They've assured me that Cat 6 will remain eligible for FFN redemptions.

It looks like you are wrong.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hyatt...t-6-level.html

Midst of a recession ?

You are aware that there is a world out there outside of the US borders...

It was more or less impossible to lose more than 20% before, Hyatt's prior 'devaluation' resulted in a new category, one with only about two dozen properties.

On a related side note, we have far more properties in Cat.1 now, a category famous for the best value systemwide.

Still, the major reason why I take my business elsewhere is the simple fact that a shiny black Hyatt card does not get you any further in places like Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna or even Munich...

It sounds like your motive for switching, whether you realize it or not, is corporate resentment. Marriott is corporate as well, so your best strategy is to find small, privately owned hotels for your stays. This may cost you more, but the peace of mind will be worth it.

into the general Hyatt Devaluation thread IMO. 19 posts, and only the OP (who isn't even a meaningful Hyatt GP customer according to the post) is "Committed to taking our business elsewhere".

Non sequiter thread, no support for this concept.

This strikes me as a relatively minor adjustment and certainly no reason to leave the program over. It's always distressing when the price of something goes up, but that's what often happens when you want to pay for quality, and there is no denying that some of the properties affected by the shift to category 6 are the equal of any top hotel in the world. I just booked a regular award night at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong, and while 18K is a lot of points, I know as a Diamond I will be getting a 22K Club room/access. But considering that these properties will not be excluded from FFN-like redemptions, still gives us a dirt cheap means of experiencing the likes of the PH Tokyo for under $200 with no loss of points (i.e. 2 Hyatt Place Mattress Run stays).

I've been top tier elite in several hotel programs, and the one I will aim to keep ahead of the others for next year will still be GP.

First of all I have always been a big Hyatt fan but this announcement is really bad

I have SPG Platinum and Marriott Platinum as well. Yes I stay in hotel a lot (over 250 nights a year for biz).

After becoming a lifetime diamond member last year I moved more biz to Hyatt but after the devaluation I will move more to others like Marriott and SPG.

Devaluing points during a downturn in revenue doesn't make since!

I have over 500K Goldpassport points and just calculated that I lost 6 free nights because of it!

I will be calling customer relations to share my opinion and hope that all of you frequent guests at Hyatt do the some!

As usual, your commentary is dead on to my opinion. ^ While I am sad that some opportunity doors are closing, this program is really great.

No, I'm not going anywhere because of this. With me, Diamond is hard to make because of the lack of small city locations, so I have to generally rely on double-stay-credit and FFN mattress runs to get there.

I might end up cutting back on Hyatt, not because of this devaluation, but because of what my work travel patterns might end up being in the second half of 2010. I'm at 10 stay credits right now through a third of the year, and FFN usually means that I'll get 8 stay credits in 4Q if I need them. So the real question is whether I'll do 7-8 revenue stays between May 1 and the beginning of FFN, which would almost all be for work.

But given that I picked up 4 FFN nights at the Park Hyatt EZE this year, including two of the nights from four $55 HP mattress runs, I will stay loyal as long as it is logistically possible.

That makes two of us. Given that May-June and September are the most ideal weather months here in Illinois, the current promo just isn't matching my plans either. Let's both hope there is a strong FFN this fall with double stay credit or I'll join you in falling away from Diamond. The devaluation in point redemptions was not unexpected but I am wary that another one is soon to follow when the credit card is issued - both in terms of hotel redemption but also conversion. Some of those bonus Hyatt points from 1Ws and G2s were very handy in just going over the Southwest companion pass threshold this year.

The devaluation announcement hit me yesterday while I was in the midst of my 25th Hyatt stay of the year...Strange how I accumulated so much in such a quick time this year and I thought back in no particular order...

1) My free upgraded Presidential Suite in Singapore on FFN
2) My points redemption of a 1500sf suite in Kauai
3) My points redemption for two rooms which turned into a adjoining suite rooms in Beijing for my family including free buffet breakfasts
4) My suite upgrade in Macau last year two weeks after the property opened
5) My 15 nights redeemed at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 11 nights in Kowloon HR and now 10 future nights reserved in Tsim Sha Tsui in October

These are just a few of the highlights and I can figure out how I got some of these great rewards...

1) 1W (1000 extra points) instead of taking home the wine (since liquids were banned on US flights)
2) G1-G3 codes galore
3) Promo codes including 5K extra for staying at Andaz during the initial openings
4) Extra periods for creating and extending FFN night, Next Biggest Thing and the current extra promotion of extra night or 5K in points
5) Free internet
6) Free full breakfasts AND 2500 extra points for some Hyatt properties which closed their RCs (repair or permanent)
7) Most Asia properties will give you some extra goodie in the room regardless of whether an amenity is warranted or not
8) The offer of a personal concierge at Hyatt's Diamond line

I hit the Million lifetime accrual recently (over a 10 year period) but amassed another 100K in points in less than five weeks after that due to the great promotions that Hyatt put into place.

What's this all mean to me? It's not fun to see devaluation but in the scheme of things, Hyatt's program is way ahead of other programs. I thank Hyatt for the approach that they've taken...

I think it says a lot about the equity Hyatt has built up with its GP members that the reaction to this has been so restrained. Everyone just shrugs their shoulders and thinks "well, that's not good news ... but GP still kicks the crap out of Marriott/Starwood/Hilton"

Inflation is a natural after effect of flooding the market with currency. In this case, the currency is points and elites. It's naive to think that Hyatt is going to offer the opportunity to earn its highest loyalty level for several hundred dollars ($50 HP stays with double credit), offer bonus points on top of bonus points, and that everything was going to remain the same.

I hate to sound harsh. But I earn my status whether or not there are promotions. Sure, I love promos too, and will always take advantage. But you can't have it both ways. You want no blackout dates and virtually unlimited award availability? Guess what? Prices are going up.

You can go anywhere you want. It's the same story everywhere. Aside from the bonuses, I've learned in the last two years how committed Hyatt has been to me as a customer. Despite the flooding of the elite ranks, Hyatt has provided me benefits that consistently make me feel like my business matters. That's why I stay loyal.

So what? 6 days lost? You have 500K GP points and you're a lifetime member anyway.

Think of something realistic for a change.. like all the starvation in the world and see how insignificant your 'lost' 6 days really is!

I have > 1 million available Hyatt Gold Passport points. I feel your pain.

Hyatt is still a great program, although now days Hyatt Diamond�s are a dime a dozen.