Good or Bad? Changes to Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee

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Via One Mile at a Time, Hyatt is changing its Best Rate Guarantee policy on July 31, 2017.

If you usually stay at more expensive Hyatt hotels, this news could be disappointing.  But folks who stay more frequently in less expensive spots could see the changes as an improvement!

Here are the details of how Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee is changing.

Changes to Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee Policy

Link:   Hyatt Best Rate Guarantee

Link:   Hyatt Best Rate Guarantee Claim Form

In the past, if you found a better rate than the one booked through Hyatt’s website, they’d match the rate and give you a further 20% discount for your entire stay.

But they’re changing their Best Rate Guarantee policy, and as of July 31, 2017, Hyatt will match the lower rate and give you a $50 Hyatt card that expires a year after it’s issued, instead.

Folks who stay at Hyatt hotels a lot and who book cheaper rooms might like the change, because $50 back on a rate that’s less than $250 is better than a 20% discount.

But for stays at more expensive locations, getting 20% off would be a better deal.  Plus, the discount was given on your actual stay, not in the form of a gift card you’ll need to redeem in the future.  And lots of folks would prefer saving money on their stay instead of a gift card!

That said, the process of filing a claim will stay the same.  Including submitting a claim form with an attached screenshot of the website showing the lower rate.

Other terms and conditions of Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee include:

• You must file your claim within 24 hours of booking
• Rate must be for the same room type, same number of guests, same dates, etc.
• Excludes rates booked as “travel packages” or through online auction sites
• Excludes Hyatt Residence Clubs and Hyatt Vacation Club locations
• Excludes discounted rates like those given to government employees, senior citizens, and AAA members

Bottom Line

As of July 31, 2017, Hyatt’s Best Rate Guarantee is changing.

Instead of matching the lower rate and giving you a further 20% discount on your stay, they’ll match the rate and you’ll get a $50 Hyatt card.  And the gift card will expire a year after it’s issued.

Depending on how often you stay at Hyatt hotels and whether you prefer pricier or less expensive rooms, these changes could be viewed as positive or negative.

What do you think?  Let me know in the comments!