Is Hyatt Globalist Status Worth It?
Hyatt, how dare you raise your rates, introduce peak pricing and bump a whole bunch of great properties to the next level. You torpedoed the value of free night certificates along the way too, just for good measure. I’ll show you Hyatt, time to ditch my Globalist status! Time to move all my stays to Hilton. I say all of this in jest of course, although there is a kernel of truth in everything above. The reason I am moving on from top tier elite status is because I asked myself the question, is Hyatt Globalist status worth it? And, I came to the conclusion that it is not, not for me at least.
What Does World of Hyatt Globalist Get You?
Since we are discussing the value of World of Hyatt Globalist status I should show you what it provides. Here are the more valuable perks of the program:
- Free breakfast or club access (up to 2 adults and 2 children)
- 30% bonus on Hyatt points earning (6.5 total per $1).
- Resort fees waived on paid and award stays (eligible rates).
- Room upgrades, standard suites when they are available at check in.
- 4 p.m. late check out, if available.
- Free parking on award stays (just charge the parking to your room). This will even sometimes include valet parking if self parking is not available.
- 48 hour guarantee availability
- Guest of honor bookings – give the gift of your status to others on award bookings.
Free breakfast, waived resort fees and free parking can add up to some huge savings on your travels. Especially if you are spending enough nights in hotels to earn the status in the first place. But, what if you aren’t? What if you do a mattress run, book cheap cash rates or spend a ton on the World of Hyatt credit card to earn the status every year? Is it still worth it then?
Why I Chased World of Hyatt Globalist Status Last Year
For the last several years I have been a World of Hyatt Explorist member. I consistently ended up with around 40 nights each year organically. The nights would mostly come from stays, but, would also include ones earned from my World of Hyatt credit card. You could call it a 75% stays, 25% credit card split.
Last year Hyatt created some amazing opportunities early in the year. They slashed the required nights from Globalist status from 60 nights to 30 nights. World of Hyatt also kicked off the year offering double elite nights for every stay. That essentially cut down earning Globalist status to as little as 10 nights, if you played it right at least. The opportunity was just too good to pass up.
The deal was so good that I even threw some money at it using a deal an MtM Diamond member had worked out with a property. A low cost room with no required check in or check out. Overall, I threw $400 in cold hard cash at it.
I was willing to spend the money for a few reasons. First, I new earning the status last year would give me Globalist status until February of 2023. That was more than enough time, over two years worth, to get back $400 in value from the status. Even if used it sparingly I should be able to hit that. Another reason was because it was the height of the pandemic and I was a bit bored to be honest. I missed travel and this was something to look forward too. Lastly, I wanted to see how the other side lived. Yeah, I had experienced Globalist status via Guest of Honor but I wanted to be the headliner for once. All of those wrapped into one made it worth it to me.
This is all similar to why I went after Delta status last year too.
Is Hyatt Globalist Status Worth It? Not For Me
It is the beginning of 2022 and the beginning of the year is the time to decide if you are getting back up on that elite status hamster wheel or not. After a long look in the mirror I decided I was not a willing participant. That isn’t to say Hyatt Globalist isn’t a valuable status, it is, but it just isn’t as useful to me. My travel patterns don’t match up with it well to be honest. And, that is a point I really want to hammer home here. Just because a status is valuable, or the best out there, which both things are true here, it doesn’t mean that it will be a good fit for you. Here are the reasons Hyatt Globalist status isn’t worth it for me.
I Love Hyatt Place
Hyatt Place is probably my favorite hotel brand, mainly because it is the best hotel for a family of four in my opinion. You have two beds and a pull out couch, and that couch makes all the difference when you have a growing boy that kicks all night. I always struggle to sleep in a hotel room but it gets even worse when you have four people sharing two beds. That, and I kind of like the consistency of Hyatt Place hotels. For those reasons a good portion of our stays are at Hyatt Place or Hyatt House where top tier status is pretty much worthless.
