I usually welcome Diva's comments, but I do not agree with her in this situation. I am with you on this one, Bas.

Let us not forget that Hyatt already has begun "tightening the rules."

Although perhaps tangential to this discussion, there is the impending closure of the lounges to Diamonds at non-North American properties if the hotel says so.

Second, there is the decision by many of the front desk staff and the Gold Passport staff to now advise you that bonus points cannot be earned on PLN stays -- YMMV, but further abuse -- or reporting instances to the contrary on this board will certainly ruin it for good.

There was the "rumor" that PLN bookings are no longer being offered so readily at various hotels -- Park Hyatt LA and Park Hyatt SF, come to mind, although the other recently seems to have popped up again, but at a much higher price point insuring that you may get another hotel if you bid for it, and that ultra cheapies can no longer get it, at all. Maybe that is not such a bad thing after all.

All I am saying is that too much abuse, coupled with the brazen and blatant reporting of same might very well insure not only your own loss, but for others, as well.

I am all for trying to obtain a good price for a property, and a Hyatt at that, but I temper my stays and good fortune by plowing money back into the hotel -- and into my Gold Passport points account, as well -- by spending a little green at the properties. You have to eat, and not only is a dining charge guaranteed to appear on your bill and therefore trigger a "stay" for any and all purposes you may wish, but it also serves to fatten your GP account while assisting the hotel with its bottom line.

I know that Diva spends a great deal of $$ on FFN/Award stays as she has written, as much. What worries me, are all those who commence a race to the bottom, thereby ruining it for everyone, including themselves.

Exercise some diginity and some restraint and we will not see this great program radically altered. :-:

NJUPINTHEAIR – I respectfully disagree with your post because it assumes that you fully understand Hyatt’s intentions behind FFN, and GP in general. You then assume that they have unintentionally left loopholes that we may be exploiting.

I would point out that what chobby100 is considering is, in my opinion, permitted under the program rules (if he is using an eligible rate.) This is not a whole lot different from hopping from hotel to hotel in a single city to accumulate more stays. Of course this is also allowed under the program rules, and Hyatt knows there are fanatics like us who will do this.

If I were in chobby 100's position, and Hyatt didn't let me do what he is thinking, I would check into the local Sheraton every other day. This would maximize my FFNs and overall benefits, but reduce revenue to Hyatt.

Of more concern should be benefits that are being extended when the program clearly states otherwise. I have suggested before that we try to keep these things under the radar, but when Hyatt allows “stretching” of any rules, it becomes a major topic of discussion here.

I think those of us posting here represent such a miniscule part of HGP that they are happy to let us enjoy FFN as it is written, and even bend some of the rules. The word of mouth publicity we provide is probably worth it to them. And let’s not forget the number of nights and money we still spend at Hyatt to earn the FFN’s. (After all, a Priceline stay still generates revenue for Hyatt.)

Diva,

As always, I appreciate your comments and thoughts.

We differ on the extent that some individuals are willing to drop $$ at the hotel in addition to the miniscule revenue generated by a PLN stay -- at some properties. To be sure, $100+ for a PLN stay at a resort in HI, for example, is nothing to sneer about even if the going rates are in excess of twice that amount, or more.

However, rates of less than $50 are quite another thing all together.

I wish I could be as confident as you that many people dump extra $$ into the hotel after securing their PLN reservations, but reading this board, as well as Biddingfortravel.com and others makes me think otherwise.

In fact, one of my guilty pleasures is reading the comments made by some of those on Biddingfortravel with respect to various properties -- not only Hyatts -- and their reviews of same. Actually, I find it quite humourous to read that certain people have complained about the lighting in a room at a certain hotel that they just obtained at the princely sum of $42 in the Wine Country. Others digress about how a hotel was appropriately rated as a 3 :-: because it did not have this additional amenity or that. Or that a certain hotel had the nerve to charge $10 for parking!!

So, I am not so sanguine that many spend a great deal of $$ in addition to their PLN fees. Although I will agree with you, that the assumption of Hyatt and the hotel is that they will make up for that shortfall in room revenue with the extra charges they presume will be spent by the guest.

Moreover, although I once believed that we were just a drop in the bucket, certain things have led me to believe that there are many, many more lurkers out there than you expect. Not only are we listed as #2 in hits (I believe that is what Randy said), but you need look no further than the SPAM forum to note what occurs when a good thing gets out of hand -- IPODS, nmonitors, etc. All of a sudden, non-posters came out of the woodwork.

What makes you think that those individuals were drawn to that particular forum? I tend to believe that many just lurk and apply the results discussed herein -- Just like I do with respect to BiddingforTravel.com.

And I, for one, have demonstrated that I am not one who is recalcitrant in posting his thoughts.

Therefore, although I respect your opinion, I believe that your view of the scope of this problem is incorrect and that Bas and others are absolutley right to voice their fears and warnings of taking a good thing and going too far with it. :eek: