Over the past few years we’ve seen some significant changes to hotel loyalty programs. Some hotel loyalty programs have upped their game, while others have gotten worse. In this post I wanted to share why World of Hyatt Globalist is my favorite top tier hotel status, but first let me share my current overall hotel strategy.
In this post:
My current hotel loyalty program strategy
There are four hotel loyalty programs I’m pretty actively engaged in, so let me share my overall thoughts on them, roughly in order:
- World of Hyatt is my all around favorite hotel loyalty program; I recently earned lifetime Globalist status, so I don’t have to worry about requalifying if I don’t want to (though there’s still an incentive to do so)
- Marriott Bonvoy is my backup program; I have Titanium status and lifetime Platinum status, I’ll continue to try to earn at least 50 elite nights per year in the program in order to be able to earn suite night awards through the Choice Benefits program, and that’s easy enough to do since I have both the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (review) and Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (review), earning me 40 elite nights per year
- I love Hilton Honors thanks to the incredible Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express (review), which earns me Diamond status for as long as I have the card; Hilton’s luxury portfolio has also been growing nicely in recent years
- IHG One Rewards is my very last backup chain; while the IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card (review) offers Platinum status and an anniversary free night certificate, this year I actually have Diamond status; I stay at IHG properties when I have a certificate to redeem, or when the location is the best
The information and associated card details on this page for the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by OMAAT and has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
World of Hyatt Globalist benefits
With the above out of the way, Hyatt has some things working for and against it. In particular, Hyatt’s footprint isn’t nearly as large as that of Hilton, IHG, or Marriott. However, Hyatt has a very compelling loyalty program, to the point that I think it’s worth pursuing top tier status with the program.
What I appreciate about Hyatt is the emphasis placed on consistently delivering benefits. While no loyalty program is perfect (especially when you consider that hotels are mostly individually owned), Hyatt does the best job in this regard, in my opinion.
So, why do I like World of Hyatt Globalist status so much?
Unlimited complimentary suite upgrades
World of Hyatt offers Globalist members unlimited suite upgrades subject to availability. While execution isn’t perfect, I’ve found that Hyatt is the most consistent of any hotel group when it comes to delivering on this benefit. That’s to say that if suites are available, hotels generally proactively try to offer them.
Of course it’s important to be realistic. Some hotels don’t have many suites, some hotels get a lot of Globalist members, and some hotels have a lot of paid demand for suites. Don’t expect that you’ll receive a complimentary suite upgrade at the Andaz Maui or Park Hyatt Paris, for example. Meanwhile at some other properties, suite upgrades for Globalist members are a near sure bet.
The ability to earn confirmed suite upgrades
The area where Hyatt’s upgrade policy really shines is with Globalist confirmed suite upgrades. As part of the Milestone Rewards program, Globalist members can earn up to eight confirmed suite upgrades per year (for passing 60 elite nights in a year you receive four of these, and then you can receive an extra one for every 10 elite nights beyond that, up to 100 nights). Lifetime Globalist members earn a further four of these each year.
Each suite upgrade award can be used to confirm a suite upgrade at the time of booking for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights.
The reason I love this benefit so much is because it allows me to upgrade those stays that matter the most to me, where I really value a suite. I’ve used this benefit at all kinds of properties, including the Park Hyatt Paris, Park Hyatt Milan, and Park Hyatt St. Kitts, just to name a few.
The best status breakfast benefit
As far as I’m concerned, Hyatt offers the best top tier elite breakfast benefit of any hotel group, given that full breakfast is offered at all hotels, including gratuity. To compare that to my two backup hotel groups, Marriott has excluded brands, while Hilton offers continental breakfast or a food & beverage credit.
With Hyatt you get access to the club lounge when there is one. For those hotels without a club lounge you get a full, hot breakfast in the restaurant. The way this is executed varies by hotel. At some hotels you have access to the buffet, at other hotels you can get room service, and at other hotels you can order anything off the menu.
Guaranteed 4PM check-out
Globalist members receive guaranteed 4PM check-out. This benefit is subject to availability at resorts, but it’s guaranteed at other hotels. A benefit is most valuable when guaranteed, so being able to stay four to five hours beyond the typical check-out time is great.
Guest of Honor bookings
Hyatt has what’s called the Guest of Honor benefit, where Globalist members can redeem points or free night certificates for a friend or family member, and when they do, that guest inherits Globalist benefits for that stay. This is such a great reward.
Anyone who spends a lot of time on the road wants their family to travel comfortably as well, which is why I love this perk so much. I use this all the time when traveling with family and friends, and when I’m looking to book multiple rooms.
Waived resort fees on all stays
Resort fees (or destination fees, or facility fees) are one of the most annoying trends in the hotel industry. We’ve seen these added at so many hotels. The good thing is that as a Hyatt Globalist member you never have to worry about these, as you’re exempt from them, regardless of whether on a cash or points booking.
Waived parking fees on award stays
For those cases where you do redeem points, Globalist members don’t have to pay for on-property parking. This even applies if you’re parking in New York or San Francisco, where it might otherwise cost $50+. While I don’t use this benefit much, when I do, it saves me a lot of money.
Sometimes this is also the deciding factor for me when trying to choose between paying cash or redeeming points for a stay.
Two free nights annually
For earning 60 elite nights in a year (which is ordinarily required for Globalist status) you receive two free night certificates annually:
- You get a Category 1-4 free night certificate when you pass 30 elite nights
- You get a Category 1-7 free night certificate when you pass 60 elite nights
Stays at those hotels could cost up to 18,000 and 35,000 points, respectively, so that’s potentially a value of up to 53,000 points per year.
Significant luxury expansion
One of Hyatt’s biggest challenges has been its relatively small portfolio compared to competitors. Historically not only has Hyatt not organically been growing as fast as competitors, but many of its new properties have been limited service.
The great news is that Hyatt has gotten innovative in adding luxury properties:
- Hyatt acquired Two Roads Hospitality, which gives World of Hyatt members access to all kinds of awesome brands, like Thompson, Alila, and more
- Hyatt has a partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, offering the ability to earn and redeem points at these hotels, as well as receive select benefits; at this point that partnership includes over 350 hotels
Hyatt also acquired Apple Leisure Group, though I’m less excited about this. This was a huge purchase, but I wouldn’t describe most of these properties as being luxury. Hyatt is also acquiring Dream Hotel Group. While I’d consider that to be a net positive, I have the perception that these hotels are style over substance.
American Airlines partnership
While I wouldn’t call this a game changer, I do appreciate the partnership that American AAdvantage & World of Hyatt offer. As an elite member with both programs, I’m earning one American AAdvantage mile per dollar spent with Hyatt, and one World of Hyatt point per dollar spent with American.
For some members there are even reciprocal status opportunities. For example, historically American’s invitation-only Concierge Key members have received Globalist status for free. We’ve seen other reciprocal status opportunities as well.
The ability to transfer points from Chase
Globalist status comes with so many great perks, but one of the issues is often that you wish you had more points you could redeem so you could enjoy these perks.
