iahphx

So I've just requalified for Globalist status (yay, me). The Hyatt loyalty program is excellent, and I'm happy I've requalified, but one perk they give you for getting to 60 nights always annoys me a little: you only get 6 months to use your new Category 1-7 certificate. And these are generally the WORST six months to get: it's generally after summer, and before next summer. So most Globalists will have to use it during the winter months. Is this intentional? I can't think of any other reason why Hyatt would only give you 6 months to use this very valuable certificate, instead of the 12 month expiration that is common in the program and common in other loyalty programs. Why would they want to "punish" their Globalists like this? It's kinda mean. Last year, I remember asking for a month's extension to use my certificate on a winter trip to Hawaii, and my conceirge said no -- and it was still during the pandemic!

antonius66

Breakage. We can close this thread now.

coleslaw

This.

js1993

Which other programs give such a certificate after reaching their highest level?

Hyatt doesn't want every Globalist trying to use these during the same peak times.

Visconti

I'm fine with 6 months, now that the pandemic is truly in fact in the rear view mirror this time around. I'd rather see the free night be a Cat 1-8.

coleslaw

This is the bigger drawback, particularly after many of the "good value" Cat 7 properties went up to Cat 8 earlier this year. It's significantly devalued the Cat 1-7 for me.

Visconti

Right, off the top of my head, it's like virtually all of the PHs? I mean, while I appreciate many here found the PH NY underwhelming, it's still a better free night redemption than the Cat 7s (I can't even think of any since they were all PHs stepped up to 8?). A one night stopover in Midtown is incredibly handy and useful.

I'm kind of surprised they haven't adjusted the free night to include the Cat 8s.

coleslaw

Pretty much all the PHs that were 7s are now 8s (NY, Paris, Milan, Kyoto, Niseko, Sydney). The only PH of note that's remained a 7 is Tokyo.

Most of the Cat 7s in the US/CA right now are "Destination by Hyatt Residence" which I would barely consider as being hotels.

js1993

I'm not, after Hyatt gave away mountains of points and a ~30-night path to 60 EQN in the 2021 promos, which resulted in a glut of Globalists and points.

I could see it going to Cat 1-8 next year if reaching "full" Globalist is as hard as it was pre-Covid. More likely, I'd expect Hyatt to copy the "top up" scheme other program(s) have implemented, in which a Cat 1-7 plus __ points would get you a Cat 8 room.

(By the way, welcome back. Long time, no see here.)

Visconti

I suppose, if I ever find myself a part of a tour group that uses the PH Tokyo, I could possibly knock off one night. I guess, for the Destination thing, only purpose would be to use it to meet one of the 5 stay for a free night things.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from here--here's to hoping once we've returned to some semblance of normalcy, they'll amend this to a Cat 1-8. Thanks for the welcome back! Appreciate it!

Troopers

I'm cool with 6 months...it's half of the allotted time to achieve 60 nights. Surely, if one can achieve 60 nights in 12 months, one can benefit one free night in 6 months.

PDXpress

I've also wondered if that calendar timing is intentional or just happenstance. I really struggled to find a good use for it last November-May. It would have been easy over the summer.

Colin

doesn’t bother me that can’t use Cat7 cert at prestige properties because i’m not likely to be at those properties only for a one-night stay and thus would be using a TSU. i view all free night certs as being for one-night stays on road trips or at airport hotels.

iahphx

I kind of think it's "bad luck" that most Globalists certificates will expire before summer, but I don't know. Obviously, if you want to use it at a resort, your options in North America become more limited given the timetable. Last winter, I was actually headed to Hawaii in January, but I earned the certificate so early because they doubled the earnings. This year, I'd like to use it at a Costa Rican resort, but I won't get there until spring. With any luck, I'll get to a Caribbean resort before that. Last year, I had to "burn" my certificate at the Alila in Encinitas, which was a decent experience, but not a hotel I would have chosen (in late fall) had I had more time to use it.

Matt4200

I agree with others that 6 months is sufficient time to use the certificate.

I would again agree with others that due to most desirable properties being changed to a Category 8 it would be only fitting to create and provide a Category 1-8 Certificate for the 60 Night Milestone. It would also be more fitting as well having a Category 1-4 Certificate and a Category 1-8 Certificate both covering 4 categories. Though it still would not be applicable at Miraval or most AI’s.