Hyatt Adds Elite Perks, Changes Award Prices

The latest changes to Hyatt's Gold Passport program, announced today, include a modest upgrade to its elite benefits and both increases and decreases to award prices at 43 hotels.

New Elite Benefits

Effective today, Gold Passport Diamond elites will receive the following additional benefits:

Later check-out - Diamond members may check out as late as 4 p.m., versus 2 p.m. previously (subject to availability at resorts and casino hotels).
Nightly room refresh - Diamond members' rooms "receive a nightly room refresh to ensure that their stay is as comfortable and luxurious as possible. This includes light housekeeping and bedroom turndown service."
New welcome amenity - Diamond members can choose to receive a complimentary beverage at Hyatt Place and a $5.00 credit at the Guest Market at Summerfield Suites, or continue to receive 500 bonus points at either brand.

Gold Passport has two elite levels: Platinum, earned after five stays or 15 nights during a calendar year; and Diamond, earned after 25 stays or 50 nights.

Bottom line: While the new amenities and room-refresh have a negligible effect on the value of Diamond status, the 4 p.m. late check-out is a significant benefit.

Award Price Changes

Effective September 1, award nights at 18 Hyatt Gold Passport hotels will require fewer points and 25 will require more points.

For example, the Hyatt Place Atlanta will be re-categorized from a Category 1 hotel to a Category 2 hotel, resulting in an increase in award-night prices from 5,000 points to 8,000 points. And the Hyatt Place Greensboro will change from a Category 3 hotel to a Category 2 property, resulting in an award-night price decrease from 12,000 to 8,000 points.

The changes will be posted on Hyatt's website from August 4. In the meantime, see below:

Hyatt will not be adding a new higher-priced award category, as several hotels have done recently. Prices for award nights for standard rooms continue to range from 5,000 points for Category 1 hotels to 22,000 points for category 6 hotels.

Bottom line: Taken together, the award price increases and decreases more or less cancel each other out. So the program's overall value proposition remains unchanged.

Action item: Gold Passport members should consult the list to determine whether the changes will affect any planned award stays on or after September 1. If so, they should book before that date to lock in lower prices at hotels whose prices will rise, or delay booking to take advantage of award prices that will decline.

Reader Reality Check

How do these changes affect your perception of Hyatt's Gold Passport program?

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