The good news is that World of Hyatt is a 1:1 Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partner, so you have several additional ways of earning points. For example, you can transfer points from:
- The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), which offers 3x points on dining and travel
- The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review), which offers 3x points on the first $150,000 spent annually on travel, shipping purchases, internet, cable and phone services, and advertising purchases made with social media sites and search engines
- The Chase Freedom Unlimited® (review), which in conjunction with one of the above cards offers 3x points on dining and drugstores, and 1.5x points on all purchases
This is one of my favorite uses of Chase Ultimate Rewards points. See this post for all the best ways to earn Hyatt points.
Combine points between Hyatt accounts
While this isn’t specifically a Globalist benefit, one other great thing about World of Hyatt is how easily you can combine points between accounts.
Sometimes you don’t have enough points for a redemption, and in those cases you have the opportunity to transfer an unlimited number of points to another member at no cost. There are two restrictions to be aware of, though:
- You can only transfer points to another member “in order to have a sufficient number of points to redeem a particular award”
- You can only combine points (regardless of whether you’re sending or receiving) once every 30 days
Hyatt Privé
While not limited to Globalist members, this is something that adds significant value to my Hyatt stays, and which makes me choose Hyatt over competitors. With the Hyatt Privé program you can receive extra perks when booking select Hyatt properties through an eligible travel agent.
In many cases this gets me a confirmed upgrade at booking, a $100 credit, and more.
What I don’t love about World of Hyatt
The above are the biggest reasons I love World of Hyatt Globalist status, though let me also share a few of the things I don’t love about the program:
- Actual points earning rates for hotels are ordinarily pretty weak — as a Globalist member you earn 6.5x points per dollar spent, which isn’t that great (I value Hyatt points at ~1.5 cents each, so that’s like a return of just under 10%); however, World of Hyatt does sometimes have valuable global promotions, but they’re not as consistent as you may find with Hilton Honors, for example
- While Hyatt has made huge strides when it comes to its global footprint, especially with luxury properties, Hyatt still can’t compete with the sheer number of properties belonging to Hilton, IHG, and Marriott
World of Hyatt’s credit cards
There are lots of great hotel credit cards out there, and Hyatt has two of those — specifically, the World of Hyatt Credit Card (review) and World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (review).
While there are some great aspects to the business card, personally I think it’s the personal card that shines, given that it has a lower annual fee, offers an anniversary free night certificate, offers elite nights just for being a cardmember (without spending), and more. The good news is that both cards make it easier to earn Globalist status. You could even earn Globalist status entirely through credit card spending, if you wanted to (though that’s not what I’d recommend doing).
Personally, I think the ideal strategy is to earn Globalist status through a combination of credit card spending and actual stays. After all, if you’re not actually staying at Hyatts much, what’s the point of earning status?
Earning Globalist status with Hyatt’s credit cards
World of Hyatt requires 60 elite nights to earn Globalist status. Even award stays count toward status, so it’s awesome that redeeming points will get you closer to Globalist status.
Fortunately Hyatt’s credit cards can help you earn elite nights:
- With the World of Hyatt Credit Card you receive five elite nights toward status annually just for having the card, plus an additional two elite nights for every $5,000 you spend on the card
- With the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card you receive five elite for every $10,000 spent on the card in a calendar year
This means that if you wanted to, you could spend your way all the way to Globalist status, through a combination of the elite nights earned on both cards. In reality I don’t recommend completely doing that. Rather I think some combination of credit card spending and actual stays is the best strategy.
Bottom line
I find World of Hyatt Globalist status to be the most compelling top tier hotel status out there. To me that comes down to the program offering strong perks to begin with, and on top of that actually consistently delivering on what’s promised.
I appreciate that Globalist members get a full breakfast (including tip), guaranteed late check-out, waived resort fees, waived parking fees on award stays, etc. Personally I don’t count on complimentary suite upgrades, but that’s the beauty of confirmed suite upgrades, which let you lock in a suite upgrade for the stays that matter most to you.
Of course, I understand for a lot of people it’s just not practical to be loyal to Hyatt, given the group’s relatively small global footprint, though a lot of progress has been made there in recent years.
What do you consider to be the most valuable top tier hotel status?
Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
That comment is ignorant in...
Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
That comment is ignorant in its entirety. Programmatic changes that have happened at Hilton Honors with respect to elite levels are really not even that subtle, but I am not at all surprised that they simply passed him by...
For his and everyone's edification: A few years back, it was rumored, based on surveys that some members got, that Hilton Honors was considering creating a new elite level above their Diamond status. As it turned out, it was not simply a rumor. Hilton did intend to create a new elite level above their Diamond status, and the way they actually did it in practice was simply to award the new higher elite status to members who meet the program's pre-established qualifications for Lifetime Diamond status. To populate the new and nearly-empty top elite level, existing Diamond members on the cusp of reaching Lifetime status are being "fast-tracked" with, e.g., double elite night promo or an AMEX promo over the last couple of years that has been counting all bonus points earned with any HH AMEX card as base points. It is how I reached the LT Diamond status at least 2 years ahead of schedule...
The objective of creating the new above-Diamond status was clear: to differentiate long-time loyal members who've spent tons of money patronizing the chain from standard or 'Aspire' Diamonds (sort of like UA Global Services vs. UA 1K). At the same time, borrowing from airline cabin upgrades, HH introduced global automated room upgrades that automatically prioritize room (including suites) upgrades in the order Gold < Diamond < Lifetime Diamond.
So, in short, Hilton Honors redid the program's elite levels to achieve clear differentiation, leading to a new higher elite status that gets higher priority and recognition than the 'standard' or 'Aspire' Diamond status. The end result is that it exposes just how stupid and ignorant are statements like @UA-NYC's quoted above.
There is absolutely no corollary to UA GS vs 1K. It’s embarrassing that you try to make it. But you are a Hilton Sociopath(TM) as OMAAT readers know.
And congrats, you get a slightly earlier upgrade clearance on your Asia “escapade”. I’m sure it’s worth the 1K nights and $100k+ spend…vs getting the free CC every year and just waiting a bit longer for your (as you claim) guaranteed upgrades.
PT Barnum indeed!
GREAT review. the one benefit with Marriott and Hilton is the 5 night free which Hyatt does not offer. this would cap it off imo for Hyatt. also Marriott offers the add on point to their certificates which I have found extremely useful. recently I used 3 annual certificates for the Westin in Perth with Marriott program... surprised to see my room upgraded and awesome breakfast included.... basically full recognization of my titanium status... it...
GREAT review. the one benefit with Marriott and Hilton is the 5 night free which Hyatt does not offer. this would cap it off imo for Hyatt. also Marriott offers the add on point to their certificates which I have found extremely useful. recently I used 3 annual certificates for the Westin in Perth with Marriott program... surprised to see my room upgraded and awesome breakfast included.... basically full recognization of my titanium status... it was 5 star quality throughout. overall, however, I agree with you Hyatt is my preferred hotel program.... transfer of URs to Hyatt 1:1 is great. and the marvel and alila properties are some of the most appealing properties and best use of Hyatt points out there imo. I am life titanium in Marriott and pt in Hilton so getting globalist in Hyatt is next on my list.... thanks for all your insight!
And if you get an IHG card, they will top the 5th night free with 4th night free.
Indeed your Titanium recognition is much better anywhere outside USA, the further away the better it gets.
