I still think Hyatt has better system for us, with their generous of upgrade and BWB. keep it up Hyatt.

To me, Hyatt cushioned the blow with their recent string of incredibly easy-to-achieve promotions for points, free stays, and elite level. So while I obviously do not like the changes, the recent run of promos has mitigated the damage done. For instance, I like to keep a stash of points equal to at least 3 nights at the highest level property. Before devaluation that was at least 54K. Now, its 66K. The 12K difference needed for my stash was easily recouped during the BWB for doing nothing but making stays I normally would make.
Sure, it makes it harder to get additional free nights and some redemptions gems were upgraded 2 category levels, but those were never going to stay that way forever.

If you just want to compare highest-end properties between Hyatt and Marriott, there is simply no comparison. Park Hyatt properties are in a different league than JW Marriott hotels.

Even if Hyatt raises their point requirements for their highest-end hotels, they still allow promotion redemption on these hotels, for any day of the week. Can you say the same with Marriott or SPG?

Me, I still love Hyatt.

I agree with broadwayboy and others, particularly those of us who don't travel internationally. I'm not disappointed with the changes, in fact I'm very happy about some of those properties being moved down a category, as those would be ones I'd be interested in using on quick domestic vacation trips.

+2

whether international, or even domestic in the USA, i've always found hyatt properties to be better. and starwood to be better than marriott as well. i guess it's personal preference but personally i've always felt that any category of hyatt anywhere (and spg as well) will trounce the quality of any marriott of the same category. the cushioning of points that happened here while unfortunate (it's not even really that bad imo) is pretty inevitable but not enough to deter my business hotel habits. points are good, but i'd rather stay somewhere comfortable and nice (i can't stand courtyards...).

personally i've found the travel points systems industry wide (airline, hotel, car, everything) not to be the pick of what makes me the happiest... but rather to be what sucks the least. even with these changes i think hyatt's still better.

although to each their own i guess.

Were is the diamond dime a dozen promo ??!!??

Add another who agrees with this sentiment.

I have had extraordinary stay experiences with Park Hyatts. The hotel stay itself has become a major trip highlight. I am lifetime platinum with Marriott. Their high end properties, while nice, simply don't deliver the service and the style of many of the Park Hyatts. I almost pinch myself at where I've been able to stay with the FFN type promos, as well as points redemption.

And Hyatt continues to roll out interesting promos. I made over 100K UA points this past year. I'll max out the just announced AA promo. I really enjoyed the ANDAZ5 promo, as well as DEL5K last year. Hyatt makes the promos so interesting I've actually switched free nights I've earned to ones where I spend money. Crazy.

I still think we are in a sweet spot with Hyatt which began April 2009. I hope they will long continue not just the points earning opportunities, but their focus on beautiful, distinctive hotels with exceptional service.

With more points sources coming online, could be that Hyatt is going to focus on actual stay related promos, such as FFN. Closer correlation between hotel $$$ NOW and use of rewards NOW and in the near future.

Still a pretty good deal - FFN for near term allows for banking of points for later or other, non-FFN location stays.

OOPS! The Marriott promo gives a free Cat. 4 night after 3 stays, not 3 nights!

Sorry, thanks for the correction. It's a terrible promo either way, and makes me realize again how great Hyatt is to us!

For the Hyatt loyalist----On a point to point earning isn't Hyatt a little worst now because it does not have a credit card associated with it? Just my thought on it.

Shall we dig up the carcass of a specific thoroughbred and begin pummeling it?

C'mon, Tinpa! The summer Marriott promo isn't terrible IMO--it's just mediocre!
In the promo just ended, I had the chance to earn a free night at a Fairfield Inn for 4 stays. That bonus was also mediocre, but calling it MegaBonus was terrible !

Ya, Marriott's strategy seems to be back-to-back promos with no real value. I'm with you about the last one... some incentive to stay 25 nights.... for not quite enough points for 1 night at the highest cat. I think I'm just spoiled by Hyatt promos!

It sounds like Hyatt has actually created loyalty with its loyalty program. That's pretty rare these days.