond in the past and been below 25 stays/ 50 nights. All stays were at upscale/high-end international properties.

Residency is not important, as what matters is where people actually stay. There are high-end properties in America, as well as others that may not be high end but are still expensive. There are also dirt cheap international properties, so location doesn't necessarily say anything about revenue.

The (lack of) Hyatt footprint also makes it difficult for some North American people to get enough stays and nights. It's even worse when you try to avoid bad Hyatt Place and unrenovated atrium properties.

The majority of my stays at Hyatt properties is outside North America. That already says a lot that it is very difficult to find many Hyatt properties in Europe. And the average rates outside North America are typically 2-3x more expensive than the ones in USA. Most european properties like London, Paris, Zurich can charge over US$500 a night..(and that's the low side).

Do you think HY should have a different threshold for elite requalification for non-US/Canada members?

Am only at 8 stays this year and am finding it difficult to find anymore places to stay. SPG has one up in that they allow award stays / cash+points stays to count toward requalification...



Absolutely, guybestsy, I agree with you.

PS: If you need help with 60 $ check-ins in Europe, send me pm and I can do check in for you this and next weekend (including gp483 bonus = 2000 points per stay)

Not sure why everyone thinks that anyone who has the Hyatt card is doing activity that might qualify them for a status they would not otherwise have.

Husband and I both have the Hyatt CC, only real spend we make on it is when we stay at Hyatt. Number of MR done in the past 3 years - zero. Why spend money doing a MR to a HP when you can use the difference to buy the benefits you want when you do a real stay?

Not sure why everyone thinks that anyone who has the Hyatt card is doing activity that might qualify them for a status they would not otherwise have.

Husband and I both have the Hyatt CC, only real spend we make on it is when we stay at Hyatt. Number of MR done in the past 3 years - zero. Why spend money doing a MR to a HP when you can use the difference to buy the benefits you want when you do a real stay?


Because non-US-citicens don't get the Hyatt credit card. That's why!

If HY thought that they could demand US $500 per night, don't you think that they would? Further, North America is HY's principal market, especially when the HP's are included in the equation.

Given these two facts, as a North American Diamond member for several years and a GP member since at least the early 80's, I would be disappointed if a two tier status were created where status could also be based on a guest's spending level.

BTW, my experience is that HP properties deliver good value.

Absolutely, guybestsy, I agree with you.

PS: If you need help with 60 $ check-ins in Europe, send me pm and I can do check in for you this and next weekend (including gp483 bonus = 2000 points per stay)

Umm. . .you do realize that Hyatt can figure out your information and do an audit, right? :rolleyes: as far as qualifying because you are outside Hyatt footprint I am with others perhaps HyAtt isn't the program for you if there aren't Hyatts where you travel.

.... nothings ever good enough.

While I understand your frustration, why should this be any different for a US member who wants to achieve status with a non-US based program with few properties in the US?

Like which one, Shangri-la Gold Circle?
I wouldn't consider them 'major' but Hyatt is. Besides the issue i have is with GP. If the Person that has an issue with the other non-US programme , then It will be addressed.

I am addressing this as a GP member since 90s and moving close to 11 yers as Diamond now. In fact, I think I'm close to being Dm for life .. Just about $20k more... If GP has been a bit more transparent in offering lifetime membership, I think I would have been by now.

I just surpassed lifetime Gold at Starwood and working towards lifetime Plat. Starwood simply has better and more properties in europe than Hyatt.

All on my own dime and not thru expenses.

It's just a wish..what I posted. Just wondering if it's plausible..

I guess not.

I have suggested this a couple of times in the past - the a) stay 50 nights, b) stay 25 times or c) spend $xx000.

There are changes coming up in HGP (although I have no idea what they are), but maybe this will be one of them.

I have suggested this a couple of times in the past - the a) stay 50 nights, b) stay 25 times or c) spend $xx000.

That's only a step away from being able to buy status. Programs such as HGP were ostensibly tailored to support people that frequently use their facilities, but I think that implementing c would turn it into a club for rich people, resulting in a service that caters to the rich traveler over the frequent traveler.

It is a bit disgusting thinking about someone swiping their Hyatt Chase Card at 25 HP's generating < $2,000 in spend qualifying for Diamond.

Unless of course someone is the owner of a Hyatt Place....

That's only a step away from being able to buy status. Programs such as HGP were ostensibly tailored to support people that frequently use their facilities, but I think that implementing c would turn it into a club for rich people, resulting in a service that caters to the rich traveler over the frequent traveler.

