When news broke that The Venetian and Palazzo resorts would be joining the World of Hyatt program, the travel community buzzed with excitement. These properties on the Las Vegas Strip seemed like the perfect addition to the Hyatt portfolio. The prospect of being able to earn and redeem points at these high-profile resorts had bloggers eager to explore how the new partnership would work.
The deal was particularly appreciated in light of the end of Hyatt’s partnership with MGM. Since then, the only Las Vegas resort bookable with Hyatt points was the Rio, which didn’t offer the same appeal. So, adding The Venetian and Palazzo was seen as a significant upgrade, providing a better range of luxury options right on the Strip. Since the announcement, we’ve all been anxiously awaiting the details of the partnership and for it to finally go live.
That day has come—and the excitement has quickly turned into disappointment, particularly for Hyatt Globalist members. Known for its exceptional member service, especially for those holding top-tier Globalist status, the details of the Venetian deal are anything but what was hoped for.
Initial Excitement Fizzles Out
Bloggers quickly praised the collaboration between Hyatt and The Venetian and Palazzo, highlighting the allure of earning Hyatt points and receiving Globalist perks at these luxurious properties. After all, the properties are renowned for their grand, suite-style accommodations.
However, once the partnership went live, the reality didn’t quite match the hype. As people dug into the details and bookings with points became available, almost everyone agreed there wasn’t much to like.
As reported on One Mile at a Time, Frequent Miler, Thrifty Traveler, MilesTalk, and View from the Wing, the deal is lacking in several key areas, most notably the exclusion of most Globalist perks and the disappointing value for redeeming World of Hyatt points for stays.
Globalists Left Feeling Overlooked
For Globalists, the excitement has turned into frustration. Many expected to enjoy the full spectrum of Hyatt’s loyalty perks, but perks such as free breakfast, waived parking fees and even complimentary bottled water are excluded. In addition, as noted by Thrifty Traveler, even the benefits provided are watered-down versions of what Hyatt offers at other properties:
However, benefits like early check-in, late checkout, and complimentary upgrades will be honored. But those are all limited to availability, making it easy for The Venetian and Palazzo hotels to get out of offering any real benefits.
The Mr. & Mrs. Smith Treatment for Point Redemption
One of the more frustrating elements of the integration, as pointed out in Frequent Miler’s article, is the way these resorts were added to the Hyatt program. The partnership has been compared to the “Mr. & Mrs. Smith treatment,” a reference to the boutique hotel group recently added to World of Hyatt, which similarly doesn’t offer the full range of expected benefits.
Hyatt doesn’t include The Venetian or Palazzo in any award chart, opting instead for a dynamic pricing model. With this model, the number of points needed for a reservation is linked to the cash price of the room on a given night. Based on a quick search and what others have found, it appears that most redemptions will net around 1 cent per point in value, which is a poor return by World of Hyatt standards.
One Mile at a Time summed up the partnership like this:
The execution here certainly leaves a bit to be desired. Redemption rates at these properties are awful, and I’m finding that World of Hyatt points consistently get you less than a cent of value per point toward a stay.
Restrictions on Booking
One positive aspect of the partnership is that World of Hyatt members will earn stay credits for eligible stays at The Venetian and Palazzo. However, to count as an eligible stay, the booking must be made through Hyatt’s official channels—either its website or app. The downside? The rates available through Hyatt channels are typically higher than those found on The Venetian or Palazzo websites or even through third-party booking platforms.
For example, The Palazzo is bookable through AMEX Fine Hotels and Resorts, where you can enjoy added perks such as:
- 12 p.m. check-in, when available
- Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
- Daily breakfast for two
- $100 USD food and beverage credit to be used during the stay
- Complimentary Wi-Fi
- Guaranteed 4 p.m. check-out
In comparison, booking directly with Hyatt often means paying a premium for the same or fewer benefits. For many travelers, these additional perks through third-party programs make booking through Hyatt’s channels less appealing despite the ability to earn stay credits.
Looking Ahead: Will Hyatt Reconsider?
The disappointment surrounding The Venetian and Palazzo could serve as a wake-up call for Hyatt to re-evaluate how it integrates luxury properties into its loyalty program. With the end of the MGM partnership, many hoped these high-profile resorts would provide a high-end resort experience with valuable perks for loyal members. Instead, the reality has been underwhelming.
For now, travelers may want to think twice before booking these properties. Until Hyatt addresses the concerns raised by members, particularly around point redemptions and elite status recognition, The Venetian and Palazzo may not live up to their full potential as part of the World of Hyatt program.
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