Originally Posted by
lighthouse206
I don't think anyone (reasonable, that is) has issues with them selling suites for market rates. The issue is a heavy discount targeted only at certain clientele who (it seems) are mostly non-elite guests, which then results in fewer suites made available for upgrades to Hyatt's most loyal customers. BTW, this is the basic strategy implemented by the airlines around 2010, United/Continental in particular: heavily discounted first class upgrades for sale on the website, which basically meant no more free upgrades for most elite members (except those at the tippy top)...
I'm on AA and as a PlatPro I don't get upgrades on AA either (except on select <500 mile flights where it means jack) because of my flight patterns. I would be happy to pay a reasonable upcharge to first when I book (usually, something I prefer doing 4-8 months out) and forget about ever caring about elite upgrades.
With Hyatt too, I very very rarely get at check-in upgrades to suites (has happened for a total of maybe 5 nights in the last 100?). I would be happier either using a TSU or just paying a reasonable cash upgrade rate (and keep forgetting about ever getting a suite upgrade at checkin). Since TSUs are confirmable at booking, I don't know if the dynamics of this policy (if it is really widespread) will matter for that, my hope is that it wouldn't. But, if Hyatt is being more aggressive at upselling to suites, I am not all that concerned - I will be first in line to consider the cash upgrade rate when I want a suite. No need to give 1-night and 2-night business travellers all of the leftover suites all the time when a family would have been happy paying a reasonable cash upcharge for the space.
My bigger concern is transparency -- put the rate on the site for everyone to see upfront. (and of course, I hope it doesn't impact TSU space all that much)