AA Concierge Key...Don't Waste Your Time
May 20, 2019, 9:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AA CK; Marriott Plt Prm
Posts: 10
AA Concierge Key...Don't Waste Your Time
Did the AA Concierge Key match to Globalist. Haven't stayed at a Hyatt in 25+ years. Was looking forward to a great experience. WRONG. First stay is at Hyatt Regency O'Hare. No upgrade. No view. Stick with Marriott. Totally bogus match program!
May 20, 2019, 9:20 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Great - stay with Marriott. It sucks and they killed off the Starwood magic.
BTW most Hyatts in Chicago are sold out tonight...but sure, a single night data points proves your hypothesis.
BTW most Hyatts in Chicago are sold out tonight...but sure, a single night data points proves your hypothesis.
May 20, 2019, 9:42 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
I agree a single data point proves nothing especially the O’hare Hyatt.
May 21, 2019, 7:06 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
1. These are coveted high margin customers. It’s good business for Hyatt to go after them. A successful Hyatt in its roughly current (and generous) form is good for us.
2. With all the new properties AND the lack of mass status matching (especially with free TSUs) AND the elimination of the 25 stay crowd there is room to strategically grow the program and not degrade benefits.
When I status matched over from Starwood (along with probably 20,000+ others) I got 4 TSUs on day one. This is a much smaller group (but far more potentially valuable) and they are getting, at most, two.
3. Finally, as we’ve just seen demonstrated.... this is a finicky, demanding customer base with existing loyalty patterns (many are already Globs) and its not like they are just going to rush in and take all our upgrades - nor are they going to suddenly dedicate themselves to Hyatt.
If Hyatt picks up a few thousand CKs as loyal customers that will be great for Hyatt and barely noticeable to the rest of us. If anything, if this guy is any indication, we will have some new (and wonderfully grumpy) curmudgeons pushing for better TSU availability and more generous lounge offerings as “compensation” for the burden of accepting the small footprint.
Last edited by txhyattlvr; May 21, 2019 at 7:14 am
May 21, 2019, 12:19 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Posts: 4,914
Not sure who you are or why you are replying to me? Maybe you're a a "rah rah Marriott!" type, I don't know or don't really care.
I am burning off points and SNAs and am doing Marriott stays as a last possible report. After averaging ~$18K of revenue for 9 years running pre-merger, I'll probably end this year at about $2,500 (most of that early Jan before I gave up on Marriott and switched to Hyatt).
Marriott: To Big To (Not) Fail
I am burning off points and SNAs and am doing Marriott stays as a last possible report. After averaging ~$18K of revenue for 9 years running pre-merger, I'll probably end this year at about $2,500 (most of that early Jan before I gave up on Marriott and switched to Hyatt).
Marriott: To Big To (Not) Fail
.apologies if it came off that way.
Last edited by myperks; May 21, 2019 at 12:24 pm
May 21, 2019, 12:24 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Think Hyatt can work for many of "us" in this forum for the vast majority of stays...but yes, once in a while a stay at a crappy CY may be in order (I had one last month). Doesn't make me a Marriott "customer"...
May 21, 2019, 12:45 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
I tried Hilton Diamond.... what a let down that was.... and a reminder of how spoiled I am at Hyatt. But Hyatt isn't Four Seasons and isn't perfect. Just WAY better than Hilton Diamond or even Marriott Plutonium/Titanium whatever they call it IMHO.....
May 21, 2019, 1:14 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
I think that Hyatt has the best loyalty program. Other hotels are certainly better at other things, so, people should choose accordingly depending on their priorities.
May 21, 2019, 3:36 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
While Marriott IT, service failures, downgrade of Ambassador program, erasing of Starwood treatment, etc. caused me to leave, I also have now realized that Globalist is the best top tier status level out there, bar none. Marriott Ambassador takes more nights and $20K spend, and you really don't get much benefit above Titanium.
May 23, 2019, 2:12 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
But I still use this hotel.
Last edited by GUWonder; May 23, 2019 at 2:20 am
May 23, 2019, 2:19 am
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
The assumption that holders of a high tier are 'coveted high margin customers' is simply wrong. High margin customers are those that are (1) regular and (2) price inelastic. Your statement would be true if there were a high spend requirement to achieve and maintain Globalist (say $50,000 per annum). As it is, there are too many mattress-surfers and status-matched members.
May 23, 2019, 5:59 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,161
People who spend at CK levels with AA (including substantial premium cabin) and are high margin at AA (the real core requirement to BE a CK) are very likely to be high margin hotel consumers, as well. Is this true 100% of the time? No. But is there a better group for Hyatt to pursue? Doubtful.
May 23, 2019, 6:44 am
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Love it when someone who openly describes themselves as “Elite” can’t even bother to read the entire message before responding.... or worse, comprehend it.
People who spend at CK levels with AA (including substantial premium cabin) and are high margin at AA (the real core requirement to BE a CK) are very likely to be high margin hotel consumers, as well. Is this true 100% of the time? No. But is there a better group for Hyatt to pursue? Doubtful.