The T&Cs distinguish between Eligible Rate and Points+Cash in multiple places, including club access and suite upgrade awards. For example:
C.II.a - In-hotel Benefits are provided only where, for the applicable night, the elite Member (a) has paid an Eligible Rate or (b) has redeemed a Free Night Award, Room Upgrade Award, or Points + Cash Award.
C.IV.d.2 - Explorist Club Lounge Access Awards are valid on nights for which the Member has paid an Eligible Rate or has redeemed points for a standard-room Free Night Award, Suite Free Night Award, or a Points + Cash Award, up to a maximum of seven (7) consecutive nights.
C.V.h.2 - Complimentary Suite Upgrade Awards are valid on nights for which the Member has paid an Eligible Rate or has redeemed points for a standard-room Free Night Award, a Club Free Night Award, or a Points + Cash Award, up to a maximum of seven (7) consecutive nights.
Okay, so you got three spots where they add it in with other award types.
Also:
B.II.b.2 " A Member may earn a “5-Brand Free Night Award” after paying an Eligible Rate for a completed stay ..." No mention here of pts+cash, but as an eligible rate (as defined above), we know it counts.
C.I.a. "A Member may earn elite status based on the number of nights the Member (i) stays at a Hyatt hotel or resort or an M life Rewards destination; (ii) pays an Eligible Rate or redeems a Free Night Award;
and (iii) associates his or her valid Program membership number..." Again. No mention here of pts+cash, but as an eligible rate (as defined above), we know it counts.
C.V.l "Resort or facility fees, where charged by the applicable hotel or resort, will be waived for Globalists when paying an Eligible Rate. (As described in
Appendix B, resort or facility fees are waived for all Members when staying on a Free Night Award.) " Again. No mention here of pts+cash, but as an eligible rate (as defined above), we know it counts.
My point? Not to annoy everyone, only to point out that cash+pts always has counted as eligible rates.