They say that every cloud has a silver lining (photo: pixabay)
Anyone who is interested in World of Hyatt knows that the hotel chain introduced peak and off peak award redemptions yesterday. While many said they weren’t surprised by this announcement, it was nevertheless a pretty devastating blow to most.
So, while Hyatt said they weren’t announcing any new hotel category levels beyond a category 8, with the new peak pricing, one could easily say they introduced a category 8 1/2 or 8+ (How’d they sneak the category 8 in anyway?).
This news may be dismal, but the eternal optimist in me, yes, the Pollyanna, is always looking for a silver lining. This post is designed to find the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives. Here’s what I’ve come up with – feel free to add (or disagree) in the comments.
- High season travelers – more award availability. Are you a high season traveler? Do you go to Hawaii, Florida or the Caribbean during holiday weeks in the winter and Easter/Passover? . . . Do you remember how often the hotel (such as the Andaz Maui) simply didn’t offer point redemptions for stays during high season? Well maybe now, with peak pricing, there’ll be more availability albeit at a higher point redemption price.
- Fair-weather/ off season travelers – benefit of off peak awards. How many times have I traveled to a destination that is in it’s winter season? (Rio, Buenos Aires, Australia and New Zealand, to name a few). I’ve also seen snow in Kyoto, Helsinki and Copenhagen (and I hate snow!). And I’ve gone on vacation to Arizona when the temperatures are over 100 degrees. Well, maybe people like me are in luck. Maybe we’ll get to take advantage of lower off-peak award redemptions!
- The 1.5, 2.5. 3.5, 4.5, etc. category hotels won’t change categories. Perhaps the hotels that are “in between” categories (especially many of the category 4s), won’t be increasing to the full next level.
- It doesn’t start until March 2020. In other words, you have 3 months to get your ducks (and trips) in order. If the point price goes down, you’ll get credit. If it goes up, you won’t be charged extra.
- It could have been worse. Be happy it wasn’t worse. I’m not big on this sort of rationalizing, but many of you are. So, this one’s for you.
Hey, I’m trying here to look on the bright side. What positives have you come up with?
Have a great day, and always remember to look at the bright side.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Don’t expect more availability, hotels aren’t receiving greater compensation when Hyatt charges you more points.
Thanks Gary. You’d think that the hotels would at some point protest that?
This is how it works elsewhere too. Hotels get more money when they’re almost sold out. The loyalty program wants to charge more points in those situations. Marriott hotels don’t get more in peak periods, or less during off-peak, off peak are just times the chain is certain not to have to pay the overrides.