Consequence of Hyatt Devaluation: Commitments to Take our Business Elsewhere
 

I was a Hyatt Diamond from 1999 to around 2003, and loved the Gold Passport program. Great properties, service and promotions. I accumulated several hundred thousand points--most unredeemed until now.

Client work then took me to locations where there were no Hyatts. I switched to Hilton and Marriott, and have retained top elite in both of those programs for several years.

Hilton's recent devaluation, occurring right in the thick of the recession, significantly devalued my 1 million plus points. I decided to look for a new program, and was getting ready to switch to Hyatt any day now after staying sufficient nights at Hilton’s this year to retain my Diamonds status while I burn though my points this year and next.

Today's decision to devalue the Hyatt program again (I already lost about 20% from the prior devaluation) made me realize that Hyatt's management is no better than Hilton's, so I shall not be giving any future revenue business to Hyatt. Unfortunately, with all my travel committed through April next year--I will not even be able to burn off my existing points because of the very short notice given.

If you too believe that devaluing Hyatt points in the midst of a recession on top of another recent devaluation is unacceptable and you want to vote with your feet--I suggest switching to Marriott Rewards. While InterContinental’s Priority Club made a play for the Hilton's top customers through it "Biggest Loser" promotion, I do not feel that their high or low end properties are compatible with the quality we frequent travelers expect from chain loyalty programs.

PS Expect another more biting Hyatt devaluation in the near future. Credit card points make the corporation rich--but result in far too many points chasing too few hotel rooms....

I wasn't aware Hyatt devalued the program recently, but I only started regularly staying at Hyatts roughly 2 years ago. When did this last devaluation occur?

For me, I'm not thrilled with Marriott's program as it requires 75 nights to reach platinum status. Also, from an earning/redemption perspective, I don't see much difference between Marriott (40K points for top tier hotel nights) and the newly devalued Hyatt program (22K points for top tier hotel nights), especially considering the GP program offers a wide variety of bonus point (and free night) promotions. I guess what remains to be seen is if Hyatt is as liberal with promotions moving forward as they have been in the past.

I'm not thrilled about the devaluation. I think the devaluations in properties (mostly tier 2 to tier 1) is really just window dressing, and won't have any real effect to 90% of Hyatt members.

That being said, I think that if they continue being generous with FFN and BWB type free nights then my stays won't change. If they do tinker with those free nights, then that would cause me to largely abandon Hyatt.

PC has been quite good to me of late, and as a result are getting most of my business. Even when I've tried to give Hyatt money this month, I was mostly stymied. (BKK protests, which they didn't have control of, certainly.)

devaluation :td: but still hyatt is ^
i may consider if they won't let me redeem FFN/NBT/BWB for cat 6.
points don't mean anything compare to free nights!

I'm disappointed but I was expecting it. Additionally it's less severe than anticipated. Hyatt is my number 1 choice and it will be remain so.

I enjoy Diamond benefits. I got suites upgrade more often than other chains. BTW I'm SPG Platinum, HH Diamond and MR Platinum.

P.S. The periodic devaluation is part of life.

Bye, Bye, OP.

I'm with the rest, if the program stays largely the same -- as I expect -- then my travel patterns will not alter.

Hyatt's promos are much better than Marriott's, esp. the FFNs. Marriott doesn't have anything like that. And IIRC, Marriott's travel packages used to be a significantally better deal, but the points needed were raised substantially.
In addition, for those who don't travel as much, Hyatt's elite levels are easier to get.

As someone who pays for travel all out-of-pocket, Hyatts and IC (I'm okay "slumming" it. :) ) help me get the most for my money.

As most longtime forum participants know - I'm a big fan of Hyatt but am also far from an apologist with calling them out on various issues (from the former service issues at the PH Chicago to the tech team to the problems with CS giving out incorrect information in the last year). I'm a little disappointed with this devaluation but had been expecting it for quite some time (about a year actually - when they announced the new benefits of free internet - confirmed suite upgrades etc) waiting for the "other shoe to drop". Some of the property's new classification make absolutely no sense especially relative to other properties (Hyatt) in the same "market" but I'm sure that's a result of some negotiations between the property & GP. It's been 4-5 years since the last devaluation (where Cat 5 was created - and properties moved around). I would hope that they don't do another sweeping devaluation (recategorization) again for another 3-4 years at least.

PS - If it matters - all of my stays are self-paid since virtually all travel is personal.

I agree with most posters here, even devalue Hyatt is still the best for my need, as long as they do not mess with BWB

I am a very recent refugee from Hilton. Where am I supposed to go?

Starwood? :eek:

same here.

Hyatt is still the best program for me. If they mess with the FFN/NBT/BWB promo's, then I will take my business elsewhere &/or go back to my priceline/hotwire ways.
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The devaluation simply brings the Hyatt program more inline with that of Hilton, Marriott, etc.

In fact, it can be argued that despite this devaluation, the Hyatt program is STILL more generous than almost all competing programs (maybe SPG might be slightly better).

Without a doubt, its very disappointing. However, whether we're in a recession or not is irrelevant to their decision. They are a business which needs to make a profit, rain or shine.

I dont think most of us were shocked about this, and I dont think its nearly as bad as it could have been.

+1.

I hope I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that cat 6 will be off limits to FFN, and with that I will be gone...already had some really good stays at Shangri-La in Asia and for the money it is unbeatable!

So, yeah you could say I am thinking of jumping ship. Will have to see what the new CC and FFN looks like.

I don't like the devaluation, but Gold Passport is still a more generous program- at least for me, because I only do top tier redemptions.

Let's do simple math with earning/redeeming of Hyatt vs Starwood (not taking into account credit card spend or bonuses)
Non Elite Earning:
Hyatt: 5 GP points per dollar
Starwood: 2points/$

Top Tier Redemption:
22,000 Points for top category (Park Hyatt Paris) = $4,400 in hotel spend
30,000 SPG for top category (St Regis NY) = $15,000 in hotel spend


Elite Earning (Diamond/Platinum)
Hyatt: 6.5 GP points/$
Starwood: 3points/$

Redemption:
22,000 Points for top category (Park Hyatt Paris) = $3,384 in hotel spend
30,000 SPG for top category (St Regis NY)= $10,000 in hotel spend

And to take into consideration Hyatt has more promotions, I think the answer is still a no brainer.

Even if you compare Hyatt cat 6 with Starwood cat 6
Elite Redemption:
22,000 Points for top category Park Hyatt = $3,384 in hotel spend
20,000 SPG for a Cat 6 (W Times Sq) = $6,666 in hotel spend