From a Hyatt GP PL agent,
"Good Day!
I hope this email finds you well. I just wanted to take a minute of your time and give you a heads up on a change that is happening at Gold Passport effective 8/4/11. We have 43 properties that will be changing their status as far as hotel category for points. 25 of them will be going up in points, while 18 of them will be going down. Several factors are taken in to play when these decisions are made such as regular room rates and demand. Just because the points are going down on some of them does not mean they are a lesser hotel.
So this is how it works...
If you currently have a reservation at a hotel that is going up in points, it will not change how you have booked it, even if your stay is after 8/4.
If you currently have a reservation at a hotel that is going down, and your stay is after 8/4, GP will be refunding you the difference in points.
If you need to change your dates, you will get the better option of the two, however anything changed after 9/3 (30 days later) will have to adhere to the new point chart.
Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
~And before you ask...they have not released the hotels to me yet. So after 8/4, if you have a point stay shoot me a email and I will check on it for you.
***If you are thinking about making a points stay for anytime after 8/4, I would recomend that you book it with me now, just in case it is a hotel that is going up. If it's not, it won't make a difference, and if it is one that is going down, you will still get the credit back. That will be the best way to protect yourself now. "
From the head of the Hyatt GP program, Jeff Zidell,
"It appears as though one of our Customer Service Representatives released information prematurely. Our intent is to always post information here and in other similar forums as soon as possible, so our most engaged customers get information in the timeliest manner.
In this case, the proper procedures were not followed. While this is unfortunate, our goal is to always be completely transparent.
There are indeed some changes to Hyatt Gold Passport, which were originally planned to be announced this week and next. This includes several new benefits and changes to the award chart.
We will post all of this information as soon as humanly possible.
We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your feedback.
Warm regards,
Jeff"
