A few weeks ago I wrote about how some of the newer Hyatt Places have real one-bedroom suites. These hotels are purpose-built, meaning they didn’t come with the AmeriSuites acquisition in 2005, but were a Hyatt Place from the moment they opened. I’ve now stayed in one of these suites at the Hyatt Place Charlotte Downtown, Park City, and Champaign, and have been very impressed.
One question that has been on my mind, however, is can you use a Globalist suite upgrade to confirm one of these Hyatt Place suites?
So I did some research to find out.
Hyatt Place Champaign one-bedroom suite
Trying to use a Globalist suite award at the Hyatt Place Champaign
I made a reservation for a standard room at the Hyatt Place Champaign. I chose this hotel because I knew they had suites — having recently stayed there. I also made sure to select a date for which the website was showing availability for one of their one-bedroom suites.
Then I called the Globalist line and asked to apply one of my Globalist suite upgrade awards to the reservation.
Before we go any further, I want to emphasize that the agent I spoke with was awesome and incredibly helpful. He was inquisitive and willing to dig through the terms with me to understand the World of Hyatt program. In short, it felt like some of the conversations Ben and I have had about the finer points of frequent flyer programs over the years.
Anyway, he first told me this property does not have suites, which apparently was just what came up on his screen.
I pointed out that the Hyatt website clearly shows that they have a suite for sale on that night. (I’m pretty sure most of the Hyatt agents I’ve spoken with lately would have just hung up on me right about here.) But he checked the website, agreed, and we had a good laugh.
He then researched a bit and said that the problem was that he had nowhere to put the code that is generated when you redeem a Globalist suite upgrade award. So without a field to enter the code into, he can’t process the upgrade automatically. But he offered to call the property to see if they could offer a workaround.
A few minutes later he came back to say that the person he spoke with said they are not a participating property in the Globalist suite upgrade award program and therefore could not accept a Globalist suite upgrade. He was obviously curious because he offered to dig into the World of Hyatt terms to verify this. I joined him with my laptop.
The terms state:
Complimentary Suite Upgrade Awards are not valid at any of the Suite Award Ineligible Properties or Hyatt Residence Club hotels or resorts
And then elsewhere the list of Suite Upgrade Ineligible Properties is defined as
Suite Free Night Awards are not valid at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Park Hyatt Sydney, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Tulsa, Hyatt Regency Wichita, Hyatt Paris Madeleine, Hyatt Herald Square New York, Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa, Hyatt City of Dreams Manila, Hyatt Centric Santa Barbara, Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami, Hyatt Place hotels or M life Resorts. (These hotels and resorts are referred to collectively in these Terms as the “Suite Award Ineligible Properties.”)
The World of Hyatt terms and conditions would therefore seem to clearly state that you can’t use a Globalist suite upgrade award at a Hyatt Place.
Why can’t you use a Globalist suite upgrade at a Hyatt Place?
Like I said, I had a really nice conversation with the Hyatt representative. One of the things he shared was that there is a place for him to put a code on the reservation that lets the property bill corporate when you apply a Globalist suite upgrade. Essentially we are paying for the standard room, and then corporate is paying the hotel some amount to compensate for the confirmed upgrade being used. That was interesting to me as I had often wondered if the properties were compensated at all when we used our suite upgrade awards. Apparently they are.
But in the case of Hyatt Places, there is nowhere for him to put the code — the backend infrastructure doesn’t even exist. Given Hyatt’s IT woes of the past, I wonder whether the technical limitation exists because of the policy, or whether the policy exists because of the technical limitation.
As I think about it, if the properties are getting compensated when a Globalist uses a suite upgrade, then why wouldn’t Hyatt Place properties want that extra revenue too? And if corporate is actually paying when we use our Globalist suite upgrades, why wouldn’t they want us to use them at Hyatt Places where the incremental difference between a standard room and a suite is surely much less than at an aspirational property?
Frankly, it seems like letting us use suite upgrades at Hyatt Places would be a win-win-win for Hyatt corporate, the local properties, and Globalists.
Hyatt Place Champaign
What about using a Globalist suite upgrade at a Hyatt House?
Prior to the emergence of the new Hyatt Places with suites, I occasionally wished I could use a Diamond Suite Upgrade at a Hyatt House. I know that sounds ridiculous, but hear me out.
Many Hyatt Houses actually have studio suites as their base level room. At these properties, it would be useful to be able to confirm an upgrade to a one-bedroom suite. Or even at other Hyatt Houses, you might want to book a one-bedroom and confirm into a two-bedroom.
So of course, I had to ask the guy. And he was stumped.
He pointed out that Hyatt Houses aren’t specifically included on the Suite Upgrade Ineligible Property list, which he took to mean that upgrades should be valid with them. But every Hyatt House he tried — and it was apparently a slow night because he tried a bunch — lacked the requisite field needed to enter the magical suite upgrade code.
He concluded that since the terms don’t specifically preclude the use of a suite upgrade award at a Hyatt House, there must be one somewhere that accepts them. He just couldn’t find one.
