Starting January 7, 2014, along with a new award chart, Hyatt is adding additional features to their loyalty program:
- Points + Cash Option
- My Elite Rate – 20% Discount For Elite Members
- 24 Month Extension on Point Life
Points + Cash
Hyatt’s Points + Cash option, is very similar to Starwood’s Cash + Points program.
You pay cash and half the points for an award stay under both Starwood’s Cash + Points program and Hyatt’s Points + Cash option.
It costs more Points + Cash to redeem standard rooms at Hyatt than at Starwood, but there are no hotel exclusions.
You can use Points + Cash to stay at any Hyatt hotel worldwide. At Starwood, some hotels are excluded while at others, Cash + Points can only be used on upgraded rooms and/or suites.
With both Starwood and Hyatt, Points + Cash rooms are subject to availability.
You can’t book a Points + Cash room at Hyatt online as you can with Starwood. You have to call Hyatt at 1-800-228-3360.
Elite Stay Credit
You get elite stay credit when booking a Points + Cash room with Starwood and Hyatt.
Starwood doesn’t let you earn points on the cash portion of your Cash + Points reservation. But you will earn Hyatt points on the cash portion of your Points + Cash booking.
My Elite Rate – 20% discount for elites
Beginning January 7, 2014 Hyatt will add new feature called My Elite Rate.
My Elite Rates gives Platinum and Diamond members a 20% discount off the daily rate.
The 20% off savings might be less other available discounts such as AAA rate or an Advanced Purchase rate.
24 Month Extension On Point Life
Hyatt is extending the point inactivity from 12 months to 24 months.
So you’ll have two years to keep your account active.
You can keep your Hyatt account active by:
- Having a World of Hyatt credit card
- Earning or redeeming Hyatt points from Hyatt stays and participating M life properties stays
- Purchasing or combining points, transferring Free Night Awards or converting points to miles
I’m excited about the new features, especially the discount for elites and getting points on Points + Cash nights.
What do you think of the new features?
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