Originally Posted by
aCavalierInCoach
The Chase and Citi options in my experience suffer from the same issue as Amex FHR. The rates are often inflated to cover the bennies, and the bennies are getting curtailed even where they're good value (see: intercontinental DTLA - free breakfast for 2 is actually limited to $44 per person -- not much when their equivalent of "american breakfast" is $39 before mandatory gratuity and tax; and enjoy your destination fee not reflected in the price at booking). Smaller hotel groups are where its at these days.
Appreciate your post and perspective. I thought the same initially.
When I spoke with Chase they shared that destination fees not listed in the booking means you won't pay them.
I will be following up with them and have it documented!
In my early perception Chase has it all over Amex if you consider though its really only for 2 or 3 bookings that participate.
My understanding Hyatt is also coming on board with Edit soon to be offering more properties.
Considered canceling my Chase S Reserve until I looked and studied more intently and then booked!
I'm all in on CSR again after getting past the sticker shock! And their lounges are nicer than many Hyatt Clubs that are left!
Albeit potentially with a line to get in
Rooms in NYC this June are averaging 500 dollars a night and up even for the dumps.
Through Edit I was able after doing the math get a 250 dollar credit on the booking, points with the hotel program and 8 MPD in Ultimate Reward Points in CSR
100 dining credit, free breakfast and a one time annual additional 250.00 credit that IHG and some other hotel companies negotiated bringing my rate effectively to 200 plus dollars a night @ The Intercontinental
That is 500 dollars off my 1000 dollar booking even before free breakfast and the 100 dollar dining credit and the double dipping in 2 programs!
Agree many of the properties are grossly inflated but not all properties.Gary Leff brought up in" View From a Wing" fame brought up some great points
about moving away from Hyatt Visa and going all in on S Reserve when booking hotels.There is strength in flexible currency as Hyatt continues down this new path of devaluation
I see the CSR points more valuable than earning Hyatt points which are becoming def less valuable going forward.
One thing is certain my relationship with Hyatt will likely never be the same as I flee to other booking platforms as I am already doing.
If you asked me would I book on 3rd party platforms a year ago I would have said never!
A suite is not mandatory for me especially a poor one which can be the case in some properties .Late check out is important and a solid quality breakfast.
Being able to go out and enjoy a proper breakfast and not be subjected to lower quality and variety
has its appeal more than ever as Hyatt quality in a number of select properties have seriously declined in some important key destinations
Yet costs for revenue and redemption shooting up leaping actual inflation.