March 1 is the date that all Hyatt elites drop in status if they were not able to requalify for their current elite status. I would imagine that there were a fair number of Hyatt Globalists that dropped to Explorist (or lower) as a result of the new requirement of needing 60 nights to qualify.
My Last Stay as a Hyatt Globalist
Hyatt Globalist No More!
It is the first time in years that I do not hold top elite status with Hyatt. I really hated giving it up but I was not able to swing the extra 25 nights I would have needed for Globalist status by the end of December (even though status changes in March, the qualification period is a calendar year). It will remain to be seen how I am treated at my usual hotels as an Explorist member but I know I will miss having Hyatt Globalist status.
Big Push for Last Two Months of Being Globalist!
I had almost 20 nights at Hyatt properties in January and February so I will requalify for Explorist very easily this year. Depending on the latter part of the year, I may even be in a position for Globalist again! Our family stayed at Hyatt properties around the US and I received the usual perks and treatment that I have become used to as a Hyatt Globalist.
My Final Stay as a Hyatt Globalist
My final stay as a Hyatt Globalist was not at some high-end Hyatt property but I still got an awesome value for my points. It was actually a Hyatt Place. The point requirement was 5,000 points per night and rooms were selling for over $300 per night plus tax for a value of 6 cents per point – not bad at a Category 1 property!
Why This Hotel Was Important to Me
It wasn’t the hotel itself that helped to shine the value on being a Hyatt Globalist but how I was able to stay there. I had jumped back and forth about booking this particular hotel because I was actually staying with family in town (it was the Hyatt Place Phoenix/Mesa). But, I was running the Phoenix-Mesa Marathon on that Saturday and I really wanted to be near the bus area.
This marathon started at 6AM but you needed to board a bus between 3:00-4:45 AM for the trip to the starting line. Given the distance I was away and the anticipated traffic issues, staying at the Hyatt Place – which was a 200 foot walk to the buses – would give me the best situation for my pre-race night.
I know – it sounds kind of crazy to book a room that happens to be 20 miles closer to the race but here are some of the reasons I wanted it.
- It would let me sleep later in the morning
- I wouldn’t have to get stressed trying to deal with the traffic and parking (and the traffic was pretty heavy at 3:30 in the morning for the race!)
- I could have access to my own bathroom for last minute stops (which is a huge help for a pre-marathon routine!)
- I would have someplace accessible after to shower and change before heading out with the family.
All of these reasons made staying at this property a win-win.
How Hyatt Globalist Status Came to the Rescue
But, I waited too long to book! There was only a single room left and it was a high floor room. Since it was not a standard room, it was not bookable with points and the cost was over $300 for the night. I stopped in at the hotel before going to the expo and talked to the manager. I gave him my member information and asked if there was any way I would be able to book the room with points since I would be likely upgraded to that upper floor room anyway.
He had me call the Hyatt line and then he spoke with them to force sell the available room so I could book something with points. In less than 5 minutes, I had my room for that night booked – at a hotel that was essentially not bookable with points at that point. The manager told me they were happy to do that for a Globalist member.
Hyatt Globalist Status Overview
I will miss many of the aspects of being a Hyatt Globalist. The breakfasts have been great, the upgrades have been pretty consistent, the treatment has been exceptional, and the perks have saved us a lot of money. It is a status that I will miss and will hopefully be able to earn back again soon! I know there are still many things about the new World of Hyatt program that could use some fixing but I think there are many things about Hyatt Globalist status that they got right and I will miss it.
Anyone else drop from Hyatt Globalist status this year?
I dropped from Globalist this year as well. I’m going to miss it but I just can’t justify the 60 nights. I’ll be going for SPG platinum. I’m hoping I’ll be able to find my way back to Hyatt. Hopefully they’ll have interesting offers this year to help me find my way back.
Well Jerry, Marriott/SPG Platinum will be 75 night next year
I miss Globalist also, but I didn’t book stays to get Explorist for 2018 because Hyatt automatically drops your membership down one level. So, I am pretty sure you didn’t need to book those 20 stays in Jan/Feb. I hope they were all necessary stays rather than just for status.
Oh, yeah, i had more than enough night a last year to qualify for Explorist this year. The nights the last couple of months were necessary ones.
I dropped after only staying at 2 Hyatt properties. I don’t like the new program, so wasn’t a hard break. I guess they do soft landings, as I am now a Explorist. I have top status with SPG, so was hard to justify staying with Hyatt. They have some nice properties, but in the end I just can’t justify any stays with them unless SPG or Hilton are no where to be found.
Same with me. I love the hotels, but in order to get to Globalist I have to mattress run and also there isnt that many nice Hyatts in the US so many Hyatt Place need to be booked. Hilton Diamond and soon Marriott/SPG Platinum.
I am happy that the hotel came to the rescue. When asking the hotel whether it would allow you to book with points, you mention that you would likely be upgraded to the upper room anyway. Even as a Globalist, that preferred room benefit technically does not apply at a Hyatt Place, or am I mistaken?
You are right, that is according to the terms. However, my experience has always been to get an upper floor at Hyatt Place/Hyatt House properties. Also, with it being the last room available, unless a general member specifically booked an upper room, I would have had a good chance at being moved to that one anyway.
60 nights is a big commitment… but if you ca do it, Hyatt really does have the best top tier status. I love the suite upgrades and get them more often than not.