It's only the same as lifetime diamond status requiring $200,000 spend. It would be the same as Hilton Honors. I would suggest $15000-20000 spend I.e. 75000-100000 base points per year. It just gives another option. We struggle to get 50 nights (although usually have over 40) but 20-30% of these are $800/night and another 40-50% are $350. It is harder to get a lot of says or nights in parts of the World where there are fewer properties and nights cost more because it doesn't allow for mattress runs.

Spending would be a great criteria and I really hope this comes.
20k would be allright and surely prevent people with sane minds from "buying" status.

If GP continues the actual way, they will surely loose a lot of loyal and non-customers who bring a lot of revenue in the next years.
Footprint is one thing and absolutely company policy and interest, but bashing non-US members with the CC, furthermore C promotions, and the ongoing "1k Diamond points only-in-the-US" is too much.
I hope the will react soon, if not I will also make my decisions. And surely not only me...

I can't understand how a company favours the low revenue US Hyatts over the upscale international properties. The percentage GP needs to spend for e.g. lousy 1k bonuspoints is maybe a little bit less at properties at like Paris/Maldives etc. which are around 10x as expensive as most HP.

Unofficially, revenue is taken into account. I have been upgraded to Diamond in the past and been below 25 stays/ 50 nights. All stays were at upscale/high-end international properties.

Residency is not important, as what matters is where people actually stay. There are high-end properties in America, as well as others that may not be high end but are still expensive. There are also dirt cheap international properties, so location doesn't necessarily say anything about revenue.

Well, I would not say that it is unimportant, but residing outside of the US, especially in certain countries gives you a head start, when it comes to actual spending...

Taking Germany into account, one has to pay between $ 250-300 per night for regular week day stays at every Hyatt, if not more.

So with just 6-8 nights on weekdays in Germany, one easily matches the revenue of a '25 stays Hyatt Place guy from Atlanta'

It will be interesting to see inhowfar the competition reacts on the latest benefit of the Hilton CC In Germany. Within the last weeks, more or less every Hilton CC holder in Germany was informed about the fact that he will never drop below HH Gold, as long as he holds the Hilton CC.

As we all know, in Western Europe we do not really believe in credit card debt, therefore launching a credit card in Western Europe is probably not really worth it and will not happen. Not even SPG offers a CC here with a significantly bigger footprint, despite the fact that DKB co-operates with more or less everyone ;):D

Lufthansa's CC is having the competition as an appetizer for lunch as well...

The majority of my stays at Hyatt properties is outside North America. That already says a lot that it is very difficult to find many Hyatt properties in Europe. And the average rates outside North America are typically 2-3x more expensive than the ones in USA. Most european properties like London, Paris, Zurich can charge over US$500 a night..(and that's the low side).

Do you think HY should have a different threshold for elite requalification for non-US/Canada members?

Am only at 8 stays this year and am finding it difficult to find anymore places to stay. SPG has one up in that they allow award stays / cash+points stays to count toward requalification...

Thank you for opening this interesting and dedicated thread about Hyatt Gold Passport Membership levels and qualification criterias.

IMHO you ask the false question! :o

In the first years of the Gold Passport programme even the entry level "Gold" was accompanied with a vast range of benefits and services. They were not a random or unpublished perk but were really delivered.

These were:
+ a complimentary, additional room service continental breakfast directly delivered to your room
+ the allocation of the best room within the chosen room category and
+ the extension of check-out time whenever possible
+ the non-restriction of the really great 3,000 and 6,000 points upselling awrads to Club/Suite on nearly full rates

If I look on the actual information at the website I don´t see anything like this now.

So the thing you should really ask for is more services for the Gold level and not a hidden path to the next leven

I could imagine many services which would really enhance the benefits for the customers. So the simpliest way to deliver greater value would be the reinstallmant of these benefits of the 90s. ;)

Then it would be a greater programme. I am completely indifferent which colour my membership card has.

The Gold Passport customers qualify for this service due to choosing the properties theirselves and not being guided to the hotels by the hotel search engines and the cheapest offer. So the best way would be to deliver service and feel every member welcomed.

And to be consistent in what is offered an how the upselling reward 3,000/6,000 is honoured. In my next to last use of the suite voucher no suite but only a grand room was delivered.

So consistency and service priority should be delivered. And no games with qualification threshholds or giving away status just for applying for a credit card. :p

I thnk revenue would be a fair solution. For example, one 10 night stay at the Conrad Rangali makes you usually Hilton Diamond and you do not have to bother about status anymore.