Another funny thing is you did exactly like almost every lifetime Titanium that I know, they go for a different chain.
These lifetime milestone seems like a great marketing motivation. But the only thing they are promising isn't the...
And if you get an IHG card, they will top the 5th night free with 4th night free.
Indeed your Titanium recognition is much better anywhere outside USA, the further away the better it gets.
Another funny thing is you did exactly like almost every lifetime Titanium that I know, they go for a different chain.
These lifetime milestone seems like a great marketing motivation. But the only thing they are promising isn't the benefits but just the title. Look at how every lifetime Delta members (even the 8MM people) don't get SkyClub access on international travel anymore.
Hyatt does NOT have the best breakfast benefit. IHG does. Hyatt's breakfast benefit is a club lounge breakfast at full-service properties with a club lounge. At IHG, it's a restaurant breakfast at every full-service property. To say Hyatt has the best benefit is simply not true.
Actually, just be because breakfast is offered in a restaurant does not make it "best".
Case in point: my very first stay as an IHG Diamond Ambassador was at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. At check-in, I selected breakfast as my amenity. The next morning I got for breakfast, which was served in a large nondescript room that seemed to double as some kind...
Actually, just be because breakfast is offered in a restaurant does not make it "best".
Case in point: my very first stay as an IHG Diamond Ambassador was at InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile. At check-in, I selected breakfast as my amenity. The next morning I got for breakfast, which was served in a large nondescript room that seemed to double as some kind of restaurant (come to think of it, it looked more like a lounge than a restaurant). Anywwy, the only hot food offered (e.g., eggs) was pre-cooked and limited. No cook was present to cook omelets on demand! Needless to say, I did not get up again for "breakfast" the 3 remaining mornings of the 4-night stay.
So, enough already with claims of "best" or of superiority that are based on nothing more than subjective or self-serving metrics !!!
Fair enough, but during my first stay as a Diamond Ambassador at The Clement in Monterey, we had a full breakfast off the menu in the restaurant overlooking the bay.
@Brutus: cheers, had the same experience of late.
Funny, I just was at a full service HR over the weekend, with a lounge, and they still offered (and I accepted) a fantastic restaurant breakfast.
Come on, let's be real...IHG sucks.
I agree that most of IHG's portfolio sucks, but the diamond breakfast benefit at full-service properties is ALWAYS a restaurant breakfast. And, like Hyatt's benefit at those properties without a lounge, it is explicitly defined to avoid a property, as with Marriott, refusing to provide coffee or something hot.
While Hyatt is my go to for many stays throughout the year, topping over 100 nights, it's surprisingly not always my preferred in certain markets. Getting an often better property at FS or MO AND as Elite at both AND getting the credit (like you see with Prive etc) without having to book through these so called "travel planners" (that really offer nothing else but another person to have to deal with) is often an...
While Hyatt is my go to for many stays throughout the year, topping over 100 nights, it's surprisingly not always my preferred in certain markets. Getting an often better property at FS or MO AND as Elite at both AND getting the credit (like you see with Prive etc) without having to book through these so called "travel planners" (that really offer nothing else but another person to have to deal with) is often an advantage over Hyatt. I would like to see the $100 credit per stay offered at certain luxury Hyatt properties for Globalists, especially Lifetime, to better compete against FS and MO for those who could care less about booking through a person who does nothing that I can't do in 2 minutes on any app. The reality is that FS and MO have successfully alleviated any need for these Prive style bookings to get the benefits that are often touted on this site when you stay with them enough. I would like to see Hyatt follow this trend in that many of us that are moving around constantly prefer control over our bookings and not having to deal with some person who takes a few hour online course to do what we are fully capable of in no time at all.
Once again Ben posts about why he thinks Hyatt is the best program, and DCS desperately tries to convince himself and others that you can prove definitively that Hilton is better.
5th night free is clearly the best perk because everybody wants to stay five nights everywhere they go, and breakfast benefit for members overseas is better than Hyatt domestically, so obviously Hilton has the best breakfast benefit. (I also love the shout out to...
Once again Ben posts about why he thinks Hyatt is the best program, and DCS desperately tries to convince himself and others that you can prove definitively that Hilton is better.
5th night free is clearly the best perk because everybody wants to stay five nights everywhere they go, and breakfast benefit for members overseas is better than Hyatt domestically, so obviously Hilton has the best breakfast benefit. (I also love the shout out to 'not being able to spin the lack of 5th night free' and then the spin of the paltry domestic credit being good since breakfast wasn't great in the U.S to begin with.)
Alas, sophisticated robots can't understand the concept of subjectivity. So when I say I enjoyed the Park Hyatt Maldives more than the Waldorf Astoria Maldives, a screw must pop loose.
'Surely the square footage of the rooms must mean that Hilton wins again!'
Also "self-annointed travel guru" gets more trollish every time it's written.
Objectively, Ben Schlappig is a travel guru. Atop his published stats, he's been featured on Business Insider, Daily Mail, Fox News, and Rolling Stone. It isn't self-annointed, it's actual.
His experience in the matter is evident in thousands of posts he has shared over the years. As opposed to someone who only plays the same single broken record in the comments section.
Cheerio.
@ JoePro
No, mate, what several commentators (not just one) are saying is that, outside of the USA, Hilton Diamonds enjoy a full breakfast benefit rather than only a continental breakfast or voucher (misreported in the article)
Accept that truth or don't, that's your choice.
A couple of commentators also observe that several non Hyatt hotel loyalty programs (not just Hilton Honors!) offer 4th or 5th night free benefits (not included in the...
@ JoePro
No, mate, what several commentators (not just one) are saying is that, outside of the USA, Hilton Diamonds enjoy a full breakfast benefit rather than only a continental breakfast or voucher (misreported in the article)
Accept that truth or don't, that's your choice.
A couple of commentators also observe that several non Hyatt hotel loyalty programs (not just Hilton Honors!) offer 4th or 5th night free benefits (not included in the article).
The latter benefits shift the net return from zero to 20% or 25% (relative to the room price) depending upon the number of nights stayed. That's not spin. It's fact.
Again, accept the truth or don't, that's your choice.
Now, you have a choice, you can factor in the math (net returns from various benefits) or you can ignore it. The outcome of such choices only matter to you.
Nobody is suggesting that there aren't subjective perceptions of "value".
What they ARE saying is that certain "assumptions" about certain hotel loyalty programs pervade travel blogs and have become "urban myths" and they don't necessarily stand up to scrutiny based upon (1) a basic factual sanity check; or (2) mathematical analysis of net returns; or (3) lived experience.
At least be fully informed about your choices - yes?
Now, it seems that certain commentators are becoming ever more entrenched in their refusal to consider alternative ways of approaching hotel loyalty and tending to ever more strident refusal to give space to such.
I would propose to their detriment.....;)
.
If I didn't know better, I'd say DCS was your evil cousin.
"what several commentators (not just one) are saying is that, outside of the USA, Hilton Diamonds enjoy a full breakfast benefit rather than only a continental breakfast or voucher"
---I'm not referring to those several commentators. I'm referring to a specific one. Your reply to the post was plenty respectable and informative.
Wheras DCS presents in one comment: "Actually, just be because...