I love Category 1 & 2 Hotels
One of my favorite things about the World of Hyatt program are their affordable award nights. No 130,000 night rooms here! I especially love category 1 and 2 hotel stays. Nothing like knowing this night was created free by one Staples gift card run. Thanks Ultimate Rewards! Category 1 and 2 hotels, at least in the US, are rarely full service properties. And that is where status makes a difference.
Category 4 Free Night Certs Devalued
Going back to my tongue in cheek opening lines there is some truth to free night certs getting nuked a bit. Over the last few years Hyatt has moved most of the domestic resorts out of the Category 3 and 4 levels where credit card certificates can be used. My latest favorite use of them, the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay is getting kicked up to category 5. Major cities are usually tough sledding here too and Hyatt took away Gild Hall from us NYC lovers as well. With less true resorts in the category 4 section that means less outsized value from my Hyatt Globalist status.
I Don’t Always Eat Breakfast
If you read my Hilton breakfast piece then you realize that I often skip breakfast. I actually like the property credit you get from Hilton because of it’s flexibility. I just used it on dessert this weekend when I knew we would be leaving early and couldn’t grab breakfast. How awesome would it be if you got a $100 property credit at Hyatt instead of breakfast credit? Think about it Hyatt!
Free breakfast is by far the most valuable perk of Gloablist status and if you aren’t maximizing it then the value of top tier Hyatt status wanes a bit. Plus, if I am staying at a lot of Hyatt House and Hyatt Place hotels breakfast is already included for all. The times I need breakfast, and am with my family, that is when I can use some of my lounge access certificates as an Explorist.
Guest Of Honor Still An Option
There are of course times when the hotel doesn’t have a lounge and breakfast is extremely expensive everywhere. Think Hawaii etc. That is when Guest of Honor could come in handy. Guest of Honor is a really cool program where a Globalist member can book an award stay for you and gift you their status. With Hyatt being very generous about points sharing this is fairly easy to pull off. One thing I have a lot of in my life is friends who are Globalists. So I can always make this work the few times Globalist status is needed each year.
I Don’t Rent Cars
Lastly, I should point out that I rarely rent cars while traveling. This limits the value of free parking, which can be a massive savings sometimes. I do plan on taking advantage of this in Chicago this summer while checking out the baseball stadiums though. For some reason Chicagoland likes to sometimes charge more for parking than for their rooms…it is crazy! Any time I could really use this perk Guest of Honor would of course come into play too.
Is Hyatt Globalist Status Worth It? Final Thoughts
So, is Hyatt Globlist status worth it? The answer to the million dollar question is of course, it depends. Do you mostly stay at full service properties where World of Hyatt Globalist status pays off in spades? If yes, then go for it. But, if you travel like me the calculations could be a bit different. If you don’t maximize the status or stay at hotels where it truly shines then is it really worth it? Always remember that just because something is the best there is, it doesn’t mean it is the best there is for you!
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Mark-I am a new, 1st time Globalist for this year. As I haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience it, assuming there is no Club lounge within the hotel can you tell me for the free hot breakfast option where there is no restaurant but a full kitchen (not sure yet if there originally was one and it closed) that allows for room service delivery instead of the available cold/continental ‘grab and go’ do you still have to pay for the added service (20%) and delivery charge ($7) or is that covered as well? If so, that seems like a deterrent or negative especially when there isn’t a dining option available to sit down let along get a full hot meal. Thanks for the info.
Everything should be included with room service if that is an option given to you at the hotel because the restaurant is closed.
Thanks. What I don’t know is if in this new COVID/post-COVID model where hotels have closed their full service, sit down restaurants (with servers) and/or moved to a grab & go, take away option, will hotels claim that there is a ‘free’ option available to guests and that using room service is a choice that comes with additional charges. Hoping (and unsure) if the free breakfast for Globalist covers all cost…except an extra tip to the delivery person. 🙂
Globalist has great benefits. If you can use it. For the same 8 Hyatt properties worldwide that are discussed (Park Hyatt this, Alila that) it is great. Have benefitted myself; I do like the Guest of Honor basically doubling the elite status within the home. But the footprint is severely limiting. 99% of (at least my) other travel, Hyatt is absent to a degree globalist would be helpful, or absent altogether. Next 3 trips: Downtown Charlotte (House and place), Pittsburgh (house and place), Myrtle Beach (Nada). Those are reasonably sized locations that are well represented by other brands. Additional note: this does not mean that the other programs are worth pursuing it it’s place, as they have their own warts.
