By HTN Staff - 8.5.2019
Not to be outdone by other major hotel brands that have recently upgraded their digital presence, including launching new guest-facing apps, Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced a significant redesign of its World of Hyatt mobile app. The new version include a number of new features designed help loyalty members customize their stays and provide a more seamless experience throughout their travel journey.
Last month, Radisson Hotel Group Radisson Hotel Group, known until last year as Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group, launched its new multi-brand and mobile-first global website, RadissonHotels.com. The website also serves as the unique platform for Radisson Rewards members. Complementing the revamped site is the Radisson Hotels App, which just became available this month.
Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel company, also recently upgraded its guest-facing app following the acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts. New capabilities enabled members of Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards and Starwood Preferred Guest to link their accounts, allowing them to have their status matched across all three programs, which was no easy feat from a technology and data integration perspective.
Like Marriott, Hyatt has had to integrate new properties and new loyalty and rewards programs into its centralized database as the company expands its portfolio. Last October, for example, Hyatt announced the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, an international lifestyle hotel management company with a collection of luxury hotels. With that acquisition, Hyatt assumed the management contracts for a majority of their roughly 85 hotels. Two Roads Hospitality includes Alila, Destination, Joie de Vivre, Thompson, tommie, and several other brands. The first integration launched in March, when Thompson joined World of Hyatt. In May, Joie De Vivre joined World of Hyatt.
The new World of Hyatt app reflects Hyatt’s expanded portfolio and integration of rewards programs. Available on both iOS and Android systems and exclusively for loyalty members, the new app is anchored in single swipe navigation, allowing members to easily view and access all app features and hotel services. Members are also able to manage all of their World of Hyatt account details, including available points, benefits and awards balances.
“As mobile bookings continue to increase, the new World of Hyatt app is designed to deliver ease of use and will lay the foundation for an increasingly personalized experience. We are adding to the number of ways in which we are listening to and caring for our members,” said Julia Vander Ploeg, senior vice president, global head of digital, Hyatt, in a company statement. “We view technology as a way to scale care for our members, and the mobile app relaunch is a step forward in our journey to provide more ways to engage with Hyatt across its digital channels.”
Building on key app functions – including the ability to search and book more than 900 hotels, view upcoming and past reservations, and track progress toward tier status and Milestone Rewards – the new World of Hyatt app features allow members to:
- Access and stream personal content directly to the in-room TV through Chromecast without the need to enter additional credentials
- Unlock guestrooms and public spaces via Hyatt Mobile Entry
- Quickly make requests directly to the hotel and receive feedback in real-time via a new chat option*
- Request items directly to guestrooms
- Access the schedule of meetings and events happening at the hotel during the member’s stay
“We heard from our members that they wanted more from the World of Hyatt app and today’s relaunch incorporates key functionality that aligns with member needs and preferences,” said Amy Weinberg, senior vice president, World of Hyatt in the same company statement. “For some members, maintaining their routine while traveling is dependent on knowing more about the hotels’ workout facilities or simply being able to watch their favorite shows via Chromecast. For others, they want to easily navigate the destination and the hotel that they are visiting, from dining to transportation to local activities, as well as quick ways to dialogue with the hotel directly. The relaunched app is another way we are adding value for and extending care to our members throughout their travel journeys by adding more relevancy before, during and after their stays, and making it easier to explore Hyatt’s growing brand portfolio.”
Hyatt has been experiencing solid growth. Last week, the company announced that it saw a significant uptick in RevPAR growth and has also began to experience the benefits of its Two Roads Hospitality acquisition. For the second quarter of 2019, net income attributable to Hyatt was $86 million, compared to $77 million in the second quarter of 2018. Adjusted net income attributable to Hyatt was $82 million in the second quarter of 2019, compared to $84 million in the second quarter of 2018.
