Recently stayed 2 nights for a conference (March 2025). Room and stay were fine. Billing practices were shady. I had called Hyatt several weeks before the stay asking for the State of Illinois rate as I'm a state employee and will only be reimbursed up to this amount. They said no rooms were available at this rate (understandable given the large conference that was running). So, I booked at Hotels.com and pre-paid for 2 nights because the rate was lower than what was on the Hyatt website. After the stay, I looked at my credit card bill and saw that in addition to the charge from Hotels.com were charges by Hyatt for a 2-night deposit, the full room rate for 2 nights, and another 2-night deposit. Essentially, I got double charged for the room. I called Hyatt and was able to get the room rate refunded. The two deposits will get removed as these were holds. However, I'm disappointed that the rate they accidentally charged me was less than what I paid in advance. Clear cut evidence that Hyatt is engaged in price gouging (definition: an act or instance of charging customers too high a price for goods or services, especially when demand is high and supplies are limited). I also think they lied when they said that no rooms were available at the state rate. There were plenty of rooms available (e.g., single king bed) to book both on hotels.com and on the Hyatt website that would qualify for the state rate. The decision to not honor a state contracted rate does not sit well with me.