So much of their limited profile is Hyatt Place or House for sure which makes it more difficult to use that hard earned status for sure.
After listening to the MTM podcast I came to this article’s comment section expecting to read some emotional nasty negative comments. All I’m seeing are thoughtful, interesting and respectful ones. I am terribly disappointed. Oh well…. I enjoyed the article anyway.
Haha – the article comments are great for sure. Most of the stuff you’re looking for was on Twitter / Facebook
[…] rarely seen the number of passionate replies as there was to the decision by someone not to try to keep World of Hyatt Globalist status after having it for a year. It’s not a popular hill to stand on but as someone who is proud not to have loyalty to any […]
If you love HP then I think you are making the correct decision. It doesn’t make sense to love HP and maintain Globalist
[…] Am Giving Hyatt Globalist the Boot After Just One Year: Check out this post on Miles to Memories. I feel the same; I won’t chase Globalist status because I wouldn’t be able to use the […]
Appreciate you breaking it down and your transparency, especially with the recent changes. Used to be a Marriott loyalist, shifting to Hyatt and now just not even sure. Doing what’s best for you and your travel preferences seems to be the right thing to do!
Doing what works for you is key for sure! I think Hyatt is a great status and Globalist is the best hotel status out there. If they fit with the way you travel and you stay at full service properties 15+ nights a year I think you’ll have a good experience overall.
“Just because a status is valuable, or the best out there, which both things are true here, it doesn’t mean that it will be a good fit for you. Here are the reasons Hyatt Globalist status isn’t worth it for me. — Mark Ostermann”
Great post except for repeating the demonstrably bogus claim about Globalist being “the best status out there”, a claim that this very post of your contradicts.
Unquestionably and quantifiably, the single most valuable perk in hotel loyalty is the 4th or 5th award night free that Hilton, IHG and Marriott give their members, but Hyatt does not. Despite that clear shortcoming, Globalist still qualifies as the “best” elite status to you? After effectively destroying other claimed advantages of the Globalist status, why would you keep singing the bogus tune about it being the “best” status out there? It is okay to challenge dogma, y’know, especially in the travel blogosphere echo chamber where standards of “excellence” are simply made up and then become dogma through sheer repetition.
@DCS The 4th (or 5th) night free may be beneficial to you but that doesn’t mean it applies to all.
I rarely stay at any property for 5 nights in a row. Even if I were in a location for such a period of time I would still probably change hotels even only for a change of scenery.
So while the free night may be beneficial to you, I still value Globalist over Hilton Diamond or Marriott Titanium.
No resort fees, free parking on award stays, and the ability to book into a suite straight away with points rather than having to play the waiting game for a Suite Night Award to clear with Marriott makes Globalist MUCH BETTER than the others…for MY situation.
I personally don’t care for free breakfast that comes with status (from any loyalty program) unless it’s from an on-site restaurant. If the only offering is from a hotel lounge I don’t bother because they’re nothing more than a round up of Sam’s Club/Costco pastries which I don’t care for.
But this only applies to my style of traveling.
As @Mark mentioned, you have to evaluate your own needs and proceed accordingly.
Just because you do not use a benefit does decrease its value. For example, it makes little sense to travel all the way to, say, Maldives and stay 3 or 4 nights, when you can get 4th or 5th award night free. Moreover, it does not sound to me like you are describing leisure travel when you say that you seldom stay for 5 nights in a row in any property or that you change hotels for a change pf ‘scenery’. For aspirational stays, for which one saves points, none of that would make sense. Then, there is, of course, Hyatt’s recent massive devaluation of their high-end awards, which having an award night free would have made less brutal.
