Complimentary Wi-Fi Launching for All Guests in February
#31
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
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2. Hilton was and remains far and away the worst major chain, with no free internet for non-elites, and a new tiered system which makes even Diamonds pay for usable internet.
#32
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold Elite, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 198
I thought Christmas was a time for giving, yet so many negative comments.
This has a significant cost saving to all the guests who aren't elites, who may be on their family vacation and that $30 a day they may be able to spend on something else for their kids.
Hyatt is leading the pack among *wood and Hilton. It's a brilliant idea.
This has a significant cost saving to all the guests who aren't elites, who may be on their family vacation and that $30 a day they may be able to spend on something else for their kids.
Hyatt is leading the pack among *wood and Hilton. It's a brilliant idea.
#33
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Club Carlson also only provides members with free wifi, not to all guests....
And this is what Marriot states:
You must be a Rewards member and book a participating hotel directly on Marriott direct booking channels, including Marriott.com, Marriott’s mobile app, 1-800-MARRIOTT, or through a Marriott hotel to receive free in-room Wi-Fi.
So I don't really see why you would think that everyone or bookings through 3rd parties would get free wifi here... You might, but no guarantees.
And this is what Marriot states:
You must be a Rewards member and book a participating hotel directly on Marriott direct booking channels, including Marriott.com, Marriott’s mobile app, 1-800-MARRIOTT, or through a Marriott hotel to receive free in-room Wi-Fi.
So I don't really see why you would think that everyone or bookings through 3rd parties would get free wifi here... You might, but no guarantees.
While Hilton may have played an ugly Internet benefit game as of late (one which I criticized already) and the Hilton points have become devalued in some of the ugliest of ways in the FT era, the Hilton Gold benefits at the hotels deliver well for customers who get the status via 0-4 one-night stays. Hilton Gold is more valuable to me for at hotel benefits than Hyatt Platinum. Hyatt Diamond is great, but Hyatt Platinum is thin on benefits relative to base members and it is getting thinner with this move.
Last edited by GUWonder; Dec 23, 2014 at 4:51 pm
#34
 
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Upcountry Maui, HI
Posts: 13,314
No one is denying that internet should be free. Of course it should, in this day and age. The question was whether or not they were restructuring tiers, since basic Gold and Platinum have roughly the same benefits now with the exception of the 15% point bonus. There's no real "perks" to being Platinum vs. Gold now. I think it's a valid question.
I have a concern that some properties are not going to have enough capacity, even with the tiered approach. Hopefully that will just be a temporary situation that gets fixed.
Yet, I don't see that as a reason not to do this, this is a good thing for Hyatt and the industry IMO.
-David
#37
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold Elite, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 198
I guess you missed it ... basic members and non-members only get the basic tier for free. Platinum and Diamond members get the higher tier for free.
I have a concern that some properties are not going to have enough capacity, even with the tiered approach. Hopefully that will just be a temporary situation that gets fixed.
Yet, I don't see that as a reason not to do this, this is a good thing for Hyatt and the industry IMO.
-David
I have a concern that some properties are not going to have enough capacity, even with the tiered approach. Hopefully that will just be a temporary situation that gets fixed.
Yet, I don't see that as a reason not to do this, this is a good thing for Hyatt and the industry IMO.
-David
So the question remains... are the tiers being restructured, now that Gold and Platinum are basically comparable in benefits? It just seems that a 15% point bonus is not enough to distinguish the two tiers, and give casual travelers an incentive to always choose Hyatt in order to maintain a status that now isn't much different from the basic level.
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Stockholm, Sweden + Austin, Tx
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No, I didn't miss anything. You did. Not all properties have two internet tiers. That is what prompted my question to begin with. Where there is only one tier of internet, the only real difference remaining between basic Gold and Platinum is a 15% point bonus. Gold can easily get a 2pm checkout if it's available, so I don't really see that as a defining benefit.
So the question remains... are the tiers being restructured, now that Gold and Platinum are basically comparable in benefits? It just seems that a 15% point bonus is not enough to distinguish the two tiers, and give casual travelers an incentive to always choose Hyatt in order to maintain a status that now isn't much different from the basic level.
So the question remains... are the tiers being restructured, now that Gold and Platinum are basically comparable in benefits? It just seems that a 15% point bonus is not enough to distinguish the two tiers, and give casual travelers an incentive to always choose Hyatt in order to maintain a status that now isn't much different from the basic level.
Last edited by austin_modern; Dec 25, 2014 at 3:20 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
First of all, it is a great move by Hyatt to offer complimentary internet access to all guests.
Freckles68 has a valid question. In most cases, it is true that Hyatt Platinum members are casual travelers, but could also be more frequent travelers with loyalty elsewhere. Yeah, Hyatt Platinum status is easy to get, but so what? Hyatt offers benefits to Platinum status members, and if Hyatt doesn't continue to deliver value, Hyatt will lose business. Considering that Hyatt's announcement of free internet closely followed the actions of Starwood, it is legitimate to question what comparable perks will be offered instead.
Starwood's Gold tier status is roughly analogous in level to Hyatt Platinum. Starwood Gold offer members the choice of internet access as a welcome amenity. At Starwood, with internet access to be provided more universally next year, there will be other welcome amenities for SPG Gold members to choose from, such as points or a welcome drink.
An alternative perk to internet access should be of interest to Hyatt Diamond members too. Diamond members may already be getting a welcome amenity, but not much extra to replace free internet.
At Hyatt, there hasn't been an announcement of an alternative benefit to replace internet access. Hyatt seems to care about what Starwood offers. As a Platinum guest participating in Hyatt's Gold Passport program, it would be nice to see that Hyatt makes similar strides to ensure that the Gold Passport program does not lose value.
