Does DSU require standard room availability?
 

I'm in a situation where the base suite - Junior Suite King at HR STL is available at Gov't rate, but the standard room is not. Is it possible to contact a hotel (I've tried with contacting Gold Passport and they weren't able/willing to do it) and get them to charge me the standard gov't rate so I can use my DSU?

It seems rather strange that to use a DSU the suite AND the standard room need to be available and bookable.

J4H

the Suites have a separate inventory, which needs to be available, irrespective if the suites are available at a govt rate or not. also the DSU can be used paying any eligible rate (e.g. corporate rate).

you can always contact the hotel directly. I have had success in getting a DSU applied 2 times already, even though they showed unavailable on hyatt.com (or the phone agent could not confirm).

I used a DSU at Park Hyatt Seoul when a base room wasn't available. It was the most affordable way to be able to stay.

You are conflating two separate issues:

1. You can use a DSU on any eligible rate; there does not have to be standard room availability, just availability for the DSU eligible suite.

2. The hotel has no obligation to offer the standard government rate when it does not have standard room availability. If you want to book a room (and then use your DSU), you will have to book at a rate that is actually available.

I see your distinction, but what if my only eligible rate is for the DSU eligible suite? What should I expect to be charged? I don't need a DSU if I have to pay for the suite outright!

You first need to have a reservation to apply a DSU to.... otherwise your only option is contacting the hotel directly to see if you can work something out.
But since the property receives no compensation for a DSU it's unlikely they will accept you paying for a standard room when they could get the revenue for a suite.

A DSU allows you to upgrade an existing reservation to a suite, not to force the hotel to give you a suite for the price of a base room.

At the HR STL, I have always had excellent results by contacting the hotel directly. This hotel has an extremely capable person (Ken) in charge of VIP guest relations. If you tell him what you're trying to do, and if your request is reasonably, then IME he will find a way to make it happen.

Another angle: If you have a multi-night stay, is the Govt rate available for _any_ night of the stay? If so, perhaps you can book some nights at the Govt rate, then apply the DSU, then add nights to the existing reservation.