If I didn't know better, I'd say DCS was your evil cousin.
"what several commentators (not just one) are saying is that, outside of the USA, Hilton Diamonds enjoy a full breakfast benefit rather than only a continental breakfast or voucher"
---I'm not referring to those several commentators. I'm referring to a specific one. Your reply to the post was plenty respectable and informative.
Wheras DCS presents in one comment: "Actually, just be because breakfast is offered in a restaurant does not make it "best".
.....(example of time with bad IHG breakfast)
So, enough already with claims of "best" or of superiority that are based on nothing more than subjective or self-serving metrics !!!"
and then in another comment DCS notes: "Hilton Honors free breakfast in the rest of the world is second to none." DCS obviously seems to think his own advice about claims of superiority, metrics and subjectivity doesn't apply to Hilton.
You can't make this shit up.
Platy,
Nobody is suggesting not to be fully informed. But yes, if you read DCS' ramblings for more than 3 minutes, there's a clear implication that one can definitively call Hilton the winner at everything, and any subjective takes suggesting otherwise must immediately be discarded. (you don't seem to have that problem).
DCS experience with Hilton + DCS math with Hilton = any dissent comes from inferior mind. (Please, go back and read their posts)
He also made an implication with his use of "conveniently left out" - that Ben had deliberately avoided broaching the 5th night free topic to strengthen his position, ignoring the more likely reality that Ben simply doesn't value the 5th night free in the same way, so he doesn't care that Hyatt doesn't have it.
"Now, it seems that certain commentators are becoming ever more entrenched in their refusal to consider alternative ways of approaching hotel loyalty and tending to ever more strident refusal to give space to such."
That's a weird takeaway. What specific approaches do you think these commentators are avoiding?
Like DCS, you seem overfocused on the math and not so much on lived experience. 20% and 25% return are meaningless if you're not using them, or if the hotel sucks.
And to put it on record, I've very much enjoyed my aspirational Hilton stays at places like W.A Maldives, W.A Beverly Hills, Conrad Maldives, and soon (hopefully) W.A Monarch Beach. (Grand Wailea was a bust, though). I will happily retain the Aspire card and Diamond status lest there be some major change down the road. My U.S approach will continue to be Hyatt (when available), Hilton, IHG (Marriott stint was incredibly short lived before I got a full dose of Bonvoy and ditched them).
_________________________
If you ever wonder why there aren't Hyatt loyalists desperately mathing out their benefits to attempt to justify staying there VS Hilton/IHG/Marriott, it's because they're too busy spending time enjoying their Hyatt stays instead.
Cheerio.
@ JoePro
“If I didn't know better, I'd say DCS was your evil cousin.”
Love it! But we are different…
“So, enough already with claims of "best" or of superiority that are based on nothing more than subjective or self-serving metrics !!!"
Actually, I read that comment in reverse, being a challenge to the notion of “best” in the lead post being responded to…(a gentle reminder that this part of the debate stemmed...
@ JoePro
“If I didn't know better, I'd say DCS was your evil cousin.”
Love it! But we are different…
“So, enough already with claims of "best" or of superiority that are based on nothing more than subjective or self-serving metrics !!!"
Actually, I read that comment in reverse, being a challenge to the notion of “best” in the lead post being responded to…(a gentle reminder that this part of the debate stemmed from the erroneous perception that Hilton’s USA-based “continental” breakfast / voucher extends globally, whereas it does not. Add in that some folk are still adjusting to the new IHG program).
"Hilton Honors free breakfast in the rest of the world is second to none." DCS obviously seems to think his own advice about claims of superiority, metrics and subjectivity doesn't apply to Hilton.”
It seems that several readers herein take the position that a full breakfast option in the hotel’s restaurant is likely to be a superior benefit than either a continental breakfast and / or a lounge-based breakfast.
You can defend that viewpoint from a number of objective angles (increased choice of breakfast menu, cash value offset, freshness and quality of menu, etc) – those attributes exist whether or not you personally value any of them (subjectively).
Now add your personal experience to validate the actual benefit delivery in practice.
FWIW the restaurant breakfasts I’ve personally enjoyed at Hilton / Conrad stays (cited in my other post) have been excellent.
Ironically, there was a “fail” at the Sydney Hilton lounge recently (the hot food wasn’t hot because the heating units had only just been turned on at opening time when we visited), which is why, I’d generally seek out the restaurant option.
“You can't make this shit up.”
But people do. And, to be fair on @ DCS, it is a reality that certain “urban myths” about hotel loyalty programs pervade travel blog-sphere and are subject to challenge on the basis of logic and math.
“Nobody is suggesting not to be fully informed.”
Well, some are apparently refusing to accept the logical / mathematical deconstruction of aforementioned “urban myths”! If they refuse such, they are not necessarily making informed choices.
“ there's a clear implication that one can definitively call Hilton the winner at everything, and any subjective takes suggesting otherwise must immediately be discarded. (you don't seem to have that problem).”
Please let’s not forget the context. The article is a personally perceived and well-argued viewpoint on why Hyatt is the “winner”, albeit with back up choices. Many herein attach to similar perceptions about the superiority of Hyatt.
Can we not accommodate alternate viewpoints? Can one of these viewpoints not be predicated on a logical and mathematical world view?
FWIW I have a problem when folk refuse to “accept” the math underlying loyalty choices. By “accept” I mean obviously cannot grasp very simple mathematical analysis, deny its existence or relevance.
“any dissent comes from inferior mind. (Please, go back and read their posts)”
The lack of understanding of basic mathematical analysis exhibited per the comments on this and other travel blogs is pervasive.
That some simply deny the existence of certain hotel loyalty program benefits and the lived experience in their comparisons is curious.
For balance, please consider that a certain individual is subject to repeated online bullying for proposing an unpopular position.
“He also made an implication with his use of "conveniently left out" - that Ben had deliberately avoided broaching the 5th night free topic to strengthen his position, ignoring the more likely reality that Ben simply doesn't value the 5th night free in the same way, so he doesn't care that Hyatt doesn't have it.”
You may be (perhaps likely to be) correct, and accepting its title, the article is a well-presented statement of personally perceived value.
But I regard that to be the point being made – the article doesn’t address intrinsic value: the whole topic is sidelined (save reference to net return from a credit card).
“That's a weird takeaway. What specific approaches do you think these commentators are avoiding?”
My statement was a “polite” way of inferring that the bullying on this and other blogs of a certain individual appears to get ever uglier. I have no problem with somebody fighting back.
“Like DCS, you seem overfocused on the math and not so much on lived experience. 20% and 25% return are meaningless if you're not using them, or if the hotel sucks.”
But I do refer to the lived experience (and so does @ DCS). To be fair, some herein are claiming such lived experience to be faked in the latter case.
And, personally, I’m not concerned much with the niceties of 25% returns, rather the 100s of percents…;)
“I've very much enjoyed my aspirational Hilton stays”
A most excellent result.
“ I will happily retain the Aspire card and Diamond status”
Being able to pick up Diamond status and accumulate points per credit card would seem to be a no-brainer…;)
“If you ever wonder why there aren't Hyatt loyalists desperately mathing out their benefits to attempt to justify staying there VS Hilton/IHG/Marriott, it's because they're too busy spending time enjoying their Hyatt stays instead.”