Personally, I doubt that conclusion. I don’t think you can use them at any Hyatt House in the system. Whether that’s by design or just an oversight, I don’t know.
Bottom line
I really like the one-bedroom suites at many of the new Hyatt Places. They aren’t anything special but they are huge which is exactly what you need when traveling with a family.
I just wish it was possible to use a Globalist suite upgrade to confirm into them. But apparently the World of Hyatt terms and conditions preclude this.
Would you like to see Hyatt make Globalist suite upgrades valid for use at Hyatt Places and Hyatt Houses?
Is there any benefit of gifting a Guest of Honor to a friend who will be staying at a Hyatt Place
I’ve stayed in Champaign a couple times and they’ve always been fine upgrading me to their best suite. It’s massive and overpriced, which probably means it often goes empty unless there’s some celebrity in town or something.
I’m staying at the Hyatt Place Krakow soon and found this article when they said they don’t participate in globalist upgrade program. I’m assuming they mean the suite upgrade award program, but perhaps they never upgrade globalists...
I’ve stayed in Champaign a couple times and they’ve always been fine upgrading me to their best suite. It’s massive and overpriced, which probably means it often goes empty unless there’s some celebrity in town or something.
I’m staying at the Hyatt Place Krakow soon and found this article when they said they don’t participate in globalist upgrade program. I’m assuming they mean the suite upgrade award program, but perhaps they never upgrade globalists as well. Seems kinda strange for Hyatt since it seems like they normally go out of their way to encourage properties to treat globalists as best as possible, within reason. They told me the suites don’t have a good view anyway, so I’m not that bothered. I guess I would be more concerned if traveling with a family. Hyatt should open up the SUA program to all hotels with a suite. It almost seems as if they don’t want to compensate that brand any more than necessary for the standard room.
Hyatt Houses can use DSU. I just used one (concierge got it wrong, had to call in to fix it).
DT
This is a worthy post because
1. It is directly related to the core topic of the site
2. It is obviously interesting enough for people to read and post relevant comments
3. The post heading is deseiptive enough for people to assess whether it is relevant
@ Eu or is it Ewww?? I dont know or care who you are - comment was not for you - you go ahead and fanboy.
Having experienced a new Hyatt Place corner suite earlier this year (Emeryville), I can see why securing one in advance could be quite advantageous (especially for families). I agree that the older properties can be pretty sad (and we know the low-end free breakfast is always best avoided), but the new design is quite a step up for Hyatt. Sometimes there are locations where there isn't a nearby full-service property, so it's nice to have options.
@Dt: Like why is this even a comment? Who leaves comments on posts that they don't care about? When the post title clearly describes the nature of its content. And yet you still bothered to comment. Why would this kind of response be of any value? Such an asinine comment. Nothing better to do with your life?
Like why is this even a post? Who wants to stay at a Hyatt house/ place? Only if one is in a bind and it is for a night or so. And you want to leave asap. Why would a suite upgrade be of any value? Such an asinine post. Slow news day?
@Travis, what keeps bringing you back to Champaign???
@Tommy Trash -- haha that's exactly what I thought after reading Travis' "I'd be a Hilton Diamond" comment.
@Tommy Trash
I feel it as well...
Thank you @Travis, for 1) loosing my time with this useless post and 2) reviving the trollest of trolls.
I feel like DCS will be summoned from the crypt
To those saying, ask and they'll probably give you a suite.... sure. I do that regularly and it works.
But that defeats the purpose of a confirmed suite upgrade, which is supposed to secure the suite at time of booking and make it where you don't need to ask for a favor. If I wanted to go begging for upgrades at the front desk every single time, I'd be a Hilton Diamond.
One, why would you, and two, who cares.
I believe there are not so many Hyatt Place with suites. Most of them have all the similar rooms with various bed arrangements.
Hyatt House properties always upgraded me from studio or Den room (entry level room in many properties, not equipped with kitchen, so just a hotel room) to proper 2 rooms suites. This year I stayed only at Hyatt House Anchorage 4 times and they always upgraded me.
Btw calling a...
I believe there are not so many Hyatt Place with suites. Most of them have all the similar rooms with various bed arrangements.
Hyatt House properties always upgraded me from studio or Den room (entry level room in many properties, not equipped with kitchen, so just a hotel room) to proper 2 rooms suites. This year I stayed only at Hyatt House Anchorage 4 times and they always upgraded me.
Btw calling a hotel directly may be helpful in any case. Once I tried to book cash+points at a Hyatt House and Hyatt.com showed no availability for months. I called the hotel, got connected to a front office manager and he was able to book c+p reservations on every night I wanted.
Asked them for the suite upgrade upon check in. They'll probably give it to you without DSU certificate.
I have been staying at a hyatt house the last week as an explorist and they have basically given me a suite upgrade
It was several years ago, but I used a GU to go from a 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom at the Hyatt House in Pleasanton CA. I didn't know that they weren't supposed to apply so just tried it. Can't remember for sure but I think I called the property directly to use it.