Thanks all for your suggestions. A few comments....

Agreed that one of the reasons sticking with Hyatt is simply that the properties themselves are almost always better than most unless you are willing to pay the price of Ritz/Four Seasons.

As for Gold Passport, the program should be enhanced with options to use additional points for free stays for an upgraded room category....similar to the airlines having different mileage requirements for capacity controlled or non-capacity controlled seats.

There should be another option for "stand-by" (not confirmed until check-in) points for RC upgrades. I am not paying rack rate for my deluxe ocean view room. I'm using a published "Stay in May" promotion which costs $490/night including breakfast for 2. However, I was not offered the option to pay additional for the rack rate price upon check-in if I wanted a RC upgrade (which I wouldn't). However, there should be an upgrade award option which allows upgrade based on availability at check-in if RC accomodations are available regardless of the rate you are paying for your room category below the RC category.

I've stayed at this property several times before and the RC here is actually worth the use of points.