As Hyatt as continues to roll out great promotion after great promotion, the influx of those trying to achieve Globalist Benefits has been non stop judging by everything I see in our Facebook group and others. Chasing status is not for everyone as we wrote about recently. Many may never even use the benefits to the level that they invested into getting the status. For those of us that travel more frequently, we may need to wonder if we will get the value with all the cutbacks in service. My first globalist stays have been lackluster due to a combination of timing, hotel brands, and suites available. However, I had an interesting experience at one of my favorite Hyatt hotels which led me to think about some things benefits wise.
Globalist Status
It is important to know what globalist status actually gets you if you plan on trying to earn it. It is also important to know the details of benefits so you know what you can expect. The Hyatt site breaks down the full benefits well.
The upgrade benefit is one I want to take advantage of. For me, not only do I travel with my kids at times, but I want to experience a little luxury with larger rooms and suites. Rooms with better views and getting a nicer room is important to me if I am earning the status.
As you click through the various links, you can find the globalist benefits terms and conditions.
The important part of these benefits is that a globalist will receive the best room available at the time of check in including “standard suites” and rooms with club level access. Anything else beyond that is at the discretion of the property. One suggestion is to look closely at what you are booking, what is available, and what those upgrades are classified at. This will put your expectations into perspective.
My Stay
My favorite local Hyatt is the Hyatt Regency Lake Washington. You can read Derrick's recent review here. This hotel can often times be booked for around $125 and I use a Chase Offer if available with my Chase World of Hyatt Visa (review).
I knew these benefits mentioned above, but I was a little naïve in my thinking. It was a weekday, very low capacity, and every room possible was available. This hotel is popular for its stunning Lake Washington views. I had booked the basic king bed and just wanted a lake view.
Yes, I could have just booked what room I wanted. But again, my thought process was it is a weekday with almost no hotel capacity. I have stayed here and know what the weekdays look like especially in winter. Not expecting or needing a suite, although having stayed in a lakeview suite here I would be very happy with that as well.
Check In
I arrived for check in and was informed I was upgraded to an executive suite. No mention of lake view but I went with it. It seemed as if I had been upgraded right past the lake view room to a suite. The other odd thing was I was not given any information about current benefits really. I was handed a information sheet, but no mention of the globalist food credit, which I will address later.
My First Room
I went up to my room to see a very nice and spacious suite. My issue was that I had a stunning view of the other buildings in the area and could just barely see the lakeshore. The room was nice and spacious. However as I mentioned, the biggest reason to stay here is for the view.
Front Desk Experience & Negotiation
I went back down to the front desk, I was polite, and thanked her for the Globalist upgrade. I explained while I appreciated it, I would prefer just a lake view and anything they had with a view. It was made very clear I just wanted a regular lake view room and no suite was needed. I was promptly offered a lake view suite for the low price of $100 extra for the night. It was not specified which suite this was but keep these things in mind. The lake view suite is actually 50 sq. feet smaller, usually runs about $25-$75 more per night, and again, it was a weekday. I was being offered the room for $100.
I declined the offer and again, just asked for a lakeview room. I had checked what rooms were available and I knew that all rooms were available for this stay. For some reason, they did not want to put me in a regular room. She was typing frantically in her computer. A short time later a manager came out. I was thinking, “what did I do now”? I was being polite I thought, and I just wanted a regular room, with a view, that I could book online right now.
She explained to the manager that she was trying to upgrade me to a room with a view. She further explained that she was offering me the suite for $100. The manager looked at her with a crazy look. I tried not to laugh but even he looked perplexed. They did some more typing and then explained that due to low capacity and it being a weekday, I could have the lake view suite for only $10.
Final Results
In the end, I was not going to argue over $10. I still do not know why I they would not just give me a regular view room. Furthermore, why not just upgrade me as a globalist. Again, I understand it is up to each property beyond a “standard suite” but the hotel was practically empty. I took the room and was happy as always any time I get a lake view at this property. Finally, the hotel is on a lake and that is its most valuable thing. Having a standard suite with no view is annoying to me.
Breakfast
Next, the other benefit I look forward to especially in a higher end hotel is the breakfast. This also brings into question an issue I am now realizing with the stay I had this time and previously when I stayed there with my friend Derrick. The club lounge is closed which is fine and I understand. However, we both felt back in December that a $25 food credit at the hotel coffee shop seemed odd given the fact that the restaurant was open during our stay. I mean, using your credit for Sunday Brunch versus a heated up breakfast burrito for $12 and a $4 coffee does not seem right to me. That credit does not even cover two guests. Why not let you use it where you want in the hotel. This led me into checking out globalist breakfast perks in more detail.
I could be thinking all of his completely wrong, but if globalist gets club level and club level is closed, then you should be allowed the breakfast under the terms and conditions. It is my belief that it is a shortcut to save money. I am guessing this is not the only place it is occurring.
Hyatt should be ensuring their hotels are holding to the terms and conditions just like we are when it comes to rules. It would be different if everything but the coffee shop was closed, but that is not the case here. We had a full breakfast meal at the restaurant so how is that different than a club which would have a buffet set up or made to order items.
Final Thoughts
I am not one to get too bougie or demanding when it comes to upgrades and benefits at a hotel. However, with that in mind, not upgrading a top tier globalist to a view suite in an empty hotel seems odd. Furthermore, not giving your globalist even a regular view room (non suite) seems odd as well. Was it really worth charging me $10 for that room in the end? It was definitely crazy to think I would pay $100 for it in an empty hotel. Lastly, it is a good reminder that not all globalist upgrades are huge wins as some may think. My final thoughts when it comes to breakfast are to give the benefits in term and conditions. Do you have top tier status with a hotel program? What do you think? Come over to our Facebook group and let us know your thoughts.
