Unless I'm mistaken, the Hyatt Daily rate IS rack. If you're trying to use the points for an upgrade, the room type is pre-determined and is different for each hotel. For example, the time I tried to use it in Waikiki, I was told I had to book a minimum ocean view room at the daily rate.

There really is no rhyme or reason as to which rates would qualify - and I suspect discounted rates do not qualify. The only real way to find out it to call and ask for the property you're interested in.

My understanding is that for most hotels payment of the Daily Rate for the base room is required for suite upgrades with points. The exception is resort properties, where one needs to book a "deluxe" room, the definition of which appears to vary by resort.

Agree. That's why I always tell people to call and check. This issue isn't set in stone and varies from property to property, with the resorts being more strict.

But I suspect many people are interested in the upgrade for the resorts, which is why I always mention deluxe room or better.

I will try to be more clear going forward to avoid confusion.

No it was not a loophole, the BRG is just keeping the promise to offer the lowest rate and should be treated as a normal paying guest.

The BRG terms require you to pay the Hyatt Daily Rate for a base room (or higher category for resorts). BRG rates are not the Hyatt Daily Rate, they are a discount rate. You are still treated as a normal paying guest (the same as if you are on any other full, corporate, or discount rate). None of that affects the requirement for suite upgrades via points to pay the listed Hyatt Daily Rate.

[Yes, I know that when you have a successful BRG, the rate type is listed as Hyatt Daily Rate. But that's not an argument that you are actually paying the HDR. You're still paying a discounted rate and thus not entitled to use a points upgrade.]

My point of view is differently. But in the end it is the decision by Hyatt.

I just booked a suite at Hyatt Regency - Orange County, on a suite sale and it was the same price as the regular room rack rate. In this case, why blow 6,000 points?

Some other suite categories were lower than the rack rate using AAA, but we booked an Executive Suite thats about 700 sq ft, thats about double the size of their regular room.

So at Grand Hyatts or Resorts, you've got to pay the deluxe room rate before using the 6,000 points to upgrade?

[QUOTE=Ancien Maestro;20374311
So at Grand Hyatts or Resorts, you've got to pay the deluxe room rate before using the 6,000 points to upgrade?[/QUOTE]

At resort you have to.

Given the points needed for the upselling instrument and the difference in rates you pay it is a good deal.

You do know that's not a suite, right? It's just an oversized room with a sleeping alcove that also can be used for business meetings.

At many hotels, the entry level suites are just oversized rooms and/or junior suites without a separate bedroom. In some they are just 2 regular rooms that have been connected with one that has a murphy bed.

It varies from property to property.

On the reservations its defined as an executive suite, but they have a 2 bedroom suite, and a VIP suite that is about the same size for double the price. The executive suite is 684 square feet and the others are 700 sq ft. So being that we're hardly going to be in the room anyways as we're in Disneyland most of the time, save the coin, get the suite that's not necessarily divided but go open concept. There is a sofa with pullout bed, dining room table and Hyatt King Bed. I do have the option to upgrade to the 2 bedroom for $74 more which was offered after the reservation was made, but being the same size, I don't think I'll bother to sign up for the possible upgrade offered if available at check-in.

Today I noticed on the algorithms on Hyatt the rate depends sometimes on the arrival date, so I called reservations and changed my reservation to arrive a day early, and got a rate of $189 per night. Once secured, I called the reservations back and said to change my dates back to one day later and the reservation agent says it changes all my rates to $20 more. I asked to speak with the manager, and fed me off to a customer service agent who called front desk, and secured the $189 per night rate for the executive suite. I'm surprised that the date of arrival would change an entire reservation.

Mary2e, I assume since you go to Disney World alot, that you would stay at the Grand Cypress, so today while I was on the phone with customer service I blocked off 3 weeks for next spring break in an executive suite, with the plan to convert it to a suite upgrade reservation when I start the challenge.

We've got 7 nights at Hyatt Orange County, and 11 nights at Hyatt Kauai so far booked. So I'm contemplating whether or not to start the challenge for those stays in July/August, or wait and do the challenge in February next year. Right now I think we'll do the challenge February next year, so based on the reading we'll get another set of suite u/g March 1st, and qualify Diamond 2015. But I read on another Hyatt thread that if we do the challenge after June 30th this year, we'll receive diamond til 2015.. now is that the end of 2015, or is it end of February 2015? But I guess I'll post this question on another thread.

I asked customer service about the upgrading using points as opposed to diamond suite upgrades today, and she said that using points we book the base room off of the daily rate, whereas using diamond suite upgrades, you can book any discounted rate seen on hyatt.com, and be upgraded to the suite. I asked if deluxe room needed to be booked to be upgraded using points at the Grand Cypress, and she said no, that just a base room needs to be booked and booked off the hyatt daily rate.

Be advised that a suite upgrade certificate is good for a maximum of seven nights. So you'll be looking at burning three certificates to do this. Also note that a "released suite" (the suite that you've already reserved and that I assume you would cancel once you became a Diamond) may not necessarily go immediately back into the pool of available rooms, so you may not be able to reserve the entire three week block using suite upgrades when the time comes.

I've been advised by Customer Service and another Hyatt agent that the hotel can handle the transition, not necessarily having to go back into the pool. Before I booked, I asked customer service that if I can do this or is the best strategy to book the triple AAA rate of the base room, and she said book off the suite so that I know I've got the suite, and when I start the challenge, call customer service/hotel and have reservation converted to a reservation utilizing suite upgrades or points. If using points, I'm thinking calling back in another 3 days and blocking off 24 nights instead of 21 nights (no additional deposit required as its all under reservations). I double checked since I'm from Canada that the hotel isn't going to refund onto my cc and charge the deposit again, as there is a foreign transaction fee (not like US where Amex Plat or many ccs carry no foreign transaction fees). If I use points to upgrade to a suite, that would cost me 36,000 points and I have to book the daily rate. But if I book using 3 diamond suite upgrades, then I can take advantage of any discounted rate available at the time when we convert the reservation. I'll have enough points to u/g using points by middle August this year, and I may save the diamond suite upgrades to upgrade at a resort or the new Andaz on Maui.

For a FT Envangelist it's curious that you don't understand a floating rate of the day...

The Grand Cypress has turned into a horrible hotel. Very poor customer service, and asking for a manager or supervisor will not get you anywhere. Don't expect a single thing more than you are entitled to, particularly as far as a room or suite upgrade goes. Especially during spring break. The hotel is very popular and they have plenty of business, and essentially, do what they want.

It would do you well to read the review thread before committing to staying there for 3 weeks.

I actually prefer to pay more and stay in Disney.

Customer service is wrong, and eventually, they will catch it. Or the hotel will.

This hotel does not fool around.

[edit to add} I just remembered the type of suite they use for the upgrades, either points or the certificate. It's of the 2 connecting rooms together type with a regular (smallish) room on one side, and a couch/sitting area as the other room. There are 2 doors to get in or out, and the regular room part is rented out if no one is using a certificate.

The executive suite you booked isn't used for upgrades, or at least it wasn't when I used one there. As well, this hotel, though it claims to have a balcony, really does not. You can barely stand outside. It's no more than 2 ft wide at the widest point.