We’re all too accustomed to hotels and airlines making negative changes, but Hyatt genuinely broke our hearts this week. So Gunnar and Kyle devote the show to diving into some massive changes on tap for what is (or perhaps was?) the most popular and valuable hotel points program.
We’re talking nasty award rate increases, confusing pricing systems, a few silver linings, and what you should do before the hammer falls. Plus, Gunnar reviews his experience on the new (& improved?) Southwest Airlines, plus they help a listener navigate the dreaded Chase 5/24 credit card rule.
Tune in now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! And be sure to subscribe now to get each new episode every Thursday morning.
Have a question you want answered on-air or an idea for the show? Let us know at [email protected]. Or help us kick off the next episode of the pod: Leave your “Welcome Back to the Thrifty Traveler Podcast” video message at thriftytraveler.com/voicemail today!
Please consider supporting the show by spreading the word and leaving us a rating and a review wherever you get your podcasts! That helps other travel lovers, like yourself, find our podcast.
Show Notes
- 00:00 – Gunnar’s review of the “new” Southwest
- 03:20 – Welcome back … from the Park Hyatt Tokyo!
- 04:30 – The “Goat Rodeo” with TSA PreCheck and Global Entry
- 10:30 – Puerto Vallarta chaos & what to do about your upcoming Mexico trip
- 15:25 – A word from our sponsor: Sign up for The Extra Mile Newsletter today!
- 16:14 – World of Hyatt’s positively nasty new award chart changes
- 35:00 – Listener Question: How far above “5/24” should you go?
- 40:20 – On the Spot: How 2 hockey fans celebrated a golden weekend
Produced and edited by Sylvia Thomas
Video editing by Kyle Thomas
Show music: “All That” by Benjamin Tissot
Hey! Don’t knock the Hyatt Place Northwest/Medical Center. It is the closest and most convenient Hyatt for visiting Six Flags Fiesta Texas! 😉
*As a Globalist*…
But really, as a Globalist who travels with two kids and basically only ever uses points (other than Platinum credits for THC) I do think there are aspects that can’t really be replicated elsewhere unless you’re independently wealthy. As Gunnar pointed out the footprint is a challenge and may prevent me from requalifying this year, but there’s just so much that being a Globalist allows me to do that wouldn’t be possible without it unless I drained all of my Amex MRs at 1c each to book via FHR/THC. The combination of milestone rewards and straight Globalist benefits is second to none for a family – I can use 25k points per night (or less) and a suite upgrade award to put our whole family into a great room at a nice hotel with free breakfast and parking. And sometimes I can throw a Guest of Honor award at my extended family so that the cousins can come too! We just wouldn’t be able to travel as much or as well as we do – and with the people we love – with the other disloyal hotel options you mentioned*.
*The Edit with a Points Boost might be the next best thing for our needs but I’ve lost count of my rejections from the CSR personal card.