Rate is different (lower) when not signed into GP
 

Can anyone explain why the rate is $98 when I am not logged in and it is $116 when I am logged in to GP?

I just tried this on 2 different computers to verify. I was looking at an AAA breakfast rate at New Orleans Regency in early August. It is the same exact room(Double-Checked!!)

Very odd!!!!!!

Is this a case of two different prices for not only the same room (smoking, bed type, room category, club floor or not) but also the same "AAA breakfast rate" with the same cancellation terms?

I was also able to duplicate this with one of the Hyatt Place properties in Atlanta today while checking rates. The difference was $20 per nite on the lowest rates (lower, when not signed in).

not odd at all my cynical side says.

Budget did this to me years ago, consistently, where the rates when logged in were higher than if I wasn't. I haven't used Budget for over a decade (unless hotwire rate chose budget).

It was found that Amazon.com was doing this to their good customers as well, taking advantage of the heavy user's loyalty.

If it is indeed the case that Hyatt is doing the same crappy thing, needless to say I won't be using Hyatt much.

Was not able to duplicate your results on a few properties I tried, but did see a typical Hyatt web site 'glitch' where the rate at HR NO showed lower on the initial listing of New Orleans properties ($87.20) but then when I clicked thru to that specific hotel for room types available it jumped up to $98.10. However, no difference in the $98.10 daily rate or the AAA rate whether I was logged in or not.

But, like others, I wouldn't be surprised if this did happen on occasion. Wonder if the best rate guarantee applies against their own web site? ;-)

Dear Musikdude,

Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. We have been unable to replicate the issues that you have mentioned. If you will please DM me with the dates you were looking at, we will get that looked at right away.

Happy Travels!

Dana M

I have noticed this too. It told me the hotel was sold out and I would have to pay $379. Of course there were rates as low as $200 when I logged out. Be sure if you are doing a search DO NOT log in. Once you have your rate and ready to book the lower rate you can log in during confirmation and it will be fine.

I have seen things of that nature (but not at hyatt) when profile preferences led to that like smoking vs nonsmoking or saved corporate codes.

This is just another user experience enhancement. Companies don't deliberately take advantage of customers, CEOs don't routinely lie on their resumes, banks don't game Libor rates, and I'm Santa Claus. So gimme an address to deliver this ton of coal in the back of my sleigh!:p

With Hyatt, that is indeed the only time I have seen such differences.

The kind of sleazy company approach in the travel industry is more up Delta and/or perhaps Hilton's sleeves.

I purchased a tinfoil hat on Amazon a few years ago during their dynamic pricing phase... it was a dollar more than my friend purchased his, but Im ok. Keeps me safe from all the evil doers out there in corporate american....

I thought there was a discussion about this sort of dynamic/adaptive pricing tactic awhile back, someplace else in FlyerTalk (not Hyatt)? (Couldn't find it.) I know there was a recent WSJ article about Orbitz doing this to Apple users, and I found an old article from Consumer Reports about this sort of practice in general, especially with different browsers. Never noticed it myself in Hyatt...yet. Although, I do notice that sometimes previously "sold out" properties (when not logged in) will display some rooms as available (at extremely high rates) when logged in as Diamond, but I always assumed that was just one of the Diamond benefits of guaranteed room availability...for a price.

The Orbitz/Apple thing was about the order properties were shown to a Mac user vs a PC user--higher-end properties were shown first because (said Orbitz) Mac users have a higher average income than PC users and tend to purchase more expensive vacations. I understand that. It's using something about you (your IP address, your browsing history, your computer itself) to customize what you are offered.

The DL mess was not the same thing (there was an actual price difference for the same product [well, the fare code was probably different]--the price was higher if you were elite). Unfortunately, at first glance this sounds more like the DL mess rather than trying to upsell you to a higher category room because you're logged in. Or maybe it is just not clearing corporate codes in your bowser.