Hyatt Confirms Points + Cash Devaluation, Announces Additional Changes
Last Friday, we were the first to break the news about an upcoming devaluation to Hyatt's Points + Cash redemptions. Today, Hyatt has confirmed those Points + Cash changes, as well as the introduction of premium suite upgrades. However, the chain has also provided additional information about changes covering a wide range of properties and partnerships. There's a lot to cover, so let's get right down to the details.
Premium Suite Redemptions
Beginning November 1 at 11am Eastern, World of Hyatt members will be able to redeem points for premium suite award nights at double the points required for a standard room:
You can also upgrade from a paid night to a premium suite for 9,000 points per night, regardless of the category of hotel:
Finally, you can redeem points at Miraval Resorts for a free night in a premium suite at the following cost:
Points + Cash Changes
Also beginning on November 1, the cash surcharge on Points + Cash nights will become 50% of the standard room rate instead of a flat amount, in addition to a set amount of points by property category. You will also be able to get Points + Cash awards for standard rooms at MGM properties in Las Vegas and Hyatt Residence Club resorts, which was previously not a possibility. Here is the new Points + Cash chart:
The expansion of Points + Cash redemptions continues with standard suites, premium suites and Miraval Resorts all becoming available on November 1. Here's the award chart for standard suite Points + Cash nights:
And here's the award chart for premium suite Points + Cash nights:
Finally, here are the charts for Miraval Resorts Points + Cash redemptions in standard rooms, standard suites and premium suites:
It appears premium suite award nights, Points + Cash nights for standard or premium suites and Miraval Points + Cash nights will only be available through the World of Hyatt call center. In addition, there's no longer a required minimum length of stay for free nights in suites.
Finally, the property limitations for suite upgrades appear to remain. Suite upgrades are not available at the following properties: Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Park Hyatt Sydney, Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hyatt Regency Tulsa, 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, Spirit Ridge at NK'MIP Resort, Hyatt Place, or Hyatt Residence Club hotels or resorts or M life Rewards destinations.
Suite Definitions and the Loss of United Club Passes
One additional change that wasn't previously reported is bad news for Globalist members: Starting January 1, 2019, World of Hyatt Globalist members will no longer receive two United Club one-time passes upon achieving status by completing 60 qualifying nights or earning 100,000 base points. All existing passes will be honored through their expiration dates. Members can continue to earn miles with United Airlines for Hyatt hotel stays and convert World of Hyatt points to miles with MileagePlus.
There's one final detail which answers one of our initial questions when we first reported the news last week, and it's not good. At most Hyatt properties, once you get beyond a standard suite, the high tier suites can vary wildly in size and luxury, leaving it unclear as to how a "premium suite" is defined. But buried in the updated World of Hyatt terms and conditions is the following note:
"Points + Cash Awards are not valid for Standard Suites or Premium Suites at Hyatt Place hotels, M life Rewards destinations, or any of the Suite Award Ineligible Properties and are not valid for Premium Suites at Hyatt Residence Club resorts or at any hotel and resort that does not have Premium Suites (even if such hotel or resort has Specialty, Premier, Presidential or Diplomatic Suite or similar suite categories)" [emphasis added]
That last bit is the important part, where properties who indeed have higher-tier suites may protect them by naming them any of those other descriptive words. So if you're looking for one of the best suites in the property, it still may not be available for award nights if the property decides it doesn't want premium suites. This is exactly the kind of loophole Hyatt properties like to take advantage of when manipulating award space and protecting rooms from award redemptions.
Bottom Line
Hyatt Points + Cash redemptions have been my favorite way to use Hyatt points and provided incredible value when revenue rates were high. In one week, that redemption avenue will be decimated. Expanding this devalued redemption avenue to Mlife, Hyatt Residence Club and Miraval Resorts appears like goodwill, but in reality, it won't be a way to get the most value out of your Hyatt points moving forward.
Premium suite redemptions can be a great addition if properties adequately define and identify which suites will be eligible. Using 9,000 points per night — instead of paying double the points compared to a standard room — would be my recommended avenue to scoring yourself a great suite. I don't see much to get excited about today, and losing my two annual visits to the Atlanta (ATL) United Club is really a final prod I could have done without.
Photo by RiverNorthPhotography / Getty Images.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.