Originally Posted by
Smart Shopper
Reading entries of those members who complain not knowing if and when GP will offer any “Stay 2 for one free nights promotion” this year, I see three main reasons for their disappointment:
- Their main reason to choose Hyatt is the possibility to earn award nights at high end resorts and hotels for staying at low priced properties.
- The benefits of Diamond Status are most welcome but current available rates are not competitive to stay at Hyatt properties.
- Lack of flexibility in booking hotel stays.
As everyone who likes to save money, I would be more than happy if Hyatt offers FFNs, best 12 months a year. But I also understand that Hyatt runs a business to earn money (there is an
IPO planned). Their management quote rates and we customer select out of a wide range of supply. From my experience, during this economic downturn it’s much easier to book bargains than it was in the past. Unfortuntely we have to stick to options and can't pick cherries (eg rates from Motel Six, service from Four Seasons, "Double Dip" from HH, suite upfrade from SPG, free internet access from GP, 4pm guaranteed check out from IC).
There are no cheap Hyatts where I travel and stay as these are in major world cities, not third tier US cities and towns. It may be the case that most US-based Diamonds get their status by staying at $100 a night Hyatts, but those of us outside the US, who travel the world, are still paying a minimum of $300 a night. My objective when spending my own and my own company's money is to maximize the return on every travel $ spent, while also receiving the highest level of service and benefits. Isn't the whole notion of the market place to be able to achieve the best value/benefit return?
The key point is that in the eyes of many of us here, Hyatt's whole marketing/elite promos this year has been for the most part misdirected and wasted, and that by always waiting until the last minute, counter-productive to its regular customers.