You can say that you prefer the Hyatt Globalist status – among the most expense to attain – to Hilton’s or Marriott’s top elite levels, and that is fine because it is all YMMV. What is utterly silly is to claim that some program’s elite level is the “best” out there. I can, and I have, take each claimed advantage of Hyatt Globalist and show its deficiencies. For example, take so called ‘confirmed’ suite upgrades. While in principle they sound great, in practice they are no better than complimentary suite upgrades because (a) like all room upgrades, they depend on availability, which is at the sole discretion of properties, and (b) one has to call to request them through a process that many have described as frustrating (check recent articles at OMAAT on Hyatt to find one telling of the host’s frustration). Therefore, if ‘confirmed’ upgrades were guaranteed to to be there when needed, they would be a big plus, but they are not. They depend on availability, which properties cannot decide on weeks to months before a stay, when they still think that they can sell suites for cash.
[…] Giving Hyatt Globalist The Boot After Just One Year […]
[…] Giving Hyatt Globalist The Boot After Just One Year […]
I will say that 9 out of 10 times my Globalist status comes in handy at Hyatt House because, while not required, I am very often upgraded from a ‘studio’ (aka room w/mini fridge) to a 1bd (aka small apartment).
I (like you) actually am quite fine with HH and Hyatt Place and will pick these over a HR or GH (especially the Hyatt House) because I like having the kitchen, and the smaller properties are usually easier to get around (and out of).
Anyways, the point I am sharing is that while I (or you) have ‘no right’ to an upgrade, I think Hyatt corporate does an excellent job of instilling a sense of appreciation for Glob’s at the individual hotel level, and it shows in upgrades, even when it isn’t required. Of course, you can’t depend on it, but that’s been my experience.
I like the Glob status, even outside of illegal upgrades and when it really didn’t get me much more than a couple bottles of water because I definitely think that even in those cases, I get preferential handling when an issue arises and as long as I’m not some DYKWIA type, the subtle mention of the Globalist status solves problems.
It is nice when you get that extra space at Hyatt Place for sure. I have only been able to snag it once or twice but always a nice plus.
Loved the comment about how a staples GC run becomes a cat 1 night. That’s the way I think of it too.
Mark, I recommend heading to Chicago in the spring or fall to stay at the Chicago Athletic Association to get a little more value out of your globalist for this year. If you haven’t been there, it’s got a really great breakfast, including homemade jam and the most banging breakfast hashbrown I think I’ve ever had (need to eat in the lobby restaurant to get these things). I know you aren’t big on breakfast — neither am I, but I’ll eat that one. The location across the street from Millenium Park is pretty unbeatable, and you definitely get your money’s worth getting free parking in that location. It would be fine with or without kids, and I believe it’s still a cat 4.
CAC was on the short list for sure. That rooftop bar looks pretty special.
But then you can mattress run in Vegas or MS for the remaining 20s nights for a reasonable price? Especially considering all the milestone rewards.
I’m disappointed with recent devaluation and lack of award availability too. But decide to wait and see since I already have 30s nights in first two months of 2022.
I think that is where I was. The cost for the extra 20 nights in money and effort just wouldn’t be worth it for the payoff for my situation. For others it will be for sure. If you are at 30+ nights you should get there fairly easily this year.
I can use Globalist. Can you gift me your status?
Mark- why don’t you do a similar piece about the Hilton and their upgrade removals on various low end properties. You may come to the conclusion to dump them both or pick the best from the worst.
I don’t really put a ton of value into Hilton status because I Gold for $95 a year with the Surpass card which is a solid status but I would keep the card without it. So I guess I think anything I get from Hilton status is a bonus :). If I were earning it from stays then that would be a whole different conversation for sure. I don’t think Hilton or Marriott status is worth chasing through stays. Hyatt can be for a lot of people though.
I have to agree with you, @Mark. After a recent stay at a Grand Hyatt with broken room amenities, I’m wondering what the 60 stays that I’m investing in is getting me.
CoVID has marked an opportunity for hotel owners to start withholding promised amenities and services. I am considering the massive amount of money I’ll save by walking away from my Globalist status this year. And I only travel for leisure.
It has been interesting to see hotels still use covid as a reason to keep lounges etc. closed. I know it is more of a staffing issue but things have changed, maybe for good, for sure.
