Award to FFN conversion?
Sep 19, 2009 | 1:19 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Francisco (Marin County), CA
Programs: UA Lifetime 1K, LH Senator, SQ PPS Solitaire, Hyatt Courtesy Card
Posts: 3,031
This thread is a bummer.
I'm with mary2e, SanDiego1K, holtju and others here, and opposed to the concept of the original poster.
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
I'm with mary2e, SanDiego1K, holtju and others here, and opposed to the concept of the original poster.
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
Sep 19, 2009 | 2:11 pm
#32
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: LAX-- But I'd rather be on Brokeback Mountain. United 1K! Other
Programs: RCC,HHonors Diamond,HGVC Elite,SPG Plat,Hyatt Diamond,Nat'l Emerald Exec Elite, Disney Premier Pass
Posts: 2,472
Abolutely; complete hogwash.
The ability to convert award stays from points to FFN's and the ability to reserve award stays in advance are benefits allowed by HGP, and one that is frequently used by their best customers (those with the most points). To change this would be a reduction in benefits, pure and simple. And would be to the advantage of guests who stay less, earn less, and spend less with Hyatt for the most part.
The idea is ludicrous.
The ability to convert award stays from points to FFN's and the ability to reserve award stays in advance are benefits allowed by HGP, and one that is frequently used by their best customers (those with the most points). To change this would be a reduction in benefits, pure and simple. And would be to the advantage of guests who stay less, earn less, and spend less with Hyatt for the most part.
The idea is ludicrous.
Sep 19, 2009 | 2:27 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Monte Sereno, California
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA EXP, 2 mm, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,405
I agree the program is excellent the way it is now. I would stay less at Hyatt if they took this away. During the FFN program I make it a point to just stay at Hyatt's because of the flexibility of the awards to books in advance, and the conversion of reservation made with points. In the end Hyatt gets a lot more of my $$.
This thread is a bummer.
I'm with mary2e, SanDiego1K, holtju and others here, and opposed to the concept of the original poster.
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
I'm with mary2e, SanDiego1K, holtju and others here, and opposed to the concept of the original poster.
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
Sep 19, 2009 | 2:28 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Houston
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond, UA 1.56MM (fmr UA1K)
Posts: 5,774
....
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
Don't fix what ain't broken. FFN has been going on for many, many years now, and the ability to plan in advance is crucial. I don't think anyone should have to risk that they stay a bunch at Hyatt in order to earn FFN's and then have to gamble as to whether they can in fact use their FFNs as desired. Let people have that data opoint up front - by allowing them to book FFNs in advance and/or do conversions.
Please point me in the direction of these $60 stays?
Sep 19, 2009 | 2:37 pm
#35
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,594
Also as noted earlier I am by far more concerned by the following
9. Must I wait until the free night award has posted to my account or may I call reservations now and reserve the room in advance?
Yes, you are able to make reservations utilizing these awards anytime after October 1, 2009. Please mention that you will be using The Next Big Thing free night award.
Yes, you are able to make reservations utilizing these awards anytime after October 1, 2009. Please mention that you will be using The Next Big Thing free night award.
Sep 19, 2009 | 3:10 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: LH HON, DL FO/MM, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Accor Lifetime Platinum, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 6,174
It is an award well deserved.
Sep 19, 2009 | 3:24 pm
#38
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SoCal/ Central Europe
Programs: AA EXP/DL PLT/UA GLD/HY GL/HH GLD
Posts: 22,438
Why would someone who's planning a vacation using points, and in the interim period accumulates FFNs, not want to convert over? Afterall, points don't expire whereas FFNs do. As long as the GP member has enough points to make the original reservation, I don't have a problem with it. And if a GP memebr has enough points to make the original award reservation with points and then is able to switch it over with accumulated FFNs, then THEY ARE loyal Hyatt customers.