#40
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Osaka
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Gold, UA
Posts: 3,158
No matter what the benefit, some will find it valuable, while others think it worthless. You don't think much of the premium internet, but I'm sure there are others who are thrilled with it.
In any case, the various changes they're announcing piecemeal are scheduled to take effect in Jan and Feb, so why not wait until then to complain.
#42
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold Elite, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 198
But Plats have a guaranteed 2 PM checkout, which is a big difference.
No matter what the benefit, some will find it valuable, while others think it worthless. You don't think much of the premium internet, but I'm sure there are others who are thrilled with it.
In any case, the various changes they're announcing piecemeal are scheduled to take effect in Jan and Feb, so why not wait until then to complain.
No matter what the benefit, some will find it valuable, while others think it worthless. You don't think much of the premium internet, but I'm sure there are others who are thrilled with it.
In any case, the various changes they're announcing piecemeal are scheduled to take effect in Jan and Feb, so why not wait until then to complain.
#43
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold Elite, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 198
Happy Holidays!
First of all, it is a great move by Hyatt to offer complimentary internet access to all guests.
Freckles68 has a valid question. In most cases, it is true that Hyatt Platinum members are casual travelers, but could also be more frequent travelers with loyalty elsewhere. Yeah, Hyatt Platinum status is easy to get, but so what? Hyatt offers benefits to Platinum status members, and if Hyatt doesn't continue to deliver value, Hyatt will lose business. Considering that Hyatt's announcement of free internet closely followed the actions of Starwood, it is legitimate to question what comparable perks will be offered instead.
Starwood's Gold tier status is roughly analogous in level to Hyatt Platinum. Starwood Gold offer members the choice of internet access as a welcome amenity. At Starwood, with internet access to be provided more universally next year, there will be other welcome amenities for SPG Gold members to choose from, such as points or a welcome drink.
An alternative perk to internet access should be of interest to Hyatt Diamond members too. Diamond members may already be getting a welcome amenity, but not much extra to replace free internet.
At Hyatt, there hasn't been an announcement of an alternative benefit to replace internet access. Hyatt seems to care about what Starwood offers. As a Platinum guest participating in Hyatt's Gold Passport program, it would be nice to see that Hyatt makes similar strides to ensure that the Gold Passport program does not lose value.
First of all, it is a great move by Hyatt to offer complimentary internet access to all guests.
Freckles68 has a valid question. In most cases, it is true that Hyatt Platinum members are casual travelers, but could also be more frequent travelers with loyalty elsewhere. Yeah, Hyatt Platinum status is easy to get, but so what? Hyatt offers benefits to Platinum status members, and if Hyatt doesn't continue to deliver value, Hyatt will lose business. Considering that Hyatt's announcement of free internet closely followed the actions of Starwood, it is legitimate to question what comparable perks will be offered instead.
Starwood's Gold tier status is roughly analogous in level to Hyatt Platinum. Starwood Gold offer members the choice of internet access as a welcome amenity. At Starwood, with internet access to be provided more universally next year, there will be other welcome amenities for SPG Gold members to choose from, such as points or a welcome drink.
An alternative perk to internet access should be of interest to Hyatt Diamond members too. Diamond members may already be getting a welcome amenity, but not much extra to replace free internet.
At Hyatt, there hasn't been an announcement of an alternative benefit to replace internet access. Hyatt seems to care about what Starwood offers. As a Platinum guest participating in Hyatt's Gold Passport program, it would be nice to see that Hyatt makes similar strides to ensure that the Gold Passport program does not lose value.
#44
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold Elite, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Discoverist, Best Western Diamond Select
Posts: 198
But having said that, Hyatt has seen fit to offer a status level between those who rarely travel and those who never stop traveling. That status is Platinum, and it exists for a reason... because most people fall in the middle of those extremes. So yes, there should be distinct differences between Gold and Platinum, just like there should be distinct differences between Platinum and Diamond.
If you can recognize the devaluation of status that occurs when it's "earned" by having a credit card, surely you can recognize the devaluation of status when another benefit is extended to not only the lower level, but non-members. I happen to think internet should have been complimentary for all long before now... but as it was previously touted as a status benefit, it should be replaced by another one, or that status might as well not exist. Which wouldn't be smart, because then like I said before, you'd only have status levels for the two extremes of travel frequency, and none for those in between... where the majority of travelers fall. By devaluing the status of the majority, you're no longer giving them an incentive to choose Hyatt when they DO travel.
#45
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
"Free internet" is all relative if there's no high-speed access.
A selection of SpeedTest checks made during some of my Hyatt stays during the past few months:
This is absolutely abysmal, and unacceptable for hotels that market as being friendly to business travelers. Some of those speeds were so slow that it made something as simple as trying to check webmail a painful process.
What use is "Free Internet" - either as a brand-wide marketing ploy or as a perk for elite guests - if it's so slow that it's effectively useless?
A selection of SpeedTest checks made during some of my Hyatt stays during the past few months:
3.43 Mbps down, 2.66 Mbps up.
1.16 Mbps down, 1.21 Mbps up.
1.13 Mbps down, 0.18 Mbps up. (OMG ... I checked that one twice ... )
5.81 Mbps down, 5.61 Mbps up.
These were all measured at hotels that offered only a single tier of internet with no ability to pay for higher speed or receive such as a Diamond.1.16 Mbps down, 1.21 Mbps up.
1.13 Mbps down, 0.18 Mbps up. (OMG ... I checked that one twice ... )
5.81 Mbps down, 5.61 Mbps up.
This is absolutely abysmal, and unacceptable for hotels that market as being friendly to business travelers. Some of those speeds were so slow that it made something as simple as trying to check webmail a painful process.
What use is "Free Internet" - either as a brand-wide marketing ploy or as a perk for elite guests - if it's so slow that it's effectively useless?