…if there is even a Hyatt in their desired location…wouldn’t have worked for my wedding anniversary trip to Tahiti or most of the places I stayed on my recent RTW trip…;)
Be well, sir.
Referring to the response to DCS' remarks as "online bullying" is...IMO... humorous. If DCS didn't present himself as egotistical and superior at all times, you would see a much more nuanced rebuttal, as I am offering to you.
DCS doesn't come here to offer an alternative view of Hilton, they come here to mansplain why their experience at Hilton and the T&C and the math means that the subjective viewpoint of Hyatt being a better...
Referring to the response to DCS' remarks as "online bullying" is...IMO... humorous. If DCS didn't present himself as egotistical and superior at all times, you would see a much more nuanced rebuttal, as I am offering to you.
DCS doesn't come here to offer an alternative view of Hilton, they come here to mansplain why their experience at Hilton and the T&C and the math means that the subjective viewpoint of Hyatt being a better program is invalid. You assert that those of us who oppose DCS are against different viewpoints, when it's more along the lines of DCS comes here to oppose Ben because DCS can't stand different viewpoints.
There's a difference between 'my experience has been different' and 'your experience is wrong'. No better example of DCS relaying this than the repeated claims that if you haven't done well at Hilton, you haven't been playing the game right.
I.E, DCS will imply that the fault doesn't lay with Hilton for not granting an upgrade, rather that it's the customers fault for not employing particular methods to secure an upgrade.
Yet, he would eagerly jump on other chains for not delivering on such a benefit.
His repetitive denigrating of Ben being a "self-anointed travel guru" is another reason you might see more viciousness in the responses. And dissent to that is now "drinking the kool-aid". Apparently he's very discerning in who he views as a travel guru, yet somehow he manages to frequent Ben's page on a constant basis. Perhaps for the exclusive purpose of defending his stance on Hilton?
LOL. A "start-struck" true convert and sycophant! Please keep drinking the kool-aid. Sorry that some of us cannot partake because we are less star-struck and a bit more...discerning?
What is absolutely BEYOND hilarious is DCS spending hundreds or thousands of nights and 5 or 6 figures to get LT HH Diamond…which you can also get for net free with a credit card each year.
There is a sucker born every minute and all.
Stupid: the Aspire gives you Diamond status, it does not give you Lifetime Diamond status,which is Hilton Honors' de
facto top Elite status that gets priority for all perks, like global automated room upgrades (think of UA Global Services vs. 1K).
You do know that there is a difference between a HH Lifetime Diamond and a HH "Aspire" Diamond, don't you?
Ironic as DCS extrapolates his experience to suggest ALL HH Diamonds get suites nonstop as if it’s a birthright, yet is now touting his slightly earlier access to them (of course, still not a benefit to get them in advance).
Hope it was worth that hundred K or so! That’s dumb money. Smart money just gets the free CC.
Programmatic changes that have happened at Hilton Honors with respect to elite levels are really not even that subtle, but I am not at all surprised that the changes simply passed you by...
For your edification: Hilton decided to create a new elite level above their Diamond status, and they did it by simply awarding that new higher elite status to members who meet the pre-established qualifications for Lifetime Diamond status. To populate the new...
Programmatic changes that have happened at Hilton Honors with respect to elite levels are really not even that subtle, but I am not at all surprised that the changes simply passed you by...
For your edification: Hilton decided to create a new elite level above their Diamond status, and they did it by simply awarding that new higher elite status to members who meet the pre-established qualifications for Lifetime Diamond status. To populate the new top elite elite level, existing Diamond members on the cusp of reaching Lifetime status are being fast-tracked with an AMEX promo that has been counting over the last couple of years all bonus points earned with any HH AMEX card as base points. It is how I reach LT Diamond status at least 2 years ahead of schedule...
The objective of creating the new above-Diamond status was clear: to differentiate long-time loyal members who've spent tons of money patronizing the chain from 'Aspire' Diamonds (sort of like UA Global Services vs. UA 1K). At the same time, borrowing from airline cabin upgrades HH introduced global automated room upgrades that automatically prioritizes room upgrades (including suites) in the order Gold < Diamond < Lifetime Diamond.
So, in short, it's not that HH Diamond benefits changed. It's that the program's elite levels have been changed and clearly differentiated, leading to a new higher elite status that gets higher priority than the 'standard' or 'Aspire' Diamond status. The end result is that it exposes just how stupid and ignorant statements like these are:
Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
That comment is ignorant in...
Parting Shot
True to form, @UA-NYC made the following comment, which I am responding to up here to correct yet another mindless misconception:
That comment is ignorant in its entirety. Programmatic changes that have happened at Hilton Honors with respect to elite levels are really not even that subtle, but I am not at all surprised that they simply passed him by...
For his and everyone's edification: A few years back, it was rumored, based on surveys that some members got, that Hilton Honors was considering creating a new elite level above their Diamond status. As it turned out, it was not simply a rumor. Hilton did intend to create a new elite level above their Diamond status, and the way they actually did it in practice was simply to award the new higher elite status to members who meet the program's pre-established qualifications for Lifetime Diamond status. To populate the new and nearly-empty top elite level, existing Diamond members on the cusp of reaching Lifetime status are being "fast-tracked" with, e.g., double elite night promo or an AMEX promo over the last couple of years that has been counting all bonus points earned with any HH AMEX card as base points. It is how I reached the LT Diamond status at least 2 years ahead of schedule...
The objective of creating the new above-Diamond status was clear: to differentiate long-time loyal members who've spent tons of money patronizing the chain from standard or 'Aspire' Diamonds (sort of like UA Global Services vs. UA 1K). At the same time, borrowing from airline cabin upgrades, HH introduced global automated room upgrades that automatically prioritize room (including suites) upgrades in the order Gold < Diamond < Lifetime Diamond.
So, in short, Hilton Honors redid the program's elite levels to achieve clear differentiation, leading to a new higher elite status that gets higher priority and recognition than the 'standard' or 'Aspire' Diamond status. The end result is that it exposes just how stupid and ignorant are statements like @UA-NYC's quoted above.
@UA. Indeed it's bizarre to claim as Diamond he got upgraded 90-100% of the time and then somehow LT Diamond has even more value. Maybe DCS has found a loophole in percentages that applies only to Hilton? Upgraded one hundred and ONE percent of the time now! ;-)
"Hilton offers continental breakfast or a food & beverage credit."
That indeed may be correct for USA properties. However, surely, this statement is not universally accurate, despite the rumour mill spouted by some bloggers?
By way of example of my own Hilton stays as a Diamond member in the last two months):
- Hilton Darwin - full breakfast
- Hilton Sydney - full breakfast
- Hilton Frankfurt Airport - full breakfast
...
"Hilton offers continental breakfast or a food & beverage credit."
That indeed may be correct for USA properties. However, surely, this statement is not universally accurate, despite the rumour mill spouted by some bloggers?
By way of example of my own Hilton stays as a Diamond member in the last two months):
- Hilton Darwin - full breakfast
- Hilton Sydney - full breakfast
- Hilton Frankfurt Airport - full breakfast
- Hilton San Jose CA - credit
Historically full breakfast has been offered during my staysat:
- Hilton Adelaide
- Hilton Brisbane
- Conrad Bora Bora
And, IIRC, Curio West Hotel Sydney.
