Originally Posted by bhrubin

Now I confess I am reminded repeatedly why I switched from Hyatt to SPG in the first place.

(1) There really aren't that many Hyatt properties in far too many of the locations I visit, both domestically and abroad. The holes are stunning to me now that I've been with SPG for many years.

(2) While DSUs are nice, you still must pay for a regular room or at least use Cash&Points and still spend cash. I can be automatically upgraded to a suite on a free award stay with SPG. The true savings using DSUs is not very significant for me...since I usually only want a suite at nicer hotels which either don't allow Cash&Points (Andaz Maui) or which have high rates even for entry rooms (Park Hyatt Milan). The cost-benefit isn't nearly as good as I remember, and isn't even close to what SPG offers now.

(3) I love Park Hyatt, and I enjoy some Andaz (basically reminding me of W hotels)...but there are so few. There are far more of these luxury type hotels available in the SPG portfolio, not to mention Lux Collection.

(4) I've been underwhelmed with the few Grand Hyatt properties I've either stayed at or visited to consider. They usually don't seem as luxe/upscale to me as others so often seem to perceive them, especially in the rooms, themselves--with rather mundane, sterile furnishings that don't seem all that different from those in a regular Hyatt or Hyatt Regency hotel. A nice lobby does not a luxury hotel make IMO. I'm more impressed usually with the Westin or Le Meridien in the same markets, which surprised me...a lot.

(5) Hyatt has even more limited offerings in the midscale sector than SPG, at least for where I tend to visit in the USA. Marriott certainly will help SPG here.

Originally Posted by bhrubin

Oh dear. If one bothers to read my posts to even this one thread, it is fairly apparent I love Park Hyatts (having stayed at the PH Istanbul, Shanghai, Sydney, Melbourne, and with a future booking for Chicago, not to mention dining at the Washington, DC, property and loving it) in the same way I love most StR (but dislike the flagship StR NYC, actually). I am booked for the Andaz Maui next year, and have stayed at the Andaz WeHo several times. I was Hyatt Diamond a few years ago for many years...before switching to SPG. Hard to say I'm knocking the Hyatt brand. I've stayed at many, many Hyatts over the years, including the last year. Oops.

I have knocked the fact that there are not enough Hyatts in locations I visit for work or want to visit for leisure. That isn't the same thing as knocking the brand.

I have knocked Gold Passport for some weaknesses. Every loyalty program has weaknesses, including SPG. It's about maximizing the returns/benefits while minimizing the weaknesses as much as possible with any loyalty program.

I've also mentioned that the DSUs can be very valuable for many, even me, even if they aren't as useful for me when compared to SPG Platinum benefits and property availability and selections over the course of a year.

Again, defensiveness isn't pretty.