According to an industry report reference by VFTW (which I read), on average, hotels regained pre-COVID revenue / revenue per room rates in May 2021. Yet they continue to play the COVID card knowing that people will be understanding and endure. Don’t be a hamster expecting additional kibble in the tray.
As a HH Diamond and more recent HY Globalist, each have their value propositions. I actually prefer Hamptons to HP and HH properties, with newest properties being an outlier to that preference. I do appreciate suite upgrades that come with GLST status, whereas Diamonds max out on a “preferred” room and I continue to struggle with the new FB credit where i used up credit on 2 eggs and an avocado at a recent DT. Worst for me is award redemption where Honors points have been devalued more heavily IMO than Hyatt. A recent Los Angeles search resulted in several mid scale hotels at 40-60k per night! That said, not sure if GLBL status will continue to be achievable in the future should it require 60 nights minimum as I don’t see business travel returning to prepandemic levels for a few years/ever for us- and kind of ok with that.
Great points JD. I think the Hyatt program is a ton better overall, especially with Ultimate Rewards transfers. I don’t worry much about Hilton status since you can get it for $95 a year so anything I get is a plus at that point. I think Gold is solid and helps offset some costs but I don’t expect a ton on property from it. Hyatt does a nice job with that for sure. Before being a Globalist I was able to work my way into a suite for $50 a night on more than a few occasions which offered some nice value.
Nice article and I agree mostly with your comments. I also obtained Globalist last year and will work on achieving it for at least one more year. Just curious how you get by without a rental car typically? I’m similar in that I try to avoid it as much as possible, but unless going to a big city and just hanging out there and taking a taxi I find it hard to be without one a lot of times.
I do end up doing a lot of city travel which makes it easy. Still need to get one when I go to Alaska, or Hawaii etc. for sure.
At some point, Hyatt has to raise the free night to Cat 5. Capped free night certs are a relatively new item in general if you think about the hotel points/CC game since inception. I struggle to remember a capped free night from CC in any chain other than Marriott, and even then that I think was a Cat 4 back in 2009 (now a Cat 5/kinda.) There’s no way to ignore inflation of category increases while keeping the same benefit, especially when it comes to the partners who fund them, they want semi-aspirational properties for marketing, not the Altoona Hyatt Place.
I hopped on the train as it was and still is a springboard to possible matching in the COVID era. Hasn’t quite panned out, but there’s still a year left to go on our status.
Of all the Globalist benefits, the 4pm late checkout has been honored (not always needed) at every Hyatt I’ve stayed including Place/House. I usually ask in the AM of check out if the Globalist Late Checkout is available today and 100% of the time, I’m told it is.
I could see the Cat 4 free night staying where it is at but them bumping the Cat 7 that Globalists earn to potentially a Cat 8. That would cost them a lot less and reward the people that deserve it the most.
Totally, the Cat 7 to Cat 8 is another inflationary upgrade they’ll have to seriously consider. We’re really heading into uncharted territory for the chains, other than Marriott, all the previous free night certs were upcapped (I think?) now they’re all capped in the last 3-6 years (aside from Hilton) and categories/points are going up, up, up. What do the chains do with these marketing tools?
Thanks for admitting to loving Hyatt Place. In a year of being Globalist I feel like I’ve been wedging my family into full-service Hyatts to get Globalist benefits, when we’d probably be just as happy at an HP. Thanks for the reality check.
That is a great point Jimmy. Elite status can lead to a creep for sure. Booking more expensive properties to maximize it. Works the same with airlines. Paying more to fly your airline with status etc.
@Jimmy @Mark
That is so true! Through the years I wasted countless dollars upselling myself to higher end properties, renting sole from Hertz, and flying exclusively on airlines that I have with status. I did all this simply for the benefits that come along with status, or perhaps, for the notion that I’m getting “something” for “nothing”. All in all, I’ve come to the realization that its just not worth it (actually I just realized that now after reading your comments). Thanks Guys!
There are some hidden costs when it comes to status for sure that people don’t realize or want to overlook because they don’t really want to know 🙂
@Mark my thoughts exactly. I feel the same about folks going crazy over AA and their new loyalty points scheme.
