The biggest shortcoming with World of Hyatt is that it requires a lot of nights with very short portfolio. Hyatt has lot of aspirational properties and they cost precious dime to reach.
However, Hyatt has addressed this concern with them joining hand with SLH (Small Luxury Hotels). SLH is a consortium of independent boutique properties across the world. Lot of them charge a premium for their stays.
World of Hyatt members will earn points at SLH properties at the same rate they would at Hyatt properties, though only when they book through Hyatt channel. However, you only get points for Room stays. You wouldn’t get any points for spending at their property like you would get at native Hyatt stays.
Redeeming World of Hyatt points at SLH properties
Participating SLH properties will join Hyatt’s existing award chart, though there will be eight categories of hotels. Currently Hyatt has seven categories, so going forward the chart will look as follows (as of now only some SLH properties fall into Category 8, and not any Hyatt properties):
- Category 1: 5,000 points
- Category 2: 8,000 points
- Category 3: 12,000 points
- Category 4: 15,000 points
- Category 5: 20,000 points
- Category 6: 25,000 points
- Category 7: 30,000 points
- Category 8: 40,000 points
World of Hyatt member benefits at SLH properties
Participating SLH properties will provide the following on-property benefits for all World of Hyatt members who book through Hyatt channels:
- Complimentary wifi
- Daily complimentary continental breakfast
- Room Upgrade (one category at check-in, if available)
- Early check-in (noon, based upon availability at check-in)
- Late check-out (2:00PM, based upon availability at check-in)
Bottomline
It is interesting that Hyatt has potential portfolio of 500+ properties which would automatically double it’s current portfolio. Though most of Hyatt properties are located in business centers while most of SLH properties are vacation properties. Hence, you get chance to redeem your points at Luxury resorts across the globe. In fact, I would save my Hyatt points for those resorts rather than spend on Hyatt unless it makes sense like Andaz Amsterdam or Hyatt Amsterdam which can retail over 300 Euros.
