We don’t usually pay cash for New York City hotels — rates in Manhattan have been brutal lately — but for an upcoming trip, we needed a night where points weren’t an option. Since we’ve stayed in Long Island City before and found it to be a great value alternative to Manhattan, I started searching there first.
One property that stood out was the Hyatt Place Long Island City. It was on our radar during our last visit, but at the time we were booking with points and no standard rooms were available. This time, we were paying cash, so I compared all the options: TripAdvisor links, OTAs, Hyatt’s own website… and that’s when Hyatt Leverage came into play.
Our Hyatt Leverage Eligibility
Because we have the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, we qualify for the Hyatt Leverage program. If you’re unfamiliar, it’s a corporate-like discount benefit that certain businesses and cardholders can access — and sometimes the savings are legit.
Comparing the Rates
I pulled prices from three places:
- OTA listings via TripAdvisor
- Public flexible rates on Hyatt.com
- Hyatt Leverage discounted pricing
For our dates, Hyatt Leverage offered the lowest refundable rate. There were cheaper options — but they were prepaid and non-refundable, which we rarely choose unless we’re 100% locked into travel plans.
The Leverage rate was comparable to AAA rates, but still a few dollars cheaper. Hyatt says Leverage discounts typically range from 5% to 15% off standard rates, which lined up well with what we were seeing.
Booking With Hyatt Leverage Is Super Simple
After enrolling, you’re given a company code — just enter that on Hyatt.com when searching for a room, and any available Leverage rates appear automatically. No special process, no hoops to jump through.
At check-in, there was zero mention of a corporate stay. No ID request, no business card needed, nothing to confirm eligibility. It felt just like booking any other Hyatt rate.
A Small Upgrade Surprise
We originally booked a King room without a sofa bed, but ended up in a King room with a sofa bed instead. It wasn’t a game-changer since we didn’t need the extra bedding, but hey — more space is more space.
Was the upgrade because:
- We were on a Hyatt Leverage rate?
- We’re Discoverist members?
- It was a paid stay booked directly with Hyatt?
Honestly, it could be any of the above — all of those factors can influence room assignment. We’ve written a bit about how that works here: How Do Hotels Decide Which Room You Get?
So… Is Hyatt Leverage Worth Using?
If you’re already eligible, Hyatt Leverage is absolutely worth checking every time you make a cash booking. It’s quick, it’s refundable, it earns full points and elite credit, and the discount — even if subtle — is real. For us, it was the best flexible rate available for a three-night stay in NYC. Hard to argue with that.
Is It Worth Getting the Business Card Just for Leverage?
Probably not. The World of Hyatt Business Card has solid perks on its own — but if Hyatt Leverage is the only benefit you’d use, it’s tough to justify the annual fee solely for access to these discounts.
However, if you:
- Have a legitimate small business
- Book Hyatt stays frequently
- Value earning extra elite night credits for employee bookings
- Can take advantage of the card’s bonus categories
…then Hyatt Leverage can add a nice stack of ongoing savings to the value you’re already getting.
Final Thought
Hyatt Leverage isn’t some massive, game-changing discount engine — but it is a smart tool to keep in your back pocket. If you’re eligible, there’s no downside to checking the rate each time you book a cash stay. A few dollars saved here and there add up, especially in markets like New York, where hotel prices can get out of hand.
For us, Leverage did precisely what it promised: delivered the best refundable rate without affecting our benefits or the hotel’s willingness to upgrade us. That’s a win in my book.
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