Originally Posted by
lost_in_translation
Exactly my perspective too for what it’s worth, awarding status too easily through a credit card is more the issue than Category 9. I moved from Marriott about three and a half years ago because there were too many members with status and Ambassador wasn’t worth the effort any more (as someone not based in the US). Did over 200K Hyatt Base Points last year and already over half way to LTG, but this isn’t ‘chasing’ lifetime status, it’s just spending on hotels I would have done anyway but pushed towards Hyatt because the Glob benefits made it worthwhile. I have Marriott lifetime status that I value at very little so I don’t use it. There is already a slightly too high percentage of Globs at many high end properties for the number of suites/decent upgrades etc. for my liking due to various easy routes in the US and China, this would make it worse.
I would also point out that pushing away those willing to pay cash rates at PHs can also be bad for the points redeemers too - beyond a certain percentage of guests redeeming points, the owner no longer has to care if the cash rate is ‘real’ and presents value for money. What you eventually end up with is an owner who maximises returns by setting an extortionately high artificial cash rate and providing a low quality product targeted at those who want to feel they got ‘x’ value for their points, even if no one actually pays that rate. You might call it ‘Ritz-Carlton Syndrome’.
Exactly. I'm
very similar to you, both in terms of time and amount spent in the WoH program. The only difference is that I never had status with other chains; prior to Hyatt, I had primarily done Airbnbs and other extended stay options. I chose Hyatt
despite its limited global footprint and higher prices, for one reason and one reason alone: Globalist status. As a high-volume, cash-paying leisure traveler (that stays primarily in the higher-end properties), I had no doubt that I would comfortably hit the top-tier status with ANY of the chains. And if I was going to choose ONE, it logically made sense that it would be with Hyatt.
If this holds true, the mentality of the past would not apply. This pattern of behavior is simply conditioning people to slowly accept a devaluation of what made the Hyatt program so great. Some commenter in the other social media thread said it best:
"It's the reason I left Hilton. If everybody is Diamond, then nobody is Diamond."
I feel like people are missing the forest for the trees. "Oh, but this makes sense from a business perspective. And it isn't ALL bad!" As if Hyatt is struggling to make ends meet?
It may not feel like it now, but if they make Globalist so easy to attain then WoH will certainly go the way of Hilton and the other chains. Book it. Credit cards have ALWAYS been the first step in businesses doing this. If this rumor ends up being true, Hyatt would simply be starting their walk down the SAME steps that other chains have. Give it time, it will no longer be that differentiated from the rest.