Today is the final day to book Hyatt Gold Passport awards under the 2014 rate chart – effective at midnight CT the 2015 chart kicks in, which will see several properties going up one category.
If you are booked in one of the properties that is going down in category, you need not take any action – Hyatt will automatically refund the difference in points.
You can review the hotels changing categories here.
Of particular note are three properties going up in category—
- Park Hyatt Seoul from Category 4 to Category 5
- Andaz Amsterdam from Category 5 to Category 6
- Park Hyatt Maldives from Category 6 to Category 7
I just booked five nights at the Park Hyatt Maldives and just look at the incredible value Hyatt points are —
25,000 points per night versus $1641 per night for a non-refundable rate. Had cash + points been available, it would have only been 12,500 points plus $150/night (sadly, I have never seen cash + points availability at this property). Not that I would ever pay that much for a hotel room, but that is 6.5 cents per points in theoretical value and I only value Chase points at 2 cents each.
Two Essential Tricks for Booking Future Stays
1. Book Each Night Separately
Last year Hyatt did allow date modifications under the old rate through April, but there is no indication it will allow that again.
If not, it is in your best interest (unless you are doing a suite stay) to book each night separately.
I booked each of my five nights on a separate reservation at the Park Hyatt Maldives because if I need to cancel one night at the start or end of the trip (I have not booked flights yet), I can do so without affecting the rate for the other nights. Had I booked everything on one reservation, a cancellation of the first night would have triggered the new Category 7 rate (30K points per night, instead of 25K points per night) for the remaining four nights.
2. Reservations Can be Made Over the Phone through February 2016
When I was calling about points + cash availability, the agent indicated that she could book through 14 February 2016, a full month later than what can be booked on Hyatt.com. If your travel plans will not commence until next year, note that many properties can booked in late January / early February 2016 by calling Hyatt Gold Passport, but not online.
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Reservations at the Park Hyatt Maldives must be cancelled at least 60 days in advance, but most properties have a much closer-in cancellation period – if your hotel is going up in category today is the day to book, even if you must cancel it later. Remember that Hyatt partners with Chase Ultimate Rewards and transfers are instant.
Hi Matthew,
Do you have any history with non-cancellable awards and Hyatt Gold Passport? I just made a speculative booking at the HR Nice, but noticed this is the cancellation policy: NON REFUNDABLE/FULL PREPAYMENT/NO CHANGES (in red).
I’ve never not been able to cancel an award before…do you think HGP can help if my flights don’t align?
Thanks!
Hi David,
That is very odd — I’ve never seen that before on a Gold Passport rate. I would reach out to GP if you find you cannot make your booked dates and let me know what happens.