AA is one of the most talked about (with hatred) airline or the big US carrier and folks used to vow to never fly them or avoid them at all cost. Now these same folks are coming up with elaborate schemes and creative ways to obtain top tier status with a company just 6 months ago they claimed they hated with every fiber of their being.
I don’t ever foresee a day where I’ll trade MR points and via Rakuten for AA Miles via their shopping portal.
Twitter is littered with angry tweets from AA elites that hate them, complain non stop but yet continue to fly them. Never understood it.
Agree. Hyatt has gone way downhill over the past few years. Requiring someone to stay 60 nights should be rewarded. All these demotions are very bad and don’t reward loyal behavior. Moreover, giving the status away like candy, was insulting to those staying 60 nights and now irregularly getting a suite. I’m out too.
I think a lot of 60 nighters felt the same way Hilton Diamond members did when the Aspire launched.
We made both Hilton diamond and Hyatt globalist this year thanks to the great 2021 programs. We got our $12.50 each credit at a Hilton, putting a small dent in our bill. Followed by 2 weeks at a Hyatt regency with no limit on our breakfasts which typically came close $100/day, especially with the lattes my wife was getting. Hyatt even included a 18% tip for servers . The only Hilton I consistently like are Hampton Inn , which has free breakfast anyhow. Hyatt has lots of value for me. A few I won’t be going back to because of the category increase, but not a big deal to me.
If you are maximizing the breakfast it is a great perk for sure. I love that the tip is included too.
You nailed the number one reason why I go for Globalist, Chicago and parking fees. I do a lot of business travel to Chicago and rent cars far more than I care to. For that reason alone, Globalist is worth it for my situation…at least for now.
I don’t really care about free breakfast as I try to find a local spot to eat on the mornings I actually want breakfast. Upgrades don’t matter to me as much as I’m usually traveling solo…but that Chicago parking is criminal.
Parking in Chicago should be considered strong arm robbery. The only thing missing is a robber with a ski mask.
Chicago can drain your wallet mighty quickly for sure. That is a great reason to keep it right there.
Parking in Boston is also crazy expensive!!
Ken
Use spot hero for parking in downtown Chicago.
When you travel to Chicago for business, you use points for your hotel stays?
@Greg I do when I’m staying in downtown Chicago. I’m a personal consultant for quite a few auto dealerships in the Chicago area and when I’m not billing a customer for my travel, I’m booking with points.
Still got another four years to go before the whole COVID thing is completely washed out. I doubt hotel stays will ever be what they were (amenities limited, no daily cleaning) ever again. And, in some parts of the world, the restrictions will be made permanent. Capacity control based on possible illness (any illness, not just COVID) will begin this year in crowded locales, restaurants and other eateries will continue to turn people away based on capacity for health reasons. Expect these to be codified into permanent regulations either this year or next too. Expect limited menus. Expect also to be told in otherwise quiet hotels that the suites are all taken. Not true of course but 1) they take too long to clean to the new regulated standard, and 2) hotels are short on help as it is. Upshot: no suite upgrade for Globalists at check-in ever again.
Finally, expect masks to continue at certain locations indefinitely. Oregon, for one, is already trying to figure out how to mandate indoor masks “indefinitely”, though they say that “indefinitely” doesn’t mean “forever”. They are counting on your lack of knowledge of history and know typically the point at which human will finally breaks (lots of research being applied about wearing resistance down). The permanency of masks on planes will also demotivate people. Yes, they are permanent too.
I can see a lot of the changes staying around for sure, like daily cleaning etc. Once a company figures out something that saves them money, and isn’t a huge deal to most, plus they got used to living without it….oh it is gone.
I’m 100% with you on two of your points: 1) I mostly stay at low category hotels (1-4) 2) Most of our stays are Hyatt Place and Hyatt House.
For us, playing the credit card game is more about the quantity of low cost nights we can book rather than making a few short stays at aspirational properties. That may change for us in the future, who knows?
I do think travel priorities and tastes change over time for sure and that is why people should reevaluate things at the beginning of each year.