Hyatt has announced that they’re launching a new veteran and military rate as of today, Friday, October 28, 2018, just a couple of weeks before Veterans Day.
Hyatt says that they are “committed to strengthen its benefits around the US military community” by introducing a new US veteran and military rate.
Participating hotels and resorts in the US are offering individuals who have served or are currently serving in any official government-sponsored branch of the United States armed forces a discount of between 10% and 15%. This discount is off the Hyatt standard rate, and the rate is still eligible for earning World of Hyatt points and receiving elite night credits.
In order to take advantage of this rate, you’ll want to book on Hyatt’s website or through their cell center with the offer code MILVET.
Then at check-in guests have to present a valid U.S. veteran or military ID, or documented proof of military service. This discount is non-transferable, other than to immediate family members, and is valid for up to two guest rooms per stay.
It’s nice that Hyatt is offering this, though in reality this isn’t that exceptional, and just about anyone should be able to score a discount similar to this. Sometimes this one will be a bit better, sometimes other discounts will be a bit better.
AAA members often receive 10% or more off the standard room rate, and Hyatt also has special rates for World of Hyatt members, which includes both special pre-paid and flexible rates (while this discount is only off standard rates).
To test out this discount I looked at three different types of hotels.
First I looked at the Hyatt Place in Tampa, where the military rate was $106, the AAA rate was $112, and the standard rate was $124.
Then I looked at the Hyatt Regency in Dallas, where the military rate was $153, the AAA “hot deal” rate (still refundable) was $149, and the standard rate was $169.
Lastly I looked at the Park Hyatt Washington, where the military rate was $309, the AAA rate was $309, and the standard rate was $339.
As you can see, in one case the AAA rate was better, in one case the military rate was better, and in one case they were the same.
So if you are in the military or are a veteran (thanks for your service), this rate is at least worth being aware of when going through the process of making a booking with Hyatt.
Dear Lucky,
thank you for reporting freshly introduced military and veteran's rate.
Sorry that I have to take the role of the doubter here: I think this move is very risky for all customers and hotels participating in it.
The discount of 10 or 15 % comes with the risk of being identified as military/spouse/veteran. The rate code will be registered in the IT and noone can be sure that there won't be...
Dear Lucky,
thank you for reporting freshly introduced military and veteran's rate.
Sorry that I have to take the role of the doubter here: I think this move is very risky for all customers and hotels participating in it.
The discount of 10 or 15 % comes with the risk of being identified as military/spouse/veteran. The rate code will be registered in the IT and noone can be sure that there won't be a data breach in the future.
Then the hacker would get a full list of those customers who have used this rate, e.g. when stealing data from a specific hotel.
Together with the address of the customer registered and on the hotel bill this is too much danger for a tiny gesture for the military and veterans.
Military ID and civilian - comparatively unsecure - OT simply doesn't fit together.
I can just suggest all who are serving in military or being veterans just to enroll in the loyalty programme "World of Hyatt". This often has also 10 % on the rates without the need to presend the military ID.
Without risking confidential information.
Just my opinion....
@ faww
Maybe one day you'll grow up.
How about we quit fawning over the military and give discounts to teachers instead. Oh I forgot, they're "protecting our freedom" by constantly invading other countries for no reason
I say hooah
What is the benefit to the hotels to offer this, just wondering?
@ TJ -- Presumably to increase business. People are more likely to stay with a brand that's offering a discount to them specifically. It's the same reason hotels often extend discounts to groups like AAA, etc.
Any word on what 'immediate family' means? I'm immediate family but I don't have a dependent card, yet terms say you must show your card at checkin. Vague terms on that one...
@ Robert -- The terms state the following:
"limited to parents, children/legal wards, spouses and domestic partners"
I can't imagine they'd question you if you have a picture of the immediate family member's military ID, or at least that's my assumption.
@Paul:
I have a Dropbox folder with all my pertinent documents (PDFs of DD 214, auto insurance, etc.) available on my phone. Or, take a picture of it and keep these types of photos in an album as a "digital wallet". That's gotten me out of several jams when keeping paper documents was not feasible or simply not possible but I needed them.
Would be nice to provide evidence of military service in my profile, instead of carrying a copy of my DD214 each time. Some states ( e.g.) allow a Vetern designation on your driver’s license after proof of service to the DMV. It would be nice if that would be adequate proof.
@Jason do you mean US military in other countries of foreign military in US
Nice to see as an option. Very surprised took them this long. Marriott and Hilton still offer better military discounts.
@ Jason....You’ll just have to look at each property with that code. I know Hilton and Marriott offer it at properties in Panama and Canada.
This has been showing in searches all week. IHG has added same as well.
Does this happen for the military in other countries as well?