Hyatt Points Advance Guide
Hyatt has a feature known as Points Advance, which is similar to Marriott’s now-ending feature of the same name. With Hyatt’s upcoming category changes, I wanted to book point stays even though I don’t have enough in my account. Because of this, I wanted to take a closer look at the benefit. It is valuable, but it does come with a few catches.
What Is Points Advance
Hyatt Points Advance is a feature that allows you to book any Hyatt property with points without having the points upfront. For example, if you see availability at the Ventana Big Sur, which is usually quite hard to find point availability for, but don’t have the points for, it is possible to book a points advance stay here, and then as long as you have points within a week, you can have that availability and point price locked in. The only thing to note is if you don’t have sufficient points 7 days before your stay, the stay will become a cash stay. Thus, it is best to cancel the stay if you don’t have enough points.
Can Any World of Hyatt Member Make A Points Advance Booking?
The pro or con, depending on how you see it, is that the Points Advance feature is only for Globalists. The reason for this is that the only type of World of Hyatt account that is allowed to have a negative points balance, provided that the account holder has the intent to accumulate the required number of points. According to the World of Hyatt terms and conditions, it also goes on to say that “If the elite Member does not have the sufficient number of points or the applicable voucher in his or her account as the check-in date of the Award Reservation nears (as determined by Hyatt in its sole discretion), the reservation may be canceled or changed by Hyatt in its sole discretion to the then-current Standard Rate for the applicable room.”
How Do You Book a Points Advance Booking?
It is not possible to book this rate online, but, it is possible to book it by calling the World of Hyatt Globalist number at (800) 544-9288.
Can You Use a Suite Night Award on a Points Advance Booking?
No, the Terms and Conditions of the World of Hyatt Program state, “If the award the elite Member attempted to use is a Room Upgrade Award, the upgrade may be refused”. This is the only drawback of Points Advance, but I think it is overall quite minor.
Can The Award Price Be Increased After the Category Changes?
This is something that is super important to consider. The main reason I put some award reservations on hold, is that it’s good to lock in the price before the category change. Fortunately, Hyatt confirmed with me that once the points advance booking is booked, the old price will remain in effect. This is especially useful considering Hyatt’s upcoming category changes.
Hyatt Points Advance Guide – Conclusion
Overall, Hyatt Points Advance has to be the most underrated Globalist perk, as it means you can book a hotel room on points even if you don’t have enough. The only drawback is that it isn’t possible to apply a Suite Upgrade Award. But that’s overall quite minor.
What are your thoughts on the Hyatt Points Advance feature? Have you used it before? Let me know in the comments below!
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Any ideas on the cancellation terms for points advance bookings?
They generally are the same as if you had booked a normal award reservation with points in your account. That varies by hotel, but you can see it if you try to make an award booking.
Thanks so much, John Ryan! This is great information! So helpful☀️
Thanks Kate! Glad you enjoyed it.
Lol. I’ve got about 500k in “insufficient points” bookings because of the changes today. Only pain is that you can’t do it with SLH hotels, so I had to shift several bookings, but managed a lot of bucket list places on there.
I really do love this benefit, have used it for years.
You can apply a SUA to a points advance booking.
You cannot do a GOH with a points advance booking.
My apologies, you cannot apply a SUA to a points advance booking. A CSR told me this incorrectly. Great article John Ryan, more like this please!
Does anyone know if this can be used in combination with a guest of honor booking?
Great question! I’m not completely sure, but if I had a guess, it would probably be whatever the non points advance award cancellation policy.