Is Booking Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels with Hyatt Points Worth It? A Complete Guide

If you’re a fan of Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt (WoH), you’ve probably noticed some big changes over the past year. With partnerships like MGM Resorts and Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) coming to an end, Hyatt’s global footprint has taken a hit, leaving fewer options for members. But Hyatt is fighting back with a new partner: Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels, a luxury boutique hotel platform. So, how does this new partnership stack up? And should you use your hard-earned Hyatt points for these hotels? Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.

Hyatt’s Global Reach: What’s Changed?

First, some background. At the end of 2023, Hyatt ended its partnership with MGM Resorts. For members who enjoyed Las Vegas getaways, this was a blow. While the Rio Hotel joined Hyatt’s portfolio, it doesn’t compare to MGM’s extensive options. Then, in early 2024, Hyatt lost its long-standing partnership with SLH. This was an even bigger deal. SLH added hundreds of boutique hotels and luxury resorts to Hyatt’s network, giving members access to unique properties around the world. Losing SLH meant fewer options, especially for those who love staying in intimate, design-forward hotels. To fill this gap, Hyatt brought in Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels. The question is: Does this new partnership make up for what was lost?

• Further Reading: 3 Exciting Small Luxury Hotels Of The World (SLH) Properties You Would Love To Book With Hilton Honors Points

Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels: What You Need To Know

Mr & Mrs Smith is a collection of boutique hotels known for their stylish, intimate settings. Think luxurious getaways that feel unique rather than cookie-cutter. Here’s how the partnership with Hyatt works:

Booking Benefits

• If you book a Mr & Mrs Smith Hotel through Hyatt’s channels, your stay will count as an Elite Qualifying Night (EQN) for status.
• You’ll earn 5 base points per dollar spent, with bonus points for elite members.
• Globalist perks are limited. Unlike SLH, which included benefits like guaranteed breakfast and Wi-Fi, Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels only offer potential room upgrades – those aren’t guaranteed.

Using Points

• You can use Hyatt points to book Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels, but there’s a twist: instead of a fixed points chart, they use dynamic pricing. This means the number of points needed is tied to the room’s cash price, seasonality and demand.

What Is Dynamic Pricing?

Dynamic pricing means that the points required for a stay fluctuate based on the cost of the room. It’s a significant shift from Hyatt’s traditional system, where hotels were assigned categories with set redemption rates. Here are the examples:

L’oscar London

• Cash Price: £575 (approximately $750)
• Points Required: 51,500
• Value Per Point: ~ 1.46 cents

Sinner Paris

• Cash Price: €408 (approximately $455)
• Points Required: 34,750
• Value Per Point: ~ 1.31 cents

When you compare these redemption rates to the cost of purchasing Hyatt points (usually 1.8 ~ 2 cents per point during sales), it’s clear that using points for these hotels doesn’t always offer the best value. Buying points to book these stays would often cost more than paying cash outright.

Why Dynamic Pricing?

You might wonder why Hyatt is moving toward dynamic pricing. Here’s the reasoning:

• Hotels Get More Compensation: Under the old system, hotels received a flat rate for rooms booked with points, which could be much lower than the cash value of the room. With dynamic pricing, hotels earn more for points bookings, making them more likely to release availability.
• More Flexibility for Travelers: Dynamic pricing means you’re more likely to find rooms available for points, even during peak travel times. Plus, you’re not limited to standard rooms – you can redeem points for higher room categories.

For travelers, this means you’ll probably find it easier to use points for Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels, but you might not get as much value from each point.

Is Using Hyatt Points For Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels Worth It?

Let’s weigh the pros and cons:

The Pros

• More Availability: With dynamic pricing, you’ll likely find rooms available for points even during busy times.
• Flexible Room Types: You’re not limited to standard rooms. Points can be used for different room categories.
• Elite Nights Count: Staying at these hotels helps you maintain or earn higher elite status with Hyatt.

The Cons

• Lower Value Per Point: Redemptions usually yield 1.3 ~ 1.5 cents per point, which is lower than the cost to buy Hyatt points.
• Reduced Perks: Globalist status members lose benefits like guaranteed breakfast and late check-out, which were available at SLH properties.

Smarter Alternatives For Your Points

If you have a stash of Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) points, you might find better value booking Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels through the Chase Travel Portal. With a Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) card, your UR points are worth 1.5 cents each in the portal, often beating the value you’d get through Hyatt. Just be mindful that Chase Travel Portal bookings don’t count as Elite Qualifying Nights and don’t earn Hyatt points.

The Bigger Picture: What Does This Mean For You?

Hyatt’s integration of Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels feels like a step toward making its loyalty program more flexible. By adopting dynamic pricing, Hyatt is prioritizing availability over value, ensuring that members can use their points more easily, even if it’s not always the most cost-effective option. For frequent Hyatt guests, this shift might reflect where the program is heading overall. As the popular properties have become harder to book with points, and dynamic pricing could solve this issue by incentivizing hotels to release more rooms for points bookings. It is a positive sign to you as the guest, especially travel as a family.

Final Thoughts

So, is using Hyatt points for Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels a good idea? It depends on your goals. If you value availability and want more options for redeeming your points, this partnership adds flexibility. But if you’re focused on getting maximum value, the numbers suggest you might be better off using points elsewhere or exploring alternatives like the Chase Travel Portal.

Ultimately, the partnership with Mr & Mrs Smith is a promising addition for travelers seeking unique boutique stays, but it’s important to run the math before you book. Points should work for you, not the other way around!