SportsTech

8+ year Diamond, LT SPG Plat. Requalified on my own dime last couple years after 6-7 years of corp travel qualification. I'm likely gone completely from Hyatt after I burn off next year; I'm semi-retired now, would requal on stays (at nice hotels btw) but not nights.

Has anyone else noticed this requirement: $50K spend to get Platinum (whatever it is in the new nomenclature, I'm not that interested) next year? That will dramatically cut down on the number of Platinums and, presumably, allow Hyatt to reward future Platinums more handsomely than appears to be the plan at this point. Guessing Chase is gone after this new program comes in, too; the benefits to a card-based elite simply aren't good enough. I'll go to the HHonors Amex, I suspect - or maybe just go with Chase UR.

To those who don't think the benefits have been cut - this has a huge impact on a Stay-qualifying Diamond. No club room upgrade mean I'm going elsewhere; the 4 "CSU" certs are a joke compared to every other program with a 25 stay top tier requirement (even compared Gold status at HHonors and Marriott, 2 generally terrible programs). No DSU's mean no vacation benefits whatsoever. Why would I bother? Me leaving will only cost Hyatt $5-7K/year but that's (profitable) revenue Zidell et al didn't have to lose.

carrotjuice

Am I right to think that Explorist is the sweet spot? Previously Platinums barely get anything special, now they get 4 Club Lounge passes?

frogss29

I hope Lifetime Diamond/Globalist stays the same......18 months to 2 years to go until I reach that.
If the rules for that change I doubt I will be seeking Hyatt properties out anymore.
There are just too many other choices........not just chains but boutique hotels too.

conde

Thanks for your input, Hailstorm...

After reviewing the new Terms and Conditions, that is what I read too. I thought that credit card spend would be viewed by Hyatt as a way to earn status, analogous to paid nights or base points. Apparently, that is not the case. Starwood viewed spend on the American Express SPG credit card as earned status (as opposed to the American Express Platinum, where status was given automatically).

I am not in love with Hyatt properties, however if there were an opportunity for better benefits, I would consider investing more stays and/or spend in the new Hyatt loyalty program. There is no way I would stay at Hyatt for 30 paid nights for what they offer. Never mind 55-60 nights for Globalist.

I will likely keep my US Chase Hyatt CC for $75 annually, as it has been a perfect backup cc. 1 Night Free, with no required spend.

4aks

Any indication that reward stays will count towards the 60 nights? They do in Hilton

notquiteaff

That's my thinking, too. For me Diamond was out of reach. I don't like to hotel hop. Platinum wasn't worth even thinking about (neither is Discoverist for me). But my 35-ish nights this year with 9 or so stays will get me more than Plat benefits next year.

But do note that the requirements for Explorist are a lot higher than for Platinum, so many people with Plat status likely aren't going to get there. I know I likely won't be able to renew after next year. I'll try to make good use of the four club awards, though.

ZBigFam

No sorry was one post off, her blog is saying we can qualify on stays Jan - Feb 2017.

sfozrhfco

No.

Kacee

No not worth 30 nights. Weaker mid-tier status than Hilton or Marriott, and 30 nights can get you SPG Plat (25 stays). Unless Hyatt is a natural choice based on location, most will be better off directing those 30 nights to a different program.

JackE

It's a lot more than 55 nights at Hyatt. Keep in mind that under this new program there will be, what, 3 nights getting to top tier, assuming stays at 5 brands. Then you have to DO something with those points you've accumulated since it makes no sense to accumulate them forever.

So WOH assumes you'll be sleeping at Hyatts around 65 or 70 nights a year, not 55.

OsakaWino

Exactly. Plat meant very little, but it was attainable with as few as 5 nights a year. Of the current Plats, I think a lot more are going to end up as "Members" than Explorists, although if Hyatt is lucky the bulk will fall into Discoverists.

But you are also very correct that Explorist now gives those Plats who could never make Diamond something to aspire to. Previously there was no reason for a Plat to go out of the way to stay at Hyatt once the 5 stays were achieved, thus netting the 2 pm checkout and premium internet.

Now, while the bar for Explorist is a bit high at 30 nights, the 4 Club upgrades could be of very good value at some properties, the Churchill in London and GH Hong Kong come to mind.

notquiteaff

Depends on your stay pattern. I will get to 30+ nights with Hyatt this year, but be far below 25 stays. Hotel hopping isn't how I want to spend my vacation, and my employer wouldn't appreciate it either when I am traveling on OPM.

And I do have mid tier status in several other programs via other means (UA Gold and Amex Plat and IHG CC).

OsakaWino

The new program promises Globalists upgrade to a standard suite if available at checkin on every stay.

Has no one as a Diamond ever had difficulty just trying to get the best available room at some properties (HR Incheon comes to mind)?

Does anyone think that those properties that were stingy in giving Diamonds the best available room are now going to be generous in handing out suites?

And how about those properties that have been so inventive in finding ways to refuse the use of DSUs? Does anyone think they are now going to be happy to just give the suite away at checkin? Especially for multi-night stays.

It is going to especially difficult at those properties that do not list their suites on Hyatt.com, since you can't just open up your phone and prove that a suite is available.

notquiteaff

I've never understood how one could possibly verify that the best possible room was actually given.

CWAnderson

This is my 12th year qualifying for diamond status having had great times at great properties throughout those years, not to mention meeting some of the very best people working at those Hyatt properties. Hyatt has always been my favorite, and I've never been shy about spreading the good word. I'll remember fondly for example the great FNF bonuses that made for great vacations for my family at places like Hawaii and Key West. I'll remember back when the website worked just about every time you logged in. This came as a total shock today, My loyalty with Hyatt is sadly soon going to be just a memory as I move over to something that makes sense.