Mr & Mrs Smith ptoperties now integtated into World of Hayatt - but some disappointments
On 24 April 2024, Hyatt officially launched the integration of Mr & Mrs Smith properties into the Hyatt loyalty program.
The launch was much anticipated, as these are very desirable properties now accessible via an equally desirable loyalty program.
Positives for existing members are that if booked directly through Hyatt channels, (but NOT if booked through Mr & Mrs Smith channels):
- More than 700 Mr & Mrs Smith hotels will be participating, a significant boost to the range available to World of Hyatt members
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Mr & Mrs Smith bookings will earn 1 Status Credit per night stayed and Hyatt points at the rate of 5 per USD1 spent
- Tier bonus rates are applied to the above base rates and are counted as bonus points (the same as for Hyatt properties).
Participating Properties
Not all Mr & Mrs Smith properties are participating in World of Hyatt. Those listed on "Hyatt Booking Channels" (ie. can be booked directly through Hyatt’s website, mobile app, or call centres) are participating ones. If a property does not appear there, then it is “non-participating”.At least this makes it clear, no searching for lists etc - if you see a property there, then you are good to go. If the property does not appear there, then Hyatt members do not earn or redeem Hyatt points, earn Tier Credits, nor are you entitled to any elite member tier benefits during your stay.
Attaching Your World of Hyatt Membership Number To the Booking
A Member cannot associate their World of Hyatt Program membership number with a reservation during their stay at a Participating Mr & Mrs Smith Property nor by contacting Mr & Mrs Smith or the property directly. To earn you points and tier credits, it must be attached to the booking and only when made through Hyatt Booking Channels.
Redeeming World of Hyatt Points For Bookings
"World of Hyatt points can be redeemed for a Free Night Award at any Participating Mr & Mrs Smith Property, subject to availability at the applicable property. The number of points necessary to secure a Free Night Award for a particular room type at a Participating Mr & Mrs Smith Property on a particular night will be as indicated on the Hyatt Booking Channels and will include all applicable taxes and fees (including resort fees, if applicable).
So Hyatt's current peak/off-peak pricing structure does not apply. A dynamic pricing model applies to Mr & Mr Smith bookings.
The following types of award are not redeemable at any Mr & Mrs Smith Property:
- Free Night Awards other than those secured through the redemption of points,
- Points + Cash Awards,
- any kind of Room Upgrade Award (whether secured by point redemption or otherwise),
- Guest of Honor Awards,
- Dining, Spa & More Awards, or
- Future Meeting Credits
Note also that certain requirements and restrictions (e.g., minimum length of stay requirements, minimum advance booking dates, etc.) and/or special cancellation, deposit, and other policies may apply at Participating Mr & Mrs Smith Properties..
So, if you do book a Mr & Mrs Smith property and subsequently need to cancel the booking, you need to take care that you follow the individual property's cancellation policy carefully, as "If a Member does not follow the proper cancellation policy for the applicable property or if a Member does not check in when scheduled, the points redeemed for the applicable Award Reservation will be forfeited by the Member."
Conclusions
I think it is a great asset having more than 700 Mr & Mrs Smith (very attractive) properties available to be booked by members through the World of Hyatt program.
The access does however come with restrictions, indicating that it is a quite “arm’s length” alliance, with features of both Hyatt and Mr & Mrs Smith programs quarantined from each other.
The dynamic pricing for these properties will be a big disappointment for Hyatt members, given that World of Hyatt is still using a peak/off-peak pricing method for Hyatt properties. Hopefully however, this will:
-
remove a criticism of the earlier alliance with SLH, where prices on the Hyatt website were consistently higher than those for the identical
property booking when made directly on SLH’s website.
- Not be a sign of things to come for the World of Hyatt program more generally.
The above is based on the exact T&C’s contained in World of Hyatt Terms & Conditions dated 24 April 2024 and Terms & Conditions for Participation in World of Hyatt by Mr & Mrs Smith Collection Properties also dated 24 April 2024.