Hyatt's Brutal Award Changes, Shutdowns Galore, Best New Airport Lounge & White Lotus Holidome?

Feb 26, 2025

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Episode Description

This week Hyatt released their annual hotel category changes and they are about as brutal as we have seen in years. While no new categories are being introduced, many of the most popular properties are increasing in price including a ton to category 8. A lot of lower category hotels are moving up as well. Is there any good news?

 

In other news lounges were the talk this week with the Amex Centurion Charlotte having a horid health inspection and two new lounges opening in Philadelphia and Vegas. Is the new Chase Sapphire Philadelphia lounge the best in the country? We also discuss: Delta's recent crash and payment, Capital One Venture's increased offer, a new no lifetime Amex Business Gold offer, shutdowns from AA and Amex plus Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park.

 

Episode Guide

• 0:00 White Lotus Holidome?
• 1:02 Delta pays $30K/passenger for recent crash
• 2:33 Why you shouldn’t film an evacuation
• 3:07 Amex Centurion Charlotte’s terrible health inspection
• 5:09 Chase Sapphire Philadelphia opens - Best lounge in the US?
• 7:08 Capital One Lounge LAS opens - Does it measure up?
• 8:38 LAS lounges have come a long way!
• 9:27 Increased offer on Capital One Venture card
• 11:07 Amex Business Gold 125 “no lifetime language” offer
• 12:45 The week of shutdowns - Amex and AA give the axe
• 15:33 Amex shutdowns and avoiding FOMO
• 19:07 Hyatt’s brutal award category changes & strategy
• 22:13 Cool S - Canyon Overlook Trail in Zion National Park

Links

• Amex Centurion Charlotte - https://viewfromthewing.com/inspection-fail-amex-centurion-lounge-received-one-of-five-worst-health-scores-in-all-of-charlotte/
• Sapphire PHL - https://x.com/_zachgriff/status/1892247084805321104?s=46
• Capital One LAS - https://viewfromthewing.com/step-inside-capital-ones-new-las-vegas-airport-lounge-caviar-craft-cocktails-and-relaxing-views-worth-arriving-early-for/
• Amex 125K - https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/campaigns/small-business/charge-cards/business-gold/add-a-card/apply-today/?sourcecode=A0000HHVEK
• Canyon Overlook Trail - https://www.facebook.com/reel/882891453865670/?share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fr%2F15YJ8VsT5R&rdid=F6xiXldrYJOhIjpg

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