IMHO there's no problem at all, if folk's personal choices and perceptions of value Hyatt over the alternatives (and the articles gives a laudably comprehensive argument for such).
Yet, it always seems strange that the rationale inevitably relies (at least in part) upon fundamental inaccuracies relating to some benefits and net return, and conveniently ignoring others.
But, if some prefer Hyatt - so be it! Enjoy the ride and travel safe...I've enjoyed the Park Hyatt at Sydney and Milan...
Quite right, @platy. Self-anointed "travel gurus" would present half the story about perks of programs that they wish to disparage, while embellishing those of their preferred programs.
As you just indicated, Hilton Honors free breakfast in the rest of the world is second to none. On the other hand, it's no secret that Hilton Honors free breakfast in the US has never been anything to write home about, which is why I, for one,...
Quite right, @platy. Self-anointed "travel gurus" would present half the story about perks of programs that they wish to disparage, while embellishing those of their preferred programs.
As you just indicated, Hilton Honors free breakfast in the rest of the world is second to none. On the other hand, it's no secret that Hilton Honors free breakfast in the US has never been anything to write home about, which is why I, for one, have no problem with the F&B credit that is being offered (when there is no exec lounge), as I have been using it to offset my bar tabs, since I seldom bothered getting up for breakfast in the US even when it was offered (I suspect it is only a matter of time before it is reinstituted).
Bloggers would rather focus on what has never been a forte of HH (breakfast in the US) than on what the program does quite across the globe, except in the US.
"...does quite WELL across the globe..."
"Bloggers would rather focus on what has never been a forte of HH (breakfast in the US) than on what the program does quite well across the globe"
I suppose you think that's part of their evil plan to disparage Hilton and boost their preferred loyalty program, as opposed to being because these bloggers and the vast portion of their readership are based in the U.S.
"Mikey", is that you reincarnated as JoePro? You sounds just as stupid.
Get lost.
What I don’t love about World of Hyatt
Conveniently not included under that heading is the elephant in the room: WoH is the only major hotel loyalty program that does not offer its members the 4th or 5th award night free, which is quantifiably the single most valuable perk in hotel loyalty. The shortcoming is never mentioned because there is no way to "embellish" or spin it to make it seem better than what the competition offers...
You can use your flawed attempt to “quantify” it all you want - its your subjective opinion.
I and many other Hyatt loyals will happily take advance suite confirmation of up to 28 nights a year, versus a bonus free night at arbitrarily jacked up (Hilton) prices.
Btw - no one cares about your endless pro Hilton rants. Go back to your blog and your ones of readers.
What you really mean is that you'd rather drink the kool-aid and tout made-up benefits or advantages than live in the real world. Be my guest and knock yourself out because even a kindergartener could easily figure out that paying for 4 nights and staying 5 is quantifiably better than paying for 5 nights and staying 5 nights.
@ UA-NYC
Whereas subjective opinions are in play....
...surely, it's not a matter of opinion that the 4th night / 5th night benefit on some non Hyatt hotel loyalty programs (not just Hilton Honors) does not feature in the (otherwise fairly comprehensive) article and also the perceptions of some readers herein? It is a fact.
Also, it's not a matter of opinion that you can determine a mathematically repeatable and absolute value of such benefit...
@ UA-NYC
Whereas subjective opinions are in play....
...surely, it's not a matter of opinion that the 4th night / 5th night benefit on some non Hyatt hotel loyalty programs (not just Hilton Honors) does not feature in the (otherwise fairly comprehensive) article and also the perceptions of some readers herein? It is a fact.
Also, it's not a matter of opinion that you can determine a mathematically repeatable and absolute value of such benefit relative to room cost.
(I have reported such maths in detail on travel blogs in response to certain ignorant comments, comparing the net benefit depending upon number per of nights stayed).
These matters also founded in fact.
To note, also, that benefit and the attendant maths also universally applies.
Of course, yes, suite upgrades can also offer stunning benefit and you can also calculate the value for such on a case-by-case basis. But Hyatt is not alone in offering suite upgrades...;)
The point being made here is that 4th and 5th night free type of benefit sets the loyalty member up from the start, variously delivering zero gain (for short days less than the benefit minimum night stay) or up to a maximum 25% net return (4 nights on a 4th night free and multiples of four nights thereof) or a maximum of 20% net gain (5 nights on a 4th night free and multiples of five nights thereof).
Now add the other benefits, rather than ignore such a foundation as your starting position.
Now, if GHA Discovery had a footprint compatible with your travel needs, you'd be looking at a 24% net return on all stays with no restrictions on redemption availability whatsoever, per the highest loyalty tier (Titanium) achievable in just three one night stays. Then add on your upgrade. Then add your credit card earn.
By all means, determine your preferences based on your subjective opinion, but why refuse to ignore / accept the intrinsic value of certain benefits to the extend that you wantonly denigrate somebody else's opinion on the matter, particularly when you prefer to do the math?
Wouldn't you prefer to make your own personal choices duly informed the underlying maths and accurate perceptions of the comparable benefit sets?
Each to their own...;)
Actually, no. He'd rather drink the kool-aid and claim nonexistent or made-up benefits than to bother with math because that would force him to live in the real world!
I love it DCS, you can't ever lose an argument if you just claim that people who disagree with you "drank the kool-aid." You've really fine-tuned your trolling at this point, bravo. And you eve seem to have created another account that you can pretend to have conversations with!
LOL. I knew that it was just a matter of time before some troll accused @platy of being my alter ego, like over at VFTW!
Also a fact - what's more valuable, a 5th night free (let's say a value of $500) or up to 7 nights of suite upgrades (let's say a very, very lowball differential of $200, likely a lot more)?
Not so clear cut and objective is it now.
You must have flunked kindergarten-level math to come up with a nonsensical and non sequitur scenario that tells one absolutely nothing...
@ UA-NYC
What's more valuable is both the fifth night and the upgrade...;)
@ UA-NYC
FWIW reporting my last stay at a Hyatt - the wonderful folk at Park Hyatt Milan delivered an unsolicited upgrade from base room to a suite on a points redemption with no Hyatt status on my membership....;)
Congrats - midweek in a low period? Check in late at night for a 1 night stay? Have to give added context. I used a TSU for my stay there last summer, but was peak travel season so well worth it, hotel was sold out.
You're making the case btw as to why Hyatt is superior, thanks!
@ UA-NYC
FWIW it was two nights in peak summer season and checking in around 9pm after a first class SEZ-DXB-MXP.
The point is that I didn't have to chase down goodness how many qualifying nights for Globalist status (IIRTC 60 or USD20,000 spend depending upon promos) to get that particular upgrade!
Incidentally, my Hilton Diamond came with my Amex Centurion card, so again no need to fuss about annual night stays, etc.
I simply...
@ UA-NYC
FWIW it was two nights in peak summer season and checking in around 9pm after a first class SEZ-DXB-MXP.
The point is that I didn't have to chase down goodness how many qualifying nights for Globalist status (IIRTC 60 or USD20,000 spend depending upon promos) to get that particular upgrade!