Sep 19, 2009 | 7:14 pm
#39
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 11,594
The points sit in your account for a reason: You need to stay at Hyatt first in order to accumulate those points. As long as you're able to secure the room through some means derived from actually staying at Hyatt in the past, I don't see any problem at all.
It is an award well deserved.
It is an award well deserved.
Sep 19, 2009 | 10:55 pm
#40
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,981
[QUOTE=Renard;12406684]Please point me in the direction of these $60 stays?
You just have to live in the right city and look. There are a few every weekend. I'm sure there will be a thread soon that will save you the time of looking. So before you roll your eye's at some one, you should do your home work. It might save you some $$$ on this years four FFN stays.
Sep 20, 2009 | 12:39 am
#41
Join Date: Jun 2006
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Gold,IHG Plat Amb, CC Gold, Kimpton IC, United, AA, BA, Amtrak G.R.
Posts: 446
a question!!
As a person who has a nice amount of GP points in my account but not nearly enough to book, for example, a 6 night stay at Kauai, is it possible (and is it fair) to be able to call up reservations and make a reservation on Oct. 1st for a 6 night award stay (without the 108k points in my account)
in the hope/plan to earn 6 FFN b/t Oct 1st. and Jan. 31st for a March 2010 stay in Kauai??
From my P.O.V, if I could not "hold" that 6 day stay, I would have much less incentive to have 12 stays at Hyatt. If I had to earn my 6 FFN first, by the time I complete those 12 stays, the dates I would want in March might be long gone and then I would have some FFN that might be much less valuable for my purposes.
If I can only make a reservation with enough points in my account, then I would never be able to really take advantage of FFN the way I think would be most benefincial to my long range planning.
in the hope/plan to earn 6 FFN b/t Oct 1st. and Jan. 31st for a March 2010 stay in Kauai??
From my P.O.V, if I could not "hold" that 6 day stay, I would have much less incentive to have 12 stays at Hyatt. If I had to earn my 6 FFN first, by the time I complete those 12 stays, the dates I would want in March might be long gone and then I would have some FFN that might be much less valuable for my purposes.
If I can only make a reservation with enough points in my account, then I would never be able to really take advantage of FFN the way I think would be most benefincial to my long range planning.
Sep 20, 2009 | 2:52 am
#42
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,417
I agree with the majority of the other posters here: The suggestion in the original post is probably THE WORST suggestion I've heard on the FT Hyatt Forum in all of 2009.
Why would you request Hyatt to drop somewhat of a perk to people who stay at Hyatts? (ie, those with point balances). While you're at it, why don't you put in a public request for them to drop the free breakfast for Diamonds as well as RC upgrades.
While I certainly don't agree with the booking of unlimited nights without any points to support those reservations (as was the case last FFN and seems like it will be the case this FFN), I certainly don't see how converting awards that were already booked with points to FFNs will hurt many people. Plus, I'm sure this technique is not even well known or done outside of FT, and we are a SMALL minority of Hyatt guests I might add. So this practice isn't done by hardly anybody I wouldn't think.
That said (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY), I don't think this argument even matters one bit anymore. Did everybody here not get the memo from Hyatt GP on April 2, 2009? If you missed it, guess what......THERE ARE NO MORE CAPACITY CONTROLS!!!! So even if your argument that people hoard the few award rooms was valid prior to April 2, 2009, it is no longer valid because now instead of 2% of all rooms being available as awards, probably more like 40% of rooms are available as awards. Do you really think that people are going to hoard up 40% of all the more desireable Hyatt hotels every night for the next 6 months??? Case closed, don't complain about it.............and please don't request for anymore of our "unpublished" perks to be taken away. Just consider this a Flyertalk perk that you have access to strictly as an FTer that most others in the general public don't have the knowledge of, move along, and be happy. @:-) And please don't make anymore suggestions to Hyatt.
Why would you request Hyatt to drop somewhat of a perk to people who stay at Hyatts? (ie, those with point balances). While you're at it, why don't you put in a public request for them to drop the free breakfast for Diamonds as well as RC upgrades.
