Preference for Not Consistently Choosing Hyatt Hotels, Despite Being a World Traveler
In the world of luxury travel, the World of Hyatt Globalist status is a coveted achievement, offering a multitude of benefits at Hyatt hotels. However, for some members, the decision to stay at non-Hyatt properties isn't a choice driven by loyalty, but by practicality and value.
One of the greatest advantages of Hilton's free night rewards is their versatility, allowing members to redeem them for maximum value at almost any property where standard award redemptions are available. In contrast, Hyatt's footprint is not as extensive as that of Hilton, IHG, or Marriott, resulting in a lack of Hyatt hotels or limited options in certain areas. This is a challenge faced by many Globalist members, who, when visiting cities like Medellin, Santa Marta, or Cali in Colombia, find no Hyatt hotels.
In such situations, the decision to stay at non-Hyatt properties becomes a matter of convenience and cost. For instance, during a family trip to London, the author found a more affordable and family-friendly accommodation option at a Hilton hotel, rather than booking multiple rooms or paying a high price for a suite at a Hyatt hotel.
Location convenience is another factor influencing the choice of non-Hyatt properties. In some destinations, Hyatt properties may be limited or less conveniently located. A Globalist member might prefer a more conveniently located hotel or one that better suits their itinerary, even if it is not in Hyatt’s portfolio.
The cost or availability of Hyatt hotels might not always justify exclusively staying within the brand, especially considering the effort and expense required to maintain Globalist status. Even though Globalist status offers many benefits at Hyatt hotels—like suite upgrades, complimentary breakfast, lounge access, late checkout, and waived resort fees—members sometimes find better deals or experiences at non-Hyatt hotels.
Some members adopt a hybrid loyalty strategy, leveraging Globalist benefits when it makes sense but mixing in stays at other properties for variety, program diversification, or geographic convenience. The inability to use all upgrades or benefits consistently might lead members to explore other options.
Certain awards and benefits are limited to Hyatt properties only, which may influence a member’s stay decisions depending on the purpose of the stay. For guests who have the World of Hyatt Credit Card, some prefer to use a hybrid approach combining credit card spend and actual stays to earn status but may prefer non-Hyatt hotels for some leisure or business stays where benefits at Hyatt don't add enough incremental value.
In La Barra, Uruguay, there were no Hyatt options, and the small boutique hotels couldn't accommodate a family. In such instances, renting a gorgeous Airbnb right on the beach becomes a more logical choice.
Hilton, on the other hand, offers its members the opportunity to earn uncapped free night rewards through their 4 Hilton Honors co-branded credit cards. This flexibility in earning rewards can make Hilton a more attractive option for some Globalist members seeking a balance between loyalty benefits and overall travel needs and value.
In summary, while World of Hyatt Globalist status offers a strong set of perks at Hyatt hotels, some members choose non-Hyatt properties due to location convenience, better pricing/availability, personal preference, and limitations in benefit usage, balancing loyalty benefits against overall travel needs and value.
- In contrast to the versatility of Hilton's free night rewards, the limited footprint of Hyatt hotels can make finding options challenging in certain destinations, such as Medellin, Santa Marta, or Cali in Colombia.
- Sometimes, the high cost or limited availability of Hyatt hotels doesn't justify exclusive staying within the brand, and members might find better deals or experiences at non-Hyatt hotels, like a more affordable and family-friendly Hilton hotel in London.
- In some instances, non-Hyatt properties, such as small boutique hotels or Airbnbs, might be a more logical choice due to unavailability of Hyatt options or inability to accommodate larger groups, like in La Barra, Uruguay.
