WoH 2023 Category Changes to Take Effect on Mar 28
Mar 1, 23, 1:28 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Stilllwater OK (SWO)
Programs: AAdvantage ExecPlat, World of Hyatt Globalist, plain "member" of Marriott, IHG, enterprise, etc.
Posts: 1,627
I like seeing HC Beale Street move from 4 to 3. I enjoy staying there when I am out that way and 3 is more appropriate. The DFW full service properties and more local hotels to me that I end up burning a lot of points at aren't changing, except for that worn down, 20 feet from the highway offramp, HP in Rogers AR which is moving up to cat 2 (definitely won't compete when for that I can stay at the newer, nicer HP Fayetteville).
The 'aspirational' resorts and vacation hotels are taking a beating with this. If your strategy is to collect points on work travel (wherever) to then redeem for high-flying vacations, this is a devaluation.
The Andaz 5th avenue move up is a disappointment. Heaven forbid Hyatt (or any other hotel program) not charge a fat premium for pt redemptions in Manhattan. And I will never understand how HC Key West is as crazy expensive as it is.
I am actually feeling a bit of relief seeing this. A lot of the middle-of-the-line vacation hotels I've been at the last several years and want to return to soon are staying the same. I don't need to make any panic decisions to avoid the recategorizations.
The 'aspirational' resorts and vacation hotels are taking a beating with this. If your strategy is to collect points on work travel (wherever) to then redeem for high-flying vacations, this is a devaluation.
The Andaz 5th avenue move up is a disappointment. Heaven forbid Hyatt (or any other hotel program) not charge a fat premium for pt redemptions in Manhattan. And I will never understand how HC Key West is as crazy expensive as it is.
I am actually feeling a bit of relief seeing this. A lot of the middle-of-the-line vacation hotels I've been at the last several years and want to return to soon are staying the same. I don't need to make any panic decisions to avoid the recategorizations.
Last edited by MarkOK; Mar 1, 23 at 1:44 pm
Mar 1, 23, 1:32 pm
#33
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN Companion Pass, A-list preferred, Hyatt Globalist; United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 21,268
After a recent exceptional stay at barefootmantafiji.com I am persuaded that getting a good cash deal is better than trying to optimize point values unless you need to stay in a city.
Back on topic, the elevation of Mar Monte to Cat 6 is as sad as the hotel itself. The staff there are great, as is the location, but the rest is worthy of Cat 1 or 2.
Mar 1, 23, 1:43 pm
#34
formerly a193991
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Zulu Romeo Hotel
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist; LX SEN (*A Gold), AA LTG
Posts: 4,287
In a nutshell…. All „Hype“ places, such as Key West, Moab, Carmel area go up; and all luxury hotels (PH) in expensive cities (ZRH, VIE, PAR) jump to Cat 8.
Palm Springs which is hype, too, seems to be an exception… surprised not seeing the Hyatt Dump jump to Cat 7 (sarcasm)
Palm Springs which is hype, too, seems to be an exception… surprised not seeing the Hyatt Dump jump to Cat 7 (sarcasm)
Mar 1, 23, 1:45 pm
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 11,764
As everybody complains about this, take a second to think about Marriott, Hilton and IHG, where you don't have this annual event because points prices are increased on a daily basis.
Make your bookings as needed under the current categories, then get back to looking for sweetspots in the last major category-based hotel program...
Make your bookings as needed under the current categories, then get back to looking for sweetspots in the last major category-based hotel program...
Mar 1, 23, 2:22 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 42
Mar 1, 23, 2:26 pm
#37
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,409
Stayed there as a Globalist last Spring and totally agree. A cinder block meetings hotel with average rooms, noisy a/c and indifferent staff (except for the restaurant). Paying Park Hyatt prices for a Centric because of the location and nothing more. Management has been trying to rid itself of pesky loyalty freeloaders and is now likely to succeeding doing so.
Mar 1, 23, 3:42 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,758
Expected but still sucks. Bad for me as properties I love and would like to try going up
HR Qingdao (I stayed 30+ nights here last yr on points!)GH BKKPH BKKPH SaigonGH BaliHR BaliGH HaitengPH Sanya
To be expected so can't complain but unfortunate. The ones dropping that I might stay at aren't really compelling like HR Suzhou (thr PH is next door and my favorite property)
HR Qingdao (I stayed 30+ nights here last yr on points!)GH BKKPH BKKPH SaigonGH BaliHR BaliGH HaitengPH Sanya
To be expected so can't complain but unfortunate. The ones dropping that I might stay at aren't really compelling like HR Suzhou (thr PH is next door and my favorite property)
Mar 1, 23, 4:00 pm
#41
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: PHL
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 1,179
I am genuinely baffled as to how the Hyatt Key West is a category 8 hotel. You already were prohibited from using TSUs at this property (they don't have real suites anyway), and now you can't use a 1-7 cert either. Aside from the location, I've always found this place absurdly overpriced and lacking any worthwhile amenities.
On a separate note, this may lead me to finally stop chasing Globalist status as they continue to expand 1-7 exclusions and make points bookings less feasible. The people who still talk about Globalist as the best thing since sliced bread are still living in 2013.
On a separate note, this may lead me to finally stop chasing Globalist status as they continue to expand 1-7 exclusions and make points bookings less feasible. The people who still talk about Globalist as the best thing since sliced bread are still living in 2013.
Mar 1, 23, 4:08 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 16,123
Hyatt Regency Vancouver is going from Cat 3 to Cat 4! Damn it! This was one of my favorite redemption in Canada!
My Cat 1-4 FNC is really starting to feel useless.
Wow, that is a lot of very unfortunate changes.
GH Kauai and The Cape going to Category 7 really sucks, Cat 1-4 continues to be devalued with CAA / Eliza Jane / HP Moab / PH Saigon / GH Seoul & Jeju gone. Carmel Valley Ranch and the Alila Marea also really don’t deserve to be Category 8…
GH Kauai and The Cape going to Category 7 really sucks, Cat 1-4 continues to be devalued with CAA / Eliza Jane / HP Moab / PH Saigon / GH Seoul & Jeju gone. Carmel Valley Ranch and the Alila Marea also really don’t deserve to be Category 8…
Mar 1, 23, 4:12 pm
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 16,123
As everybody complains about this, take a second to think about Marriott, Hilton and IHG, where you don't have this annual event because points prices are increased on a daily basis.
Make your bookings as needed under the current categories, then get back to looking for sweetspots in the last major category-based hotel program...
Make your bookings as needed under the current categories, then get back to looking for sweetspots in the last major category-based hotel program...
Mar 1, 23, 4:19 pm
#45
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,253
For Europe, I actually prefer staying near the train station at the Andaz in VIE over the city center. The HR ZRH airport is one of the best bargains in town, while the PH is obscenely overpriced and everything else in central ZRH is just horribly dated and cramped. No need to stay in the city center when you can walk across the street from the hotel to the station be in the center in 15-20 minutes by train.