Incidentally, my Hilton Diamond came with my Amex Centurion card, so again no need to fuss about annual night stays, etc.
I simply don't bother chasing hotel loyalty program status anymore.
Arguably, a more pressing issue - to divert the debate - is the creeping issue of cancellation fees and lead times to cancel for various loyalty programs / properties.....;)
I agree WOH Globalist is the best hotel loyalty program but has become much weaker.
Problems, starting in 2022 they increased the number of nights to 60 to qualify. They have closed many of my favorite lounges with no signal of a trend to reopen. Point increases. Also another trend is for weak promotions and targeted offers.
As you mention they also don't earn as many % wise bonus points as a top tier elite...
I agree WOH Globalist is the best hotel loyalty program but has become much weaker.
Problems, starting in 2022 they increased the number of nights to 60 to qualify. They have closed many of my favorite lounges with no signal of a trend to reopen. Point increases. Also another trend is for weak promotions and targeted offers.
As you mention they also don't earn as many % wise bonus points as a top tier elite compared to their competitors. They also don't have a simple way via credit cards to get status just for having the card.
They may have the top elite program but it is trending down by my calculations.
It's always been a weak program that, like SPG, has inexplicably been presented as the very essence of nirvana. The only thing that's changed is that people's actual experiences are colliding against the cheerleaders' "embellishments"...
@DCS is now completing the second week of the "reboot" of his patented 4-week Asian Escapade, which has just confirmed and reinforced the great lengths to which self-anointed "travel gurus" would go to "embellish" their preferred programs' garden variety elite benefits to try to support their bogus claims about how those programs are the "best" or superior to the rest.
In fact,...
@DCS is now completing the second week of the "reboot" of his patented 4-week Asian Escapade, which has just confirmed and reinforced the great lengths to which self-anointed "travel gurus" would go to "embellish" their preferred programs' garden variety elite benefits to try to support their bogus claims about how those programs are the "best" or superior to the rest.
In fact, it looks like others have already jumped in on the act and debunked some of the claims, including the one about how "Hyatt offers the best top tier elite breakfast benefit of any hotel group", which I've repeatedly debunked. Here's how @FNT Delta Diamond yet again obliterated the claim:
To the above Rep. Santos-like "embellishment" of the Hyatt breakfast benefit, which I've also debunked ad nauseam, I will add something that the forum host is well aware of because he's stayed at Hilton properties overseas as a HH "Aspire" Diamond. While, as @FNT Delta Diamond correctly stated, "Hyatt's breakfast benefit is club lounge access at properties with a lounge" and "a restaurant benefit at properties or brands without club lounge", overseas, Hilton Honors Diamonds always have the option to have their free and full breakfast in a restaurant even at properties that have an exec or club lounge. In fact, among Hyatt, IHG and Hilton, only the latter offers that option because, while it is true that "IHG's diamond breakfast benefit is a restaurant breakfast at every brand", IHG Diamonds (like this newly-minted one) have no access to the exec lounge until after they have earned it as a milestone bonus!
I have confirmed most of the preceding on this trip during which I have stayed (a) at the new and amazing Hilton Singapore Orchard (site of the original Mandarin Singapore since 1971 until now); (b) at voco by IHG (site of the original Hilton Singapore since 1971 until now); and (c) at Park Hyatt Saigon, where restaurant breakfast, which I paid for as a mere Discoverist, paled in comparison to the royal feast that I got for free in the "Estate" restaurant at Hilton Singapore Orchard. I also did optionally have breakfast in the exec lounge at Hilton Singapore Orchard -- converted from Mandarin's restaurant known as Top of the M, which is was at one time the highest restaurant in Singapore.
I took lots of photos that I will be happy to post if anyone doubts my account or cares to see what a royal feast of a breakfast looks like...
Oh, and about those suite upgrades, did I mention that on my way from Changi Airport to Hilton Singapore Orchard I'd checked my room assignment on the HH app and found out that I'd been automagically upgraded to a...Corner King Suite?!
G'day!
BTW, according to this site's host, WoH under-promises but over-delivers. However, in the real world, hit is actually HH that under-promises but over-delivers!
Take for example the much-touted 4pm late checkout. At Hilton Singapore Orchard, after checking me in and before I even mentioned it, the agent asked me if I cared to request a late checkout. I indicated that my flight to SGN in 5 days would be at 1:50pm so I did...
BTW, according to this site's host, WoH under-promises but over-delivers. However, in the real world, hit is actually HH that under-promises but over-delivers!
Take for example the much-touted 4pm late checkout. At Hilton Singapore Orchard, after checking me in and before I even mentioned it, the agent asked me if I cared to request a late checkout. I indicated that my flight to SGN in 5 days would be at 1:50pm so I did not need to request a late checkout. However, according self-anointed "travel gurus", that benefit, which I have never been denied in over a decade as a HH Diamond, makes HH a weak program because it is not "guaranteed". Hello?!
And yet, article after article over the years, endless other HH Diamonds talk about being rejected repeatedly for even a 2pm check-out.
You are a true Hilton sociopath, incapable of realizing that your outlier experiences don't match the bulk of experiences out there.
Hey, stupid, I cannot help it if I am just better at playing the game. If that makes me a "sociopath" then so be it. I'd like to think that makes me smarter...
LMAO. Once upon a time, you were at least a sophisticated narcissist. The air of superiority was organic... you could call people stupid all day without actually calling them stupid. The internet obviously eroded that away.
Maybe it's *because* you're a sociopath that you're getting better experiences. I, too might upgrade someone if I was worried they'd cut me otherwise. ;-)
Good to see that you are still as polarized as ever. ;)
Maybe after the conclusion of your patented trip (not sure you can really do that), you can share where would be the royal of the royal feast breakfast. Covid had scaled down breakfast there a lot, even last year. So its good to see some 2023 updated pictures. I don't expect it to come back better than pre-Covid, but at least the same.
...Good to see that you are still as polarized as ever. ;)
Maybe after the conclusion of your patented trip (not sure you can really do that), you can share where would be the royal of the royal feast breakfast. Covid had scaled down breakfast there a lot, even last year. So its good to see some 2023 updated pictures. I don't expect it to come back better than pre-Covid, but at least the same.
And any other differences, if you notice or can tangibly compare, for being a lifetime?
I’m only a lowly Discoverist but have a question: I’ve never been able to actually get late checkout confirmed through the WOH mobile app. I can request it easily but it always shows checkout as 12pm in the stay details. Usually staying at Hyatt Places and Hyatt Houses. Most of the time I won’t even bother to press it and will just leave at noon. But the few times I’ve called downstairs to ask a...
I’m only a lowly Discoverist but have a question: I’ve never been able to actually get late checkout confirmed through the WOH mobile app. I can request it easily but it always shows checkout as 12pm in the stay details. Usually staying at Hyatt Places and Hyatt Houses. Most of the time I won’t even bother to press it and will just leave at noon. But the few times I’ve called downstairs to ask a human about it, I’ve been granted 2pm checkout with no hesitancy at all. Is late checkout even confirmable through the app?
I’ve heard so much about Hyatt Globalist. In 2021 I made the push and finally obtained it. Yet over the past 18 months I’ve not received one suite upgrade. It’s incredibly disappointing. I’m constantly told by hotels they’re “space available.”
