Dear Goldie:
Hi, it’s me, 3rd year diamond in the Hyatt Gold Passport crown. And up until recently I felt like the Belle of the Ball. Sure, it took 25 individual stays a year to keep your attention, but oh- the rewards! Besides the delightful suite upgrades and the lovely club visits- I just felt the love. Goldie, you weren’t just a loyalty program to me, you became much more. So much more that I made decisions against my own financial best interest just to keep your affection.
And that’s where the problem started. When I started forgetting you were a company with needs of your own. I blame myself. However, recent events have jolted me back to reality:
- The Diamond Status I worked so hard to obtain was given away willy-nilly on Twitter. At first I was concerned, but then Hilton offered me a new Diamond so I guess what comes around goes around. At least Hilton’s status match system seems to have some rhyme or reason.
- Your growth is coming in Hyatt Place and Hyatt House: properties where status matters exactly squat. That’s actually a good thing in my book, but it does change the relationship.
- This weekend was my 4th stay at the Chesapeake Hyatt, my family’s Kellerman’s, and it left much to be desired. Prescription drugs on my room’s carpet and beer bottles strung around the common areas at 10AM (among many other things) marred the stay. While your social media team was their usual responsive selves in the moment, it’s now been 4 days and I’ve yet to hear from you. The last time I asked for your help you were there in less than a day. Updated: I did hear from Hyatt a week after the stay with an apology and reimbursement.
It’s not just you that’s changed- I’ve changed too. In 2015 I’ve spent over a month with you already, with 10 more days planned. 4 of those days are purely to make sure you bestow diamond on me next year. I’m really beginning to wonder if I’m wasting my time (and money). I’ll go through with my plans this year because we’re so close it seems silly not to.
2016? I have one night booked so far.
You might ask, “where are you going to go? SPG’s a goner, Marriott stinks, and the diamond Hilton gave you is zirconia compared to me”. And you’d be right. But here’s the thing: I can live without your diamond. I’d rather not, but I can. For the first time in three years I find myself going to Kayak before going to Hyatt.com. Just to see what’s out there.
Because you never know.
Best, Dia
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Tell, us what you really think and this time, don’t leave out any of the petty whining…..
Hi Horace,
It’s satire. If I’d wanted to whine I would have done so more directly.
No, it’s whining.
Hi David,
Thanks for reading.
I like that you are being thoughtful about the direction of your money and time. I’ve been a fan of “be your own elite”
Thanks, Amy, and I’m glad you got the point of the post.
I don’t think I’m the only one who has put too much stake in status for status’ sake. BYOE is the wave of the future.
I excel in earning…and in whining
Lol.
Thanks for the shout out! I’m seriously pondering a BYOE session at the next FT4RL.
I think the “whining” comments being aimed at you are totally uncalled for. I’m not at the Hyatt Diamond level, just a Platinum, but if I were I would be pissed as a bad stay (seriously? prescription drugs on the floor of your room… yikes!). I’ve never pursued elite level of anything that didn’t already come with my credit card, so I go with whomever gives me the best price. Lighten up, TravelBlogger Buzz and especially Horace, who sounds like he’s got a big stick up his … somewhere…
LOL…comes with the territory.
Is this a thing? BYOE? What is this exactly? How do you bring your own elite?
“Be your own elite” basically means pay for the items you need, at the time you need them, at the absolute best price, ignoring loyalty programs entirely.
Oh ok thanks. That’s what I do now with the exception of promo stays. I get the allure of hotel status for sure but I’ve found that for one reason or another I sometimes get upgraded without any status. Considering those with status get upgraded “when available” it may end up being about the same. I don’t know for sure of course, just a hunch.
“At least Hilton’s status match system seems to have some rhyme or reason.”
Not from my experience. Hyatt Diamond matched to my – already held status – of Hilton Gold. That doesn’t seem to be a match to me.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for sharing, and sorry to hear…both for you and for the process.
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Good call, but “the absolute best price” for me is still zero… unless I have to splurge.
I have similar thoughts. Personally I really like Kimpton hotels but often end up a less
charming Hyatt just to get my nights for Hyatt
Its getting hard to justify, esp. With other deal sites.