As the fight for upgrades is getting harder all the time, I really don't see any reason why someone, staying all the time at the cheapest Hyatt Places in the US gets the Diamond after exact the same 25 stay like someone staying in high end GH / PH Properties in Europe, Asia or Middle East.

If they don't want to count it per revenue, they also could introduce some type of "booking-classes" for the Hotels.
Like:

Hyatt Place: x 0,25 or 0,5
Hyatt Regency USA, GH USA: x 1,0
GH/PH Asia x 1,5 - 2,0
PH Paris, Mos ow, Zurich: x 2,0 - x 3,0

Same would be a good solution for *wood. St. Regis is not aLoft.

Just a suggestion:

aLoft / 4 Points: x 0,5
Sheraton, LM, Westin: x 1,0
W (outside US) x 1,5
LC / St. Regis: x 2,0

I thnk revenue would be a fair solution. For example, one 10 night stay at the Conrad Rangali makes you usually Hilton Diamond and you do not have to bother about status anymore.

If they don't want to count it per revenue, they also could introduce some type of "booking-classes" for the Hotels.
Like:

Hyatt Place: x 0,25 or 0,5
Hyatt Regency USA, GH USA: x 1,0
GH/PH Asia x 1,5 - 2,0
PH Paris, Mos ow, Zurich: x 2,0 - x 3,0

Same would be a good solution for *wood. St. Regis is not aLoft.

Just a suggestion:

aLoft / 4 Points: x 0,5
Sheraton, LM, Westin: x 1,0
W (outside US) x 1,5
LC / St. Regis: x 2,0

It appears that they have an unpublished revenue qualification criteria in place. I wouldn't mind it if they published the criteria however, I would assume something like $20k spend for Diamond status.

IMO, your structure doesn't work. Just 2 examples. I've paid $250 at a Hyatt house (presumably in your structure the same multiplier as Hyatt Place) while the GH Bangkok is routinely just under $200. Same argument with SPG - Westin in San Francisco is routinely around $200 while the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (LC) is also around $200.

Besides, we all know the difficulties with Hyatt tech - to go with a completely new structure is looking for trouble.

The benefits outside of the US are weaker than the Us properties. At least in the US properties, members can dictate their amentities and gifts. While those outside of the US just get what is given to them.

In the scheme if things, it's now the lounge access and free Internet that keeps me staying with Hyatt. If Marriott or Starwood offered the same at their mid-level membership, I would change brands.

In fact, for the Hyatt GPP,there isn't a great filler between Diamond and Courtesy Card. Once you hit diamond, there isn't much incentive to stay 51 nights or 151 nights. InterCon has the Ambassador level which was great with free mini bar and guaranteed upgrades...

I see nothing wrong with giving high revenue members diamond status even if they falls short of the stay/night requirement. It is the smart thing to do.

The idea that limited service stays should be discriminated against is foolish. This is a loyalty program, not solely a revenue program. The program must drive benefits to guests who stay at all Hyatt properties. Otherwise, Hyatt would have a hard time explaining to the franchised hotel owners of the limited service properties why they should pay to have Hyatt's flag if their guests are treated as second class citizens.

Customers are not stupid, and they will leave Hyatt if they can only reap the best benefits at the most expensive properties. It would also affect the corporate contracts that Hyatt is seeking. Why would a road warrior stay at a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House property that offers reduced awards when Marriott or Hilton do not?

I see nothing wrong with giving high revenue members diamond status even if they falls short of the stay/night requirement. It is the smart thing to do.

The idea that limited service stays should be discriminated against is foolish. This is a loyalty program, not solely a revenue program. The program must drive benefits to guests who stay at all Hyatt properties. Otherwise, Hyatt would have a hard time explaining to the franchised hotel owners of the limited service properties why they should pay to have Hyatt's flag if their guests are treated as second class citizens.

Customers are not stupid, and they will leave Hyatt if they can only reap the best benefits at the most expensive properties. It would also affect the corporate contracts that Hyatt is seeking. Why would a road warrior stay at a Hyatt Place or Hyatt House property that offers reduced awards when Marriott or Hilton do not?

Very well said, we sometimes forget that GP like others is really more a marketing program than a loyalty program and as such it needs to offer all the property owners benefits; what we as guests receive is driven solely by the value GP brings to the properties.

On the low end HH and HP properties benefit from occupancy of guests seeking to earn promotions or points for stays at aspirational properties. Higher tier properties benefit from increased occupancy and utilization of rooms reembursed by GP that otherwise may have gone empty, plus even when reimbursement rates are low, they generate F&B sales.

For such a scheme to work attractive offers must be available at all properties

Cheers.