While I certainly don't agree with the booking of unlimited nights without any points to support those reservations (as was the case last FFN and seems like it will be the case this FFN), I certainly don't see how converting awards that were already booked with points to FFNs will hurt many people. Plus, I'm sure this technique is not even well known or done outside of FT, and we are a SMALL minority of Hyatt guests I might add. So this practice isn't done by hardly anybody I wouldn't think.
That said (AND MOST IMPORTANTLY), I don't think this argument even matters one bit anymore. Did everybody here not get the memo from Hyatt GP on April 2, 2009? If you missed it, guess what......THERE ARE NO MORE CAPACITY CONTROLS!!!! So even if your argument that people hoard the few award rooms was valid prior to April 2, 2009, it is no longer valid because now instead of 2% of all rooms being available as awards, probably more like 40% of rooms are available as awards. Do you really think that people are going to hoard up 40% of all the more desireable Hyatt hotels every night for the next 6 months??? Case closed, don't complain about it.............and please don't request for anymore of our "unpublished" perks to be taken away. Just consider this a Flyertalk perk that you have access to strictly as an FTer that most others in the general public don't have the knowledge of, move along, and be happy. @:-) And please don't make anymore suggestions to Hyatt.
Sep 20, 2009 | 2:54 am
#43
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,417
As a person who has a nice amount of GP points in my account but not nearly enough to book, for example, a 6 night stay at Kauai, is it possible (and is it fair) to be able to call up reservations and make a reservation on Oct. 1st for a 6 night award stay (without the 108k points in my account)
in the hope/plan to earn 6 FFN b/t Oct 1st. and Jan. 31st for a March 2010 stay in Kauai?? .
in the hope/plan to earn 6 FFN b/t Oct 1st. and Jan. 31st for a March 2010 stay in Kauai?? .
Sep 20, 2009 | 2:56 am
#44
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,417
Gawd I hate it when people make such ignorant comparisons between the various hotel programs
I do concur that Hyatt's FFN program overall is better than SPG's FWN program (not limited to weekends for one and this current Hyatt one includes double-stay credit) but NOT because SPG omitted their Cat 7 properties.
I love many of the top (Cat 5) Hyatt properties but NONE of them can command the rates and desirability of the typical SPG Cat 7 property. For instance, there are no posh Hyatt resorts on Santorini, Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), Bora Bora or the Maldives.
In my opinion, only a few Hyatt Cat 5 properties (PH Vendome, PH Tokyo, PH Moscow) can clearly trump similar (same city) SPG Cat 6 properties, which were included in their FWN program. Besides their increased quantity, locale of top properties (43 SPG Cat 6 vs 25 Hyatt Cat 5), the other advantage of SPG's FWN promo for me was that the redemption period occurred throughout the summer.
And no, I'm not a SPG homer. I'm just familiar with the offerings and properties of both Hyatt and SPG's programs and promos as I'm a fan of both.
I do concur that Hyatt's FFN program overall is better than SPG's FWN program (not limited to weekends for one and this current Hyatt one includes double-stay credit) but NOT because SPG omitted their Cat 7 properties.I love many of the top (Cat 5) Hyatt properties but NONE of them can command the rates and desirability of the typical SPG Cat 7 property. For instance, there are no posh Hyatt resorts on Santorini, Costa Smeralda (Sardinia), Bora Bora or the Maldives.
In my opinion, only a few Hyatt Cat 5 properties (PH Vendome, PH Tokyo, PH Moscow) can clearly trump similar (same city) SPG Cat 6 properties, which were included in their FWN program. Besides their increased quantity, locale of top properties (43 SPG Cat 6 vs 25 Hyatt Cat 5), the other advantage of SPG's FWN promo for me was that the redemption period occurred throughout the summer.
And no, I'm not a SPG homer. I'm just familiar with the offerings and properties of both Hyatt and SPG's programs and promos as I'm a fan of both.
Sep 20, 2009 | 2:58 am
#45
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,417