The Andaz free minibar is here to stay, Hyatt tells TPG
This post has been updated with new information from Hyatt. It was originally published on Dec. 8, 2022.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced that Hyatt's Andaz brand was making changes to one of its most beloved perks: its complimentary minibars stocked with nonalcoholic beverages and local snacks.
A guest at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows was the first to notice the change and shared in a post on FlyerTalk (first reported by View From the Wing), that the only complimentary item offered in the room was bottled water — a departure from the local snacks, sodas and other goodies usually offered for free.
"We are currently working to refresh the Andaz minibar experience to better suit the needs of today’s travelers," Hyatt said in a statement to VFTW published Tuesday. "During this interim period, properties can determine what minibar selections are offered on a complimentary basis."
This vague statement left us with questions about the future of free items altogether and seemed in stark contrast to Andaz's own website which reads, “Our complimentary minibar invites guests to taste local treats and nonalcoholic beverages.”
On Wednesday, TPG reached out to Hyatt for further clarification on Andaz's current and previous brand standards regarding the complimentary minibar items to get a better understanding of the changes and what guests should expect moving forward. Despite multiple follow-ups for more than a day, Hyatt declined to comment.
After we published the original article, Hyatt returned with the following statement:
"As one of the first hospitality brands to deliver such a differentiating guest experience, the Andaz brand is proud to offer complimentary mini bars as a brand standard. Though the specific quantities and items may vary by property, we understand this is an offering guests have come to know, love and expect, and as such, we are pleased to continue to offer it.
While this standard was impacted during the pandemic and hotels have local flexibility within their individual markets, we will be sure that each of our Andaz hotels are living up to this brand standard fully, delivering unique items such as non-alcoholic beverages beyond water and local snacks."
Some travelers may think that paying $4 for a soda or $8 for a bag of chips is trivial, but as we stated previously, travelers are tired of the nickel-and-dime effect that's rippled across the hotel industry during the pandemic — especially at brands where we expect consistency.
For Andaz in particular, guests have always loved entering a room knowing that there's a little treat that won't break the bank waiting by the minibar, like locally baked New York brownies at the Andaz 5th Avenue, fiber-filled Enjambre bars at the Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya in Mexico, Maui-style potato chips at the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in Hawaii or plantain chips and garlic peanuts at the Andaz Bali.
"Looking ahead, as a result of continuing to listen to our guests and members, we are currently working to reimagine the Andaz minibar experience to better suit the needs of today’s travelers and to highlight local purveyors to tailor minibar provisions to reflect both its hotel and destination," Hyatt added in its statement to TPG.
Though we're excited to see what the reimagined product will look like, it's still disappointing to see at least one property cut all complimentary items but water — even if it's just in the interim.
Bottom line
We're glad to hear Hyatt promise to enforce "complimentary mini bars as a brand standard" and that it's doubling down on the product to make it more unique and individualized across properties. However, it's also disappointing that some hotels seem to have completely done away with those little free goodies in the meantime.
As insignificant as it might seem to some, it's oftentimes the most subtle part of a brand's standards that build the most loyal following. Unexpected changes to the things we love most about a hotel or brand can be a reminder that there are a lot of hotels and brands to choose from.
As always, we'll keep you updated on changes across the hotel industry, from massive new hotel projects to the smallest bag of chips.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.