jpdx

Speaking as someone who's completely flexible when and where I travel, there's zero chance that it'll be all terrible. There will always be values.

The way Marriott implemented Peak dates is much worse than what Hyatt is proposing. Any day of the year can be Peak, fluctuating with demand (so it's really the first step toward dynamic pricing). But Marriott wasn't happy with just introducing Peak dates, they had to screw their members further: (a) SPG 5th night free awards used to give the last night free (even if it was Peak), but Marriott now gives the lowest night for free (meaning that even if you have 1 night Low, 3 Standard, and 1 Peak, the Low night is free and you'll pay the Peak surcharge). (b) Free night certificates from credit cards no longer work for Peak dates.

But even with Marriott's more sinister implementation of Peak dates, there is value. For instance, I was just in Japan, during what arguably is a legitimate Peak season (fall colors). Some hotels inexplicably had Low rates. Also, these rates appear to be loaded by humans, so there are mistakes: Westin Tokyo had lots of Peak dates, but they had somehow managed to classify Saturday nights (by far the priciest in Japan, due to staycations) as Low.

Sure, this will sting a little bit for those who have to travel during certain times, but for those of us who have a lot of flexibility and play different programs, I don't think it'll be a big deal.

OhDoctor

Basically an excuse to add Category 9 award pricing without being upfront about it. Huge devaluation.

iflyjetz

Yep. Posters will be more negative about this after it's implemented.

Markie

Like lots of travel companies, the question is what it will look like in 2 years time, or 5 years. If Hyatt created a new category and moved properties there, I think people would be unhappy. If they do that by introducing peak awards and then slowly increasing the margin that peak requires over standard awards, will the same annoyance occur?

United has recently moved to a points based system away from certificates. It's all on a par now, but point inflation is easier for consumers to bear than taking away a certificate, when you only get 6.

I am sure there is a psychology at play here

Matt4200

What do you think are the odds that on the same day this goes into effect properties do their annual Category Increase/Decrease?

In 2019 all Category changes were finalized on March 18th, which is fairly close to the expected date in 2020 for the Peak and Off-Peak changes.

Imagine you’re planning to stay at a Cat 2 Property for 7 nights over the summer. It changes to a Cat 3 with yearly changes and on top of that your trip is considered “Peak”.

Meaning rather than 56k points for your 7 night vacation, it’s now 105k points for that same 7 night vacation.

That’s a lot to take in all at once.

Matt4200

Interesting note -

I contacted my Globalist Concierge and Hyatt Concierge via Twitter asking the exact date these changes would go into effect. Both advised that all the information they’ve been given is that they’ll go into effect in March 2020, no exact date so it feels like it’ll be on the same date as the Category Changes.

cvseuy

Bump.There is a few weeks before March, that you can redeem awards before peak/off-peak pricing is introduced at the start of next month (No exact dates).

Remember that if the price ends up going down, you will get refunded the difference. If the price goes up, Hyatt will honor the old rate unless you make changes to the reservation.

Matt4200

So what’s the general feeling about this?

Are most dreading it or are you excited about it?

Personally, I’m dreading it because I like the program as is, even though I believe I’ll ultimately benefit from it.

aCavalierInCoach

Dreading. As a Marriott refugee, I've seen this movie and it will result in a devaluation of point values -- just a question of how much. The existence of the off-peak awards will not, I am sure, come close to off-setting the increased awards at peak times for the vast majority of users.

txhyattlvr

It won’t be as bad as Marriott or Hilton simply because Hyatt has to offer something over those two, in particular, in order to offset the footprint issue - and they know this.

For people who can use points mostly during off peak times (yay - me!) it will be a net positive... and similarly negative for those locked into peak times...

Depending on how the economy does, I would not be surprised to see revenue requirements (base points) in order to earn/maintain Globalist status come in the next year or two.

HoustonConsultant

As someone locked into vacation travel around kids' school schedules for the next 10+ years, I'm fully expecting to be negatively impacted.

Zelucifer

I think that's incredibly unlikely, unless the Pritzker family sells there controlling interest. The fact that they have control has allowed them to prioritize long term gains, as opposed to the short term gains many other loyalty programs have sought.

RedSun

Have we had any answers about impact on reward nights? Cat 1-4 and Cat 1-7?

Matt4200

No impact it’s on Hyatt’s page. As long as a Standard Room is available.

RedSun

Thx. That is what concerns me.