Hotels

Category Archives for Hotels.

Wyndham Expected to Double Award Price of Best Properties

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2018

Oct 26 2018

Five years ago most Wyndham properties could be booked for a maximum of 16,000 points. They jacked up award prices to as much as 40,000 points (after pricing some properties as high as 45,000 and 50,000 points).

And then they introduced a new flat redemption rate of 15,000 points per night in 2015. This was hailed as a big decrease in pricing for their best properties, when really is was reverting to what pricing had been just two years earlier — and a big increase in prices for lower-end hotels.

Hyatt Leaks New Redemption Category 8 — Won’t Apply to Any Current Hotels

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2018

Oct 26 2018

Twelve years ago the most you could spend to stay at a Hyatt was 15,000 points. There was nothing higher than category 4. Yesterday the category drop down on Hyatt’s website began displaying a greyed-out category 8, 40,000 points per night.

How Hyatt’s New Premium Suite Awards and Upgrades Work

by Gary Leff on October 24, 2018

Oct 24 2018

Yesterday Hyatt confirmed that new premium suite award nights and upgrades become available November 1 at the same time they’re making changes to cash and points awards.

When yesterday’s announcement was made several questions were unanswered.

Triple Dip With Four Night Hyatt House Stays

by Gary Leff on October 23, 2018

Oct 23 2018

Hyatt is running a promotion that gives bonus points for progressively more stays through November 30. They are also giving American Airlines points for Hyatt Place and Hyatt House stays through January 31.

And for Hyatt House properties specifically stays of four or more consecutive nights between November 1 and December 31 earn 2000 bonus points.

Hyatt Confirms Changes to Cash and Points, New Premium Suite Upgrades, and More

by Gary Leff on October 23, 2018

Oct 23 2018

Last week I wrote that week that Hyatt was expected to make big changes to cash and points awards and introduce premium suite awards. Hyatt has now done so. There are more details to these changes — and more changes — than had been previously reported.

12% Rebate on Marriott Reservations, Book Quickly

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2018

Oct 22 2018

Historically the payout was less than 2%, so this is an amazing deal that probably won’t last. It’s worth it to make any Marriott (including Starwood) bookings through the site, and to make as many as you may need quickly. Indeed, making cancellable bookings that you may need can make good sense.

Since you’re sent from Ebates to Marriott’s own website you will of course earn elite credit and have elite status recognized, as well as earning Marriott points for your stay and availing yourself of their member rates.

Hotel Confirms Gutting of Hyatt Cash and Points Awards

by Gary Leff on October 22, 2018

Oct 22 2018

On Friday I wrote about a report that Hyatt would be gutting cash and points awards November 1 as well as introducing new premium suite redemption options.

The claim about cash and points was that instead of redeeming points and a fixed cash price, you would redeem points for half off a hotel’s paid rate. That report now has been verified by a hotel which has received information about the change.

Report: Hyatt Gutting Cash and Points Awards, Adding Premium Suite Redemption

by Gary Leff on October 19, 2018

Oct 19 2018

Members are going to have different views of these reported changes, which have not been confirmed by Hyatt.

My own view is that while I like the value cash and points offers now at the category 2-6 level, now that full points redemptions earn elite night credit cash and points is no longer as crucial a part of my arsenal.

Meanwhile premium suites is huge — the major constraint on my travel is time rather than points. Since I’m not working hard to stretch each point I’d rather use them for the best experience possible.

Earn Hyatt Points and American Miles at the Same Time on Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Stays

by Gary Leff on October 15, 2018

Oct 15 2018

Just as they did late February through June, Hyatt is offering its own double dip with American AAdvantage through January 31. And it stacks with the current bonus promotion that gives bonus points for progressively more stays through November 30.

As Marriott Workers Strike, Guests Stuck With the Full Bill But Less Service

by Gary Leff on October 12, 2018

Oct 12 2018

8,000 Marriott employees are on strike in 8 cities. That encompasses 23 hotels in Boston, Detroit, Oakland, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Hawaii out of about 6500 Marriott properties worldwide and includes housekeeping, bartenders and others represented by union UNITE Here.

Marriott’s position has been that hotels are open and they’re ready to welcome guests. Guest reports suggest otherwise. And Marriott won’t waive cancellation rules or notify guests in advance about the ways in which stays will be disrupted.