I like Hyatt because their properties shift more toward the high end, and that’s where I tend to find the best values for award redemptions. That does not mean, as in your case, that there aren’t also good values at other levels. I’ve almost always been able to redeem points for 1.5 cents or better, but sometimes that means I change my travel plans and visit a hotel with more award availability.

Upgrades using points are not as good as they used to be but should still be considered, especially when the hotel is otherwise inexpensive. For example, I’d redeem points to upgrade at the PH Siem Reap and pay cash for the rest, but I’d redeem points for a base room at the PH Paris.

I haven’t booked any of the SLH hotels yet. I’m not sure how good the redemptions are going to be. Some will be more expensive. Others will be in category 7 or even 6. Category 6 is usually my threshold. At some point, I just don’t think it’s worth paying that much for a hotel whether worth cash or points.

Regardless a few things caught my interest – what is the best price you’ve seen for hotel rewards point utilization. In other words – where does Hyatt rank among other hotel rewards points? I recently booked a night in Wichita for 5k points for a $130 room, which seems pretty good based on what you are saying.

I’m also very interested in the Small Luxury Hotel option – have you used this feature and how well do those points generally translate? Thanks!

Thanks for catching the typo. Globalist status is earned at 60 nights.