Hilton Diamond & Marriott Titanium are better.
...said no one ever (this is coming from a LT Titanium btw)
“can be used to confirm a suite upgrade at the time of booking for a stay of up to seven consecutive nights.“ ?
what am i doing wrong? I have to email my concierge and potentially wait three days for her to respond. more than once I have lost the ability to use a suite upgrade in that time . the inability to use my certificates on the website at the time of making a reservation is ridiculous.
You are not doing anything wrong. You are simply finding out how so-called "confirmed" suite upgrades work in practice vs. how self-anointed "travel gurus" embellish the benefit. Like all elite room (suite) upgrades, they are a crap shoot because they depend on availability, which is itself at the discretion of individual properties. Having to call to "confirm" the upgrades is also huge limitation. At least Hilton Honors has tried to take individual properties out of...
You are not doing anything wrong. You are simply finding out how so-called "confirmed" suite upgrades work in practice vs. how self-anointed "travel gurus" embellish the benefit. Like all elite room (suite) upgrades, they are a crap shoot because they depend on availability, which is itself at the discretion of individual properties. Having to call to "confirm" the upgrades is also huge limitation. At least Hilton Honors has tried to take individual properties out of the equation by automating room upgrades, including to suites, globally. Only time will tell whether even that makes them less of a crap shoot...
Baghdad Bob - with Hyatt you can confirm suites months in advance. Case closed. Keep on twisting the truth for years on end though, it's amusing.
...what you are doing wrong is not calling immediately. Call and you'll be confirmed within 15 minutes usually.
Annoying? Yes. Worth it? Yes.
@Joseph, Request another concierge (you can) as I send out a quick email in three seconds and have a response within minutes during the work week. Clearly yours is not doing his/her job.
Upgrades and breakfast crowding should come a little under control now with most Globalist-lite's expiring in March. Looking forward to the next couple years of travel.
This simply isn't true:
"As far as I’m concerned, Hyatt offers the best top tier elite breakfast benefit of any hotel group, given that full breakfast is offered at all hotels, including gratuity."
Hyatt's breakfast benefit is club lounge access at properties with a lounge. Yes, there's a restaurant benefit at properties or brands without club lounge access but a restaurant breakfast isn't universal.
IHG's diamond breakfast benefit is a restaurant breakfast at every brand.
...This simply isn't true:
"As far as I’m concerned, Hyatt offers the best top tier elite breakfast benefit of any hotel group, given that full breakfast is offered at all hotels, including gratuity."
Hyatt's breakfast benefit is club lounge access at properties with a lounge. Yes, there's a restaurant benefit at properties or brands without club lounge access but a restaurant breakfast isn't universal.
IHG's diamond breakfast benefit is a restaurant breakfast at every brand.
That is objectively better than Hyatt globalist.
Paging @DCS from his vacation to tell us otherwise. ;)
I hope he's on vacation, otherwise someone should be checking the local hospitals.
I'm a diehard AA loyalist, but a holdover from the last gasp of Starwood, so I'm Bonvoy Titanium the last 4+ years. I travel alot, but to some random places sometimes. No hotels in Basel OR Geneva Switzerland for example. Just very odd. Gotta stay Marriott for the time being.
How are the executive lounges with Hyatt? I've been both Hilton Diamond and Bonvoy Titanium for many years, but prefer Marriott because of the prevelance of the executive lounges (90% of my stays are outside the U.S.). Was considering giving Hyatt a try and laying off Hilton.
I think it’s worth noting how Hyatt is devaluing its program. HR Aruba is notorious for having zero points availability. Moreover, the last 5 Hyatt stays I’ve had came along with zero upgrades. Andaz Costa Rica even wanted us to pay more for a bigger suite. Indeed, all these Hyatts play with inventory and the names of rooms/suites to ensure globalists don’t actually get to use many of the benefits. Yes, there’s still value to...
I think it’s worth noting how Hyatt is devaluing its program. HR Aruba is notorious for having zero points availability. Moreover, the last 5 Hyatt stays I’ve had came along with zero upgrades. Andaz Costa Rica even wanted us to pay more for a bigger suite. Indeed, all these Hyatts play with inventory and the names of rooms/suites to ensure globalists don’t actually get to use many of the benefits. Yes, there’s still value to the program. But it’s quickly collapsing.
I think the upgrades at the luxury hotels are more difficult to have a complimentary upgrade. As others have mentioned, using the TSU at these properties can be an amazing use of the upgrade awards for a globalist. I used a TSU at the andaz in costa rica and the room was amazing!
I agree it is the best elite program but the footprint has always been an issue for me domestically in the US. I was an SPG loyalist and largely walked away from Marriott. My loyalty is split between Hilton and Hyatt. I much prefer Hyatt’s premium properties globally but the problem is the almost non-existence of properties in small town USA or even many secondary cities, where my travels often take me.
I’d like...
I agree it is the best elite program but the footprint has always been an issue for me domestically in the US. I was an SPG loyalist and largely walked away from Marriott. My loyalty is split between Hilton and Hyatt. I much prefer Hyatt’s premium properties globally but the problem is the almost non-existence of properties in small town USA or even many secondary cities, where my travels often take me.
I’d like to see more Hyatt Places or maybe another new brand compete against Hamptons, HI Express, Fairfield’s etc. in regional locations.
Agreed. I love roadtripping in the US (I’ve visited all US states many times over and am on my way to visit all national parks) and thus often stay at HGI / Hampton Inn / Fairfield / Holiday Inn Express and similar properties. Hyatt is seldom an option.
There are WHOLE U.S. STATES AND CANADIAN PROVINCES without a SINGLE Hyatt brand. Not even a Hyatt Place.
I think this article at View from the Wing is the best summary of Marriott vs IHG vs Hyatt: https://viewfromthewing.com/249-hotel-nights-later-how-marriott-hyatt-and-ihg-get-it-wrong/
IHG is far from perfect but if you're looking for a Marriott alternative, IHG is everywhere and does have some good properties.
I left the hotel loyalty program hamster wheel a while back. However, if Hyatt had a better footprint, I would go with it. Hyatt seems most likely to deliver on tier benefits.
Ben,
Curious on what your thought on Marriott are in 2023. Looking at redemption values, they are unchanged versus 2022 - we thought they would go fully dynamic, but they haven't. Interesting.
Hyatt is a good program - however, at the end of the day, lack of hotels in key locations make it a secondary one form me.
Have you considered that maybe the Marriott point prices you are observing are in fact fully dynamic? That the room you're booking is not going to 150k points per night as feared?
I agree - and it is much better than I expected. Its a good thing
Pretty sure that starts in March 2023, so there is still time.
It's a fantastic value. Might be worth it for the 4pm checkout alone. I've also found Globalists can get free valet parking even on some cash rates. Not sure if this is just confusion among the hotels about how the rules work, but it's happened a handful of times. The Globalist Concierge on Twitter is terrific too.
I find individual Hyatt's are very likely to offer Globalists one-off, unpublished perks. Boston Harbor used to give Globalists free ferry rides into town, for example. Wouldn't surprise me at all if that's what's going on here.