The only constant I find in this hotel game is change, sometimes for the better but more often for the worse--can't sugarcoat inflation.

What I'm resorting to (just sort of happened organically, not anything planned) is making more reservations on Amex's FHR with hotels where I don't have top tier status; and, this time even with Hyatt, I've avoided them on my most recent SE Asia --> Europe excursion. I mean, the prices they were asking just didn't justify not paying a little more for some well known properties in HK (you know, the one in Kowloon) and Singapore (you know, the one really near the park with the lion head spitting out water). So, the only business they saw from me for the single patchwork nights were a Cat 4 free night redemption and my other single night I actually tried the Shangra-La for the first time absent any status. You know what, it wasn't that bad? No lounge status, but lounges have become so crowded I tend to avoid them now; but, I was accorded 8 am check in.

Not sour grapes, but whatever WoH is doing will have some effect, but whether or not it's on their bottom line, we'll have to see. Crowded lounges with everyone and their mothers in there and a "dedicated" concierge who no longer responds isn't what I signed up for, you know.