josephstern

Effectively: "We're now an even smaller chain in comparison to our closest competitor SPG, so we're increasing requirements to get meaningful status."

Makes no sense to me.

phant0m

Yeah that's a big hit to me

howtofreetravel

Breakfast only up to 2 people now...

antonius66

Ok after reading the update on the One Mile at a Time blog...I am in. Sounds good to me overall. I also like the free cat 7 cert in March as a thanks, plus the little bonus for staying at brands in the form of another cat 4 cert (nice since I never got anything for 25 hotels or 50 hotels... ). Basically sounds like my major concerns were unfounded and the benefits are all additive. I also like no resort fees on PAID stays...that is a nice touch. DSUs on award stays are also nice.

I will say, two people for breakfast is a negative, although in practice currently when I pay for 2 rooms, I always get the benefit on each room, so I would hope hotels would continue to do that since it wasn't spelled out before and isn't now. If I pay for two rooms and bring another couple of friends on a trip but they don't get breakfast, then it pretty much negates my benefit entirely so hopefully that doesn't become an issue.

Getting DSUs when you qualify...nice. Having them expire 12 months from when you earn them...not nice. That's a weird balance you might have to achieve. You might want or need them to be good for later and that would create an odd situation. You hit 60 nights in May but have a trip planned for next July and want to use a DSU but they will have expired by then...

Requalifying only requires 55 nights? If that is permanent year over year, this is a GREAT upgrade to the program for me overall. Personally, none of this is world beating, but overall on balance I find these changes to be absolutely GREAT for me. A true enhancement, not a UA type 'enhancement'. A few very minor negatives like losing 2500 points for closed clubs, and 2 adults 2 kids breakfast (although as I said, I am hopeful that will play out differently in practice as it does now), but a large set of additions and improvements.

I guess if you only qualify on 25 stays and barely more nights, you lose, but for those who actually do nights, this is a great improvement. I will miss the ability to get in on stays, which I have done in years past, but haven't for a few years so I can live without it, especially if that is the price of the improvements.

Oh one more thing...Hyatt PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE change the STUPID NAMES.

dw

Exactly.

What's confusing to me is... having over the years achieved status with both SPG and Marriott and then having moved on to other chains... their new footprint has actually gotten me to book quite a few stays over the past few weeks because sometimes location really is the most important for me, for both work and leisure travel.

I'm somewhat dumbfounded that Hyatt would be making these changes now, as many would argue they are now a much weaker competitor against the big three/four.

IncyWincy

Agree.

Coining those words is a bad idea .

Extremists...terrorists...

josephstern

Better than the previous 50 nights to qualify?

Markie

As someone who qualifies on stays, I may have to find another board to moderate!

clublevel15

Question: Does the Explorist upgrade for 4 nights to the lounge or for 4 stays (for example 1 stays with 14 nights, 1 with 7 night, 1 with x night and a last one) or during a holiday stay just 4 nights from the 14 nights???

austin_modern

2500 for closed lounge is gone. Boo.

Any update on welcome amenity vs. points with the new program? The One Mile at a Time blog helped answer tons of questions, which is nice.

antonius66

Yes. If the price of the upgrades is 5 more nights? This is GREAT since I thought it was going to be 60 every year. Stay 5 more nights and you will give me a free night in a cat 4 and another in a cat 7? So....spend 5 more nights and you give me 2 back? Plus the other improvements? ABSOLUTELY.

exmike

What will the Andaz Maui do now to nickel an dime their guests now that Globalists don't pay resort or parking fees?

jason8612

I would love to see something different for "foreign" members. Being based in Europe and with almost no Hyatt presence (nothing in Poland, Hungary, and most neighboring countries, or some random PH Vienna where it's just a ridiculous night rate) bassically will make me move to any other program. Heck, Best Western has a better presence in Europe!

Mary2e

Well considering that I spend at least 10 days in Waikiki each year, and sometimes 20, the parking benefit will save me a bundle and go a long way toward doing extra mattress runs for the nights. But I still have to do the math.

josephstern

Seriously.

It'd be nice if, as part of these 'enhancements,' they were stricter with properties that evade the rules.