Points Reckoning
Updated June 23rd, 2019
There’s no denying the math. As of June 2019, World of Hyatt points are the most valuable hotel award currency available. After establishing cash prices and award availability for both 30 and 90 days advanced booking, we assigned a value of 1.38¢ per point. This would make points from this award currency 39.5% more valuable than #2 Marriott Bonvoy.
Since last year, the value of World of Hyatt points has increased 23%, when we look at our non-discounted average. This specifically excludes reduction factors and findings of no-availability. Considering many loyalty programs have decreased in value over the last year, this result is just fantastic.
| Current | Previous Period | $ Change | % Change | |
| 30 Day Average | 1.39¢ | 0.94¢ | +0.45¢ | +47% |
| 90 Day Average | 1.38¢ | 0.85¢ | +0.53¢ | +62% |
| ACRV | 1.38¢ | 0.90¢ | +0.48¢ | +54% |
| 30 Day Non-Zero | 1.54¢ | 1.39¢ | +0.15¢ | +11% |
| 90 Day Non-Zero | 1.91¢ | 1.42¢ | +0.49¢ | +35% |
| Average Non-Zero | 1.73¢ | 1.41¢ | +0.32¢ | +23% |
| Award Availability | 90% | 85% | n/a | +5% |
Sadly, the spread between our non-zero average and our ACRV is primarily due to availability. As anyone remembers from school, a couple zeros(no-availability) will quickly wreck a value
The curve above represents a best-case scenario. At least compared to the narrower ones of some other hotel chains. Generally, a bell curve that looks more like a rolling hill is preferable to one that looks like a steep mountain. The former would provide a better opportunity for a high-value redemption. This month’s average was 1.54¢ and the standard deviation was 0.83¢. This means that, theoretically, 68% of award redemptions should fall between 0.70 and 2.37¢. Very good for a hotel loyalty program.
World of Hyatt Status Tiers
| wdt_ID | Perks | Member | Discoverist | Explorist | Globalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Complimentary Internet | ✓ | Premium | Premium | Premium |
| 2 | Free Breakfast at Participating Hotels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 | Resort Fees Waived | On Award nights | On Award nights | On Award nights | ✓ |
| 4 | Complimentary Bottle of Water | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 5 | Dedicated Check-in Area | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| 6 | Late Check-Out | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 4:00 PM | |
| 7 | Room Upgrades: If Available | Preferred | Best Room: Excluding Suites | Best Room: Up to Standard Suite | |
| 8 | Club Lounge Access | ✓ | |||
| 9 | Priority Access to Rooms: Early Check-In | ✓ | |||
| 10 | Complimentary Parking on Award Nights | ✓ | |||
| Perks | Member | Discoverist | Explorist | Globalist |
SLH Specific Perks
| wdt_ID | Perks | Member | Discoverist | Explorist | Globalist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continental Breakfast for Two | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 | Complimentary WiFi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 | Room Upgrade: If Available | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4 | Early Check-In: If Available | 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| 5 | Late Check-Out: If Available | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 2:00 PM |
| Perks | Member | Discoverist | Explorist | Globalist |
We’ve harped on this in the past, and it still bothers us. Hotel award space availability, or the lack thereof. We can’t understand for the life of us why a hotel chain, with cash availability, would turn their backs on their most loyal customers.
| Redemption Count | ||
| Exceptional | >6¢ | 0 |
| Great | 4-5.99¢ | 1 |
| Good | 3-3.99¢ | 0 |
| Respectable | 2-2.99¢ | 2 |
| Acceptable | 1-1.99¢ | 12 |
| Terrible | <1¢ | 3 |
| No Availability | 0¢ | 2 |
| Award Availability | 90% | |
The table above and chart below show a loyalty program in which one has at least an outside chance at a high-value redemption. Our best for the month came from a week-long stay at the Park Hyatt Milan. This was offered for $7,254.41 or 180,000 points, which translates into a great redemption value of 4.03¢/point! Though normally not recommended, we’d certainly give up a valuable Ultimate Reward for that.
World of Hyatt provides the best chance for a Chase card member holding Ultimate Rewards to score a decent redemption by transferring to a hotel partner. Though, truth be told, holding out for an ultra-high-value airline award seat is almost always preferable.
Compared to Industry Peers
For more information about how we value airline/hotel and other award currencies, please visit our valuation method and changelog pages.
