Hotel point redemptions - taxes payable? e.g., Hyatt

[starrynight000]

Hi,

Perhaps this is not the most appropriate forum to ask, but I thought you guys might be able to help me out.

I have finally decided to redeem my Hyatt Gold Passport points for a stay, in this case, quite possibly at the Park Hyatt Dubai. The regular booking page (i.e. if I were paying to book the room, rather than redeeming) in the Hyatt website states that 20% in taxes are payable on the room charge.

My question is, will I have to pay taxes equivalent to 20% of the rack rate for the room, or is the stay totally free?

Do all hotel programs have the same approach on the above?

Thanks!

[SQflyergirl]

Theoretically taxes are liable. However, that amount is 0, as the "base room" component is 0. I think, but yes, AFAIK, most hotel programs do.

[Kiwi]

I've used hotel stay program points for awards using about 4 programs in probably 20 countries around the world and yet to pay any taxes for an award stay.

[HUGE AL]

There are properties where you would have to pay taxes in the Hyatt program. Very few and far between as even they don't know where the list is (most of them obscure). The PHD is not one of them. Pay with points and you're all good.

[phaleesy]

Sorry for piggybacking onto this thread -

Would anyone know how many rooms are available for redemption at each Park Hyatt on a particular night?

Many thanks.

[HUGE AL]

Sorry for piggybacking onto this thread -

Would anyone know how many rooms are available for redemption at each Park Hyatt on a particular night?

Many thanks.

Apology accepted.

With the enhancements this year, they've gotten rid of the allocations. Points are now counted as revenue so the inventory is supposed to be pulled from the same bucket.

[fotimpmum]

Great info! Really informative. It is helpful for me.

[HUGE AL]

Welcome to SQTalk, fotimpmum.