If they don't plan to use the opportunity that was presented to them, then there's really no harm done at all. The status match is merely an investment made by Hyatt to gain more customers. I'm assuming their retention goal for 2017 and beyond is probably in the 10-15% range at most, assuming this is intended to generate long-term clients. It is a "foot in the door" proposition and now they'll let their product and benefits keep those recruits in the program. If their intention is a short-term increase in elite members to artificially make their program look more appealing to a potential buyer (i.e. - the would-be Chinese investors interested in SPG aren't simply going to let their expansion interests subside), then it is a calculated business move. There is a thread on here that ponders the idea that Hyatt will sell in less than 18 months ... I tend to agree with that line of thinking.