Originally Posted by
thbe
Maybe you’re right for a subset of members, but I’m not sure it represents “most” real-world redemption patterns. Hyatt’s footprint is still heavily weighted toward lower and mid categories rather than the very top end, and plenty of members redeem there because the value can be excellent.
Just as a data point from my own bookings this year so far:
- 10 award nights booked, all Cat 2 (5 airport, 1 city, 4 leisure/sea)
- 78,500 points total
- saved about $2,450 in room rates (not including the substantial parking savings)
- value: ~3.12¢/pt
Why do you think this is an unpopular way to redeem? For many travel patterns, focusing on solid value where award pricing doesn’t perfectly track cash can be more repeatable than chasing a handful of top properties on fixed dates.
Your Cat 2 hotels would cost 10k per night in the "Moderate" tier in the new award chart. Let's say you would have earned 2k (or its cash equivalent from a referral site) for a paid night, the total real cost should be around 12k. If you've getting 3.12¢/pt for you stays, that translates into $374.40 per night? Is that still a good deal? It may be for some Cat 2 Hyatt, but not generally, IMO.