HOLY MOLY!!! Hyatt in talks to buy SPG (SPECULATION - Marriott buying SPG)
Oct 28, 2015, 8:51 am
#16
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It depends. The Westin Chosun is a great location, much better than PH or GH. I also like the Westin Tokyo, but some might not prefer its style. Both have good lounges. In other parts of Asia, such as China generally and Singapore, Starwood offers more choices.
Oct 28, 2015, 8:53 am
#17
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Yeah, I find Hyatt to have a higher standard overall, with differences at the extremes. Overall, I love the idea of properties in practically very major European city and so on, but as I said, I wince at the inevitable changes. I don't want SPG policies and loyalty benefits. I like HGP just like it is.
Oct 28, 2015, 9:02 am
#18
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... now the real whining can begin on how SPG's program is better than Hyatt Diamond. (and vice versa).
Oct 28, 2015, 9:03 am
#19
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Still choking on my morning coffee after I recover I will likely comment 
Oct 28, 2015, 9:04 am
#20
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According to this site, by revenue, IHG is in the lead by a fair amount, with Marriott and Hilton distant 2nd and 3rd. Starwood, Accor, Wyndham, and Hyatt make up the next tier, at about half of Hilton's revenue. Combining *wood and Hyatt would put them at a combined 10.4B USD in 2014, just beind Hilton's 10.5B USD.
They'd pretty much be right around #3 or 4 globally by revenue. I think they'd be around 5 or 6 for rooms and properties, though.
They'd pretty much be right around #3 or 4 globally by revenue. I think they'd be around 5 or 6 for rooms and properties, though.
Multiple tiers
Lounge access
Breakfast benefit
Suite upgrades (OK, Marriott falls on its face here domestically)
All the rest - IHG, Wyndham, Accor, Club Carlson, etc - have terrible loyalty programs in terms of perks.
Think of this as very similar to the airline mergers. You're left with American, Delta and United. All 3 have very similar loyalty programs. You can toss in Southwest but their loyalty program sucks as far as perks (woohoo free drink coupons!) and is no way competitive with the other 3 airlines.
Oct 28, 2015, 9:15 am
#21
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Would be an interesting alliance in this city to say the least...
Oct 28, 2015, 9:15 am
#22
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So I guess this is why no new promo has been announced.... 
Oct 28, 2015, 9:18 am
#23
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), if this happens, you'll have one less lifetime status card you'll have to carry around.It will be interesting in Las Vegas. Hyatt's partnered with MGM Properties, Starwood's partnered with Caesars Entertainment. I don't see the combined company partnering with both of them.
Oct 28, 2015, 9:33 am
#24
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I have an award reservation in March 2016 at Al Maha, a property of the Starwood Luxury Collection. If this deal occurs, what will be the implications?
Oct 28, 2015, 9:36 am
#25
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Oct 28, 2015, 9:44 am
#26
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Fingers crossed it's just speculation. Hyatt is half the market cap of Starwood so not the most obvious buyer.
Both HGP and SPG are better loyalty programmes because they have to make up for lack of size with better service. Merge the two and we might get a mess and a big dilution of benefits. SPG hotels often don't follow the rules from corporate whereas there are only a handful of Hyatts that don't deliver.
I'd rather lament the loss of SPG than have Hyatt Diamond diluted...
Both HGP and SPG are better loyalty programmes because they have to make up for lack of size with better service. Merge the two and we might get a mess and a big dilution of benefits. SPG hotels often don't follow the rules from corporate whereas there are only a handful of Hyatts that don't deliver.
I'd rather lament the loss of SPG than have Hyatt Diamond diluted...
Oct 28, 2015, 9:44 am
#27
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Oct 28, 2015, 9:59 am
#28
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Oct 28, 2015, 10:10 am
#29
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But if the theory is that smaller chains have to offer better benefits, since it's harder for a customer to stay loyal, then a merger would perhaps allow benefits on both sides to be diminished as they are combined.
Oct 28, 2015, 10:25 am
#30
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2) Borrowing money is dirt cheap right now, and Hyatt wouldn't have any problem borrowing a ton of money.
3) Hyatt can sell off properties currently owned by Hyatt and/or Starwood to raise additional money.
ROTFLMAO!
I assume you are referring to SPG IT helping Hyatt IT make the combined company's website totally unusable. That's a weak spot with both programs. Your (IMHO correct) analysis makes me very sad.
