Originally Posted by
baliktad
I am used to searching for the best rates available on Hyatt.com. Even if I know my dates, this usually requires several passes to check the Daily Rate, packages, special rates like AAA or Costco, and my corporate rate. Normally, hyatt.com would show me all rates for a given rate type: King/2 Doubles/Regency Club/Suite.
Now, however, there has been a change to show only the first 2 rates by default, and hide the other rates until you click "See More Room Types." This is particularly devious because the rates you see may not be the lowest available rates. Here's an example of an upcoming rate check for the HR ORD. By default, when searching for AAA rates, here's what shows (note the advertised 116.10 rate in the upper right that isn't even shown):
You have to click "Show More Room Types" to actually get the regular King room:
This change takes less focus off the cheapest rooms available, and gives more attention to the various other offers available, typically packages that bundle parking, late checkout, or other city features that are rarely worth the premium.
Boo to Hyatt for making this change and attempting to hide their lowest rates.
Bill from Hyatt E-Commerce here. I can assure you that we in no way are trying to be devious and hide the lowest rates. For this one hotel we are testing an approach to displaying rate plans and room types hierarchically rather than in one massive page. In discussions with users, we've had complaints that some users are overwhelmed by having too many rate plans and room types displayed. This approach is designed to put the most popular/likely rate plans and room types first. Generally, these are the lowest costs options so I'll look into why this isn't happening. As you know, all the rates plans and room types are accessible by using the more options.
I've be very interested in the thoughts of the community on whether a long list of rate plans / room types is better or worse than a hierarchical display.
Thanks in advance.