In today’s podcast episode, we’ll talk about who we would want to buy JetBlue, how Amex missed the mark with its new business card, and the key to preserving our loyalty if Hyatt “mile-stone-ifies” elite benefits.
The bright side of Hyatt’s (potential) Globalist shake-up
Watch here:
Or listen here (or click “Follow” on the player below to select your preferred podcast app instead):
Giant Mailbag
(02:16) – Adam: Why does the Aviator Silver card list as $199 annual fee on other sites across the internet, except for yours?
Learn more about the Aviator Silver card here
Card News
(04:33) – New: American Express Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card
Learn more about the American Express Graphite™ Business Cash Unlimited Card here
Awards, Points, and More
(09:03) – JetBlue is looking for a buyer that can clear regulatory approval: United, Alaska, or Southwest
(16:16) – Bilt authorized user updates, transfer partner updates
(22:31) – Bilt using Points Path
Learn more about Bilt changes here
(25:17) – Wyndham points sale: Buy Wyndham points for as low as 0.65 cents each thru May 1
(25:51) – MealMaxxer, a cool map tool for finding stacks with Resy, inKind, Bilt Dining, and more
Learn more about MealMaxxer here
Main Event: The bright side of Hyatt’s (potential) Globalist shake-up
(28:59) – Learn more about Hyatt may be shaking up Globalist status here
(33:40) – Greg’s glass-half-full take: Not as bad as many fear & several positives
(38:15) – Greg’s 1 huge key assumption
(40:37) – The potential negatives
(46:38) – The potential positives
(48:42) – Nick’s reaction
Question of the Week
56:56) – With more and more merchants adding additional fees for credit card processing, do you consider if it’s best to use a debit card?
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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder
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In response to the discussion about 3% fee at restaurant for paying with cc:
It sounded like you understood that your complaint about the fee is illogical, but you wanted to complain anyway. Personally, I like a world where smaller independent restaurants (and small businesses in general) can exist. It seems like the system where credit cards offer lots of benefits at the expense of business owners is driving us away from a world of small business and towards chains and big box stores (especially when many of those benefits are freebies at specific big box stores). As long as the fee is clearly posted, I’m happy to think for a second about whether my cc points outweigh the fee, and choose my payment method accordingly.
Of course, I only feel that way at local businesses. I think Chipotle might be the only big restaurant chain I patronize, but if they started implementing fees, that would be annoying.
Out of curiosity, would you feel better about it if your local pizza place raised their prices 3% across the board and then offered a 3% (or 2.91%) discount for paying with cash? I don’t see any reason to punish people supporting the business with cash just because I like my cc rewards.
Sorry, but none of the minor improvements to the massive devaluations Hyatt will be implementing soon and apparently the But Wait! There’s More to Come… are still considering (and to a point, I understand-it’s a business) are anything but putting lipstick on a pig.
This might be one of the dumbest show topics ever. I was literally angry listening to you to justify Hyatt charging for parking and resorts frees to top tier status members when both of those things are a joke. You want me to stay at your hotel. Option A you let me park my car there for free since I am paying for the room Option B I find somewhere else. This nonsense only happens in the US and you giving it airtime just makes it more legitimate when its just screwing the customer. I just got charged 5 dollars a day to park at a Hyatt place. If you don’t have a car nobody would stay there but they seem justified because everyone is charging for parking. If Hyatt makes these changes then Hyatt become Marriott with a worse foot print … I for one will be moving my 100 nights a year somewhere else.
If resort fees aren’t covered why should I be loyal in anyway? They are extremely expensive or ridiculously applied in areas where no benefits are seen.
I almost never use parking. I am usually traveling in cities for work.
I love early check in and late check out.
The Suite certicates have been nearly impossible to use. Most stays I want are blocked out even 12 months in advance.
Upgraded to suites can be regular or never happen. I arrive to a hotel and they offer me a basic room and then when I ask a Suite is available. Don’t make me plead for the benefits I earned.
I have used my Concierge in the past often to resolve billing issues, charged for resort fees or breakfast. I really wish the billing was more seamless. They also help combine reservations when I use free night stays or other issues.
I have been very loyal to Hyatt to the point of driving many of my friends crazy. If they change much more it will be very hard to stay loyal.
Good discussion. The problem Hyatt is directly running into is if they devalue to a point of neutral with Marriott and Hilton, they don’t just lose some loyalty, they lose a lot. They have an edge but for Marriott their global footprint wins. If the perks are neutral why stay with Hyatt?
Very interesting perspective on Hyatt changes…… really enjoyed listening.
Question: do you have ANY idea how many Lifetime Globalists there are? I realize that Hyatt does not release this information….but curious if you guys have an educated guess
Nick – I live near Sacramento, I recommend the Waterboy or Binchoyaki for higher end Resy restaurants. Waterboy is French/Italian and is beloved by all Sac residents. Binchoyaki is a great Japanese izakaya though the bill quickly adds up… I used my Amex resy credits at both restaurants within the past month.