Hey 2017 – it’s not all doom and gloom after all. While most travel loyalty program news involves fretful changes and shifting finish lines, there’s a major win for travelers today in the hotel world. Hyatt has just announced sweeping changes to it’s World of Hyatt loyalty program – and they’re all positive. Yes – there’s good news.
Free Nights Count
Starting January 1st “all free night awards” will count towards World of Hyatt elite status. Yes, that means your stays using points, credit card free night certificates and other means will all count towards your yearly goal. This is an immediate boost for travelers who collect points, and especially those who collect Chase Ultimate Rewards Points and apply them toward stays. This has been directly communicated to God Save The Points from Hyatt HQ, so we assure you it’s accurate.
Extended Certificates
Free night certificates earned from staying 30 or 60 nights in a year will have their validity extended to 180 days after issuance. This applies to all certificates issued after January 1st, 2018. More time to use certificates, less problems. This is yet another positive change, allowing member flexibility.
Positive Moves
Hyatt’s Globalist status is a distant goal for many travelers, but one that’s far more possible now. 60 nights a year in Hyatt hotels, regardless of how the stays are booked shows incredible loyalty – and it’s wonderful to see a chain reflecting this loyalty. Without the fast tracks and status offers found from the likes of Marriott, SPG and Hilton, we don’t expect the loyalty ranks to get flooded anytime soon though. This is a win for everyone.
How do you feel about these new moves?
Featured image courtesy of the Andaz Tokyo, a wonderful place to stay.
This is a welcome start but it’s still not enough to entice me to seek out Globalist again for next year. Lowering the night and/or returning to a stay option requirement is the only consideration that HYATT should have if they wish to remain competitive.
I will make it the 60 nights level again this year. Most of my stays are in China and Japan. My experience is that the staff of these hotels are frequently quite ignorant of the basics of the world of Hyatt scheme. This suggests a rather weak corporate identity and the need for a hell of a lot more training for front of office staff. It used to be the case that you would meet staff who were doing assignments in other hotels but now this is a rarity. There is an insularity of outlook now. Compared to their schemes such as Qantas Frequent flyer this scheme is not well implemented.
Very interesting insights Thomas. I don’t doubt it. I never like seeing staff who aren’t aware of benefits, perks, or protocols.
Does this still apply for 2021? I’m working on globalist status and am looking to book via Prive with cash or use Hyatt points for a stay in December. Want to make sure if I book using only points that I’ll get elite night credits.