World of Hyatt is making a big change to how many points you need to book a free night. Starting in May 2026, Hyatt will move away from its fixed award chart — where every hotel in a category costs the same number of points — and shift to a dynamic pricing model. That means the number of points needed for a free night will change based on things like the time of year, how full the hotel is, and how much the cash rate costs. Right now, you know exactly how many points a Category 1 or Category 8 hotel will cost. After May 2026, that predictability goes away.

The new system will set a floor and a ceiling for how many points a hotel can charge, but the price can move around a lot within that range because there will be five different pricing models in each tier. The tiers are lowest, low, moderate, upper, and top. Hyatt has said that some bookings could actually cost fewer points under the new model (those in the lowest tier) but the reality is that peak travel dates — which are the times most people actually want to travel — will likely cost more. Hotels that are popular and in high demand will almost certainly sit at or near the top of their pricing range most of the time. The old fixed chart made it easy to plan ahead and save up exactly the right number of points. That simplicity is going away.

Hotel loyalty program award chart showing points per night for standard rooms across categories 1 to 8

You can view the full award charts on Hyatt’s website.

Analysis of Award Chart Changes

Category 1
Before: 3,500–6,500
After: 3,000–9,000
Change: 14% decrease at the low end, up to 38% increase at the high end

Category 2
Before: 6,500–9,500
After: 6,000–15,000
Change: 8% decrease at the low end, up to 58% increase at the high end

Category 3
Before: 9,000–15,000
After: 8,000–20,000
Change: 11% decrease at the low end, up to 33% increase at the high end

Category 4
Before: 12,000–18,000
After: 12,000–25,000
Change: No change at the low end, up to 39% increase at the high end

Category 5
Before: 17,000–23,000
After: 15,000–35,000
Change: 12% decrease at the low end, up to 52% increase at the high end

Category 6
Before: 21,000–29,000
After: 20,000–40,000
Change: 5% decrease at the low end, up to 38% increase at the high end

Category 7
Before: 25,000–35,000
After: 25,000–55,000
Change: No change at the low end, up to 57% increase at the high end

Category 8
Before: 35,000–45,000
After: 35,000–75,000
Change: No change at the low end, up to 67% increase at the high end

Hyatt Free Night Certificates and Suite Upgrade Awards

One of the lone bright spots of this devaluation news is that Free Night Certificates and Suite Upgrades are unaffected and in some ways are even more valuable now. Even if a hotel on a given night is in the “Top” pricing bucket the awards will still be valid for use.

Annual Category Shifts

In addition, annual Category shifts will take effect in May 2026, with the exception of the seven properties below, whose Category shifts are effective immediately:

Moving to Category 2

  • Hyatt Place San Antonio Northwest Medical Center, from Category 1

Moving to Category 3

  • Hyatt Centric Malta, from Category 2

Moving to Category 4

  • The Barnett, part of JdV by Hyatt, from Category 5
  • Grand Hyatt Incheon, from Category 3

Moving to Category 5

  • Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, from Category 4
  • Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, from Category 4

Moving to Category 8

  • Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort and Spa, from Category 6

Our Take

This change is not good news for people who use points and miles to get the most out of their travel. Hyatt has long been one of the best hotel loyalty programs out there, largely because its fixed award chart made it easy to know what your points were worth. Dynamic pricing makes that much harder. Our view is that this move is designed to protect Hyatt’s bottom line, not to reward loyal members. When demand is high and you most want to use your points, that is exactly when the cost will be highest.

Our advice is to use your World of Hyatt points before May 2026 if you can. Book the trips you have been planning now, while the fixed chart is still in place. If you have a dream hotel stay in mind, lock it in. Points currencies are always at risk of losing value, and this change is a clear sign that Hyatt points will be worth less on average going forward. Keep earning Hyatt points if the program still fits your travel goals, but go in with open eyes — the golden era of predictable Hyatt award bookings is coming to an end.