Upcoming World of Hyatt Award Category Chart Updates Spell Bad News for Members

World of Hyatt has long been a favorite hotel rewards program among points and miles enthusiasts because of its generous elite status perks (such as space-available room upgrades, complimentary breakfast every day for Globalist members and much more) as well as for its valuable points. In fact, by most estimations, Hyatt points are the most valuable major hotel rewards currency out there.

However, the value of World of Hyatt points could end up shifting as Hyatt has announced that it will be revising its award category chart effective March 26, 2024. Unfortunately, these changes don’t look good for World of Hyatt members. So, if you’re planning to redeem Hyatt points, you may want to do so before March 26.

This isn’t the first time that World of Hyatt has made changes to its award chart in recent history. In fact, just last year, 372 World of Hyatt properties changed categories with a slight majority of properties increasing in price vs. decreasing in price. So, the overall effect of last year’s changes were negative but not catastrophic by any means.

However, this year’s changes are a bit more worrisome than last year’s changes. On March 26, 183 World of Hyatt hotels and resorts will be changing categories—137 of them will be increasing in price (compared to the 46 that will be decreasing in price). To make matters worse, many of these hotels that will be negatively affected are hotels that have historically been favorites of points and miles enthusiasts.

Once again, there will be no changes to the eight World of Hyatt categories or the number of points required for each category.

So, let’s go over everything you need to know about these upcoming changes, including when they’ll take effect, when you might receive a points refund and which of our favorite properties are moving categories.

When Will Award Category Chart Changes Be Effective?

The changes to the World of Hyatt award category chart will become effective on March 26 at 8 a.m. Central Time.

Here are some other things that you may want to keep in mind about the March 26 changes:

• If you book a free night award before March 26, your reservation will be priced according to the current World of Hyatt award category chart.
• If you make a booking before March 26 and then modify that booking on or after March 26, that booking will be priced according to the new World of Hyatt award category chart.
• Of course, if you make a reservation on or after March 26, it will be priced according to the new World of Hyatt award category chart.
• If you have an existing free night award reservation for a night on or after March 26 and the property you’re staying at moves down a category, you will receive a refund for the difference in points.
  • For instance, the Waterfront Hotel in Oakland, California, will be moving from Category 4 to Category 3. Therefore, the standard rate for a night in a standard room at the Waterfront Hotel will be going down from 15,000 points to 12,000 points. So, if you have a current reservation for a night at the Waterfront Hotel on or after March 26, you’d receive a refund for 3,000 points (the difference between the current standard rate and the new standard rate).
• If you have an existing free night award reservation for a night on or after March 26 and the property you’re staying at moves down a category, you will not need to pay the difference between the current rate and the new rate.
  • For instance, the Hyatt Regency La Jolla will be moving from Category 3 to Category 4. Therefore, the standard rate for a night in a standard room at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla will be going up from 12,000 points to 15,000 points. So, if you have a current reservation for a night at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla on or after March 26, you would not be responsible for paying the 3,000-point difference between the current standard rate and the new standard rate.

So, if you plan on redeeming Hyatt points for a free night award, you may want to do so before March 26. If the hotel you book moves down a category, you’ll receive a refund for the difference. However, if the hotel you book moves up a category, you’ll still receive the more favorable rate.

World of Hyatt Free Night Award Redemption Rates

As previously mentioned, the free night award rates are not going to undergo any change on March 26. Award prices will vary by category, room type and seasonality, and the same category-based award charts will apply.

Here is the World of Hyatt award chart for standard rooms:

There are also similar award charts for other room types, including Club, Standard Suite and Premium Suite. These award charts also won’t be changing whatsoever on March 26.

For example, the Taoxichuan Hotel in Jingdezhen, China, will be changing from Category 2 to Category 3. So, for a standard room, the off-peak rate will be changing from 6,500 points to 9,000 points; the standard rate will be changing from 8,000 points to 12,000 points; and the peak rate will be changing from 9,500 points to 15,000 points.

World of Hyatt also publishes another set of award charts for all-inclusive resorts that divides these Hyatt-owned resorts into Categories A through F. These award charts also won’t be undergoing any changes on March 26. However, certain all-inclusive resorts will be shifting categories (primarily resorts in Spain and the Caribbean).

Which Hotels Will Be Affected?

In total, 183 Hyatt properties, including hotels and all-inclusive resorts, will be shifting categories. Of these affected properties, 137 will be moving up a category (meaning that their award rate will increase), and 46 will be moving down a category (meaning that their award rate will decrease).

These properties are located all around the world, including the United States, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific region, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe.

Five properties will be moving into Category 8 (the highest tier of World of Hyatt hotels), including:

• Alila Villa Uluwatu
• Hotel Du Palais Biarritz
• Hyatt Centric Park City
• The Everline Resort and Spa
• Vail Residences at Cascade Village

Three of the five hotels mentioned above are in major skiing locations in the United States, including Hyatt Centric Park City (located in Park City, Utah), Everline Resort and Spa (located near Lake Tahoe, California) and Vail Residences at Cascade Village (located in Vail, Colorado). So, if you were going to use your Hyatt points to book stays at any of these three ski resorts, you’ll want to do so before the price increases on March 26.

Overall, these changes are bad for World of Hyatt members and represent a devaluation of the program as a whole. With that being said, some hotels and resorts included in this year’s changes were particularly disappointing. Let’s look at a few hotels and resorts that used to be fan-favorites but will be moving up a category on March 26.

Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos (Mexico)

Mexico is the most popular international travel destination for U.S. citizens. And one of our favorite Hyatt properties in Mexico is Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, located in San Jose del Cabo. This five-star all-inclusive resort boasts eight bars and lounges, swim-up suites, free Wi-Fi, a state-of-the-art fitness center, an adults-only pool, beachfront dining and much more.

Previous to March 26, Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos was a Category D resort. However, this resort will be moving up to Category E, which means that award rates will be increasing and the amount of value you can get out of your Hyatt points when redeeming them for stays at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos will be decreasing.

For example, we found a one-night stay in a Standard Suite available at the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos during peak season for 53,000 Hyatt points.

If you were to book the same suite on the same night with cash, it would cost you at least $567.

If you were to book this stay with Hyatt points instead of cash while the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos is still in Category D (which will be changing on March 26), this redemption would give you a value of about 1.1 cents per point, which is decent.

However, once again, the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos will be moving from Category D to Category E, which means that the rate of this same Standard Suite will increase to 66,000 points. So, the value of this redemption would also change to about 0.9 cent per point, which isn’t good.

Alila Villas Uluwatu (Indonesia)

Alila Villas Uluwatu is one of the five Hyatt hotels that will be moving up to Category 8 (the highest tier of Hyatt hotels). This five-star hotel and luxury villa collection is located along a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean in Bali and features restaurants serving the finest local cuisine, a world-class spa and much more.

Alila Villas Uluwatu is a Category 7 hotel. However, after the changes are made, it will be moving up to Category 8, meaning that award rates will be increasing for stays as well. So, if you want to stay at this location, you should definitely try to make your booking before March 26.

As of now, a one-night stay in a standard room at the Alila Villas Uluwatu during standard season will cost you 30,000 points.

If you were to book the same room on the same night with cash, it would cost you at least $786.

If you were to book this stay with Hyatt points, this redemption would give you a value of about 2.6 cents per point, which is fantastic.

However, Alila Villas Uluwatu will be moving into Category 8 and redemption rates for stays at this location will be increasing, which means redemption values will be decreasing.

After March 26, this same one-night stay in a standard room on the same night would cost you 40,000 points. Therefore, this redemption would have a value of about 1.9 cents per point, which is still good but, obviously, not as good as it was when this location was classified as Category 7.

If you were planning to stay at Alila Villas Uluwatu in the future, you should definitely try to book your stay before the changes take effect.

Any Category 1 Hotel

One of the best and most practical ways to use Hyatt points is to book stays at Category 1 hotels. You can book a one-night stay in a standard room at a Category 1 hotel for as few as 3,500 points during off-peak season. These redemptions are super affordable and often provide solid value for your points.

Unfortunately, nine Category 1 hotels in the United States will be moving to Category 2, and 21 Category 1 hotels worldwide will be moving to Category 2, which means that award rates at these 21 Hyatt hotels will be increasing.

One such property that will be shifting from Category 1 to Category 2 is the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown in Oklahoma. A one-night stay at this location in a standard room is currently going for just 5,000 Hyatt points.

If you were to purchase the same room on the same night with cash, it would cost you at least $189.

Thus, the current value of this redemption would be nearly 3.8 cents per point, which is outstanding. As you can see, booking Category 1 hotels with Hyatt points can often provide even better value per point than redeeming them for stays at much more luxurious locations.

Unfortunately, after March 26, the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown will be moving up to Category 2. So, if you booked this exact same stay after March 26, this redemption would instead require 8,000 points.

Therefore, this redemption would give you a value of 2.3 cents per point, which is still pretty great. However, it offers considerably less value than you’d get for making this redemption while the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown is still part of Category 1.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Tulsa, you may want to book a stay at the Hyatt Regency Tulsa Downtown before March 26. The same goes for all of the 21 Hyatt hotels that will be changing from Category 1 to Category 2.

Best Ways to Earn Hyatt Points

Despite these upcoming devaluations, World of Hyatt will arguably remain the best hotel rewards program out there. So, if you’re interested in getting some free nights at Hyatt properties, you’ll want to become a member of the World of Hyatt program and start accumulating Hyatt points.

To get you started, here are a few of the best ways to rack up Hyatt points quickly:

• Earn 5X Hyatt points per dollar spent on eligible purchases when you stay at World of Hyatt properties. This includes your room rate, dining and spa experiences on the property.
• Sign up for The World of Hyatt Credit Card (issued by Chase). This card has an annual fee of $95 and earns 4X Hyatt points per dollar on eligible purchases at World of Hyatt properties, 2X Hyatt points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly from the airline, local transit and commuting, and fitness clubs and gym memberships, and 1X Hyatt point on all other purchases. The card also has a valuable welcome offer for new cardmembers.
• Transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. While we typically recommend transferring your Chase points to airline transfer partners instead (as they tend to offer more value), if you need to top off your World of Hyatt account to earn a specific redemption, transferring Chase points is an excellent way to do so.

There are several other ways to earn Hyatt points, including booking car rentals with Avis, booking experiences with FIND Experiences or Lindblad Expeditions, spending with American Airlines (for World of Hyatt elite status members only) and purchasing points. However, these methods typically won’t earn you many points and aren’t worth paying much attention to.

If you want to save up for your next World of Hyatt free night award, the best ways to boost your balance are by staying at Hyatt locations, signing up for a co-branded Hyatt credit card and transferring Chase points.

The Bottom Line

Each year seems to bring more and more devaluations in the world of hotel points, and the World of Hyatt program is no exception. Hyatt recently released a list of 183 hotels that will be changing categories (effective 8 a.m. Central Time on March 26), 137 of which will be moving up a category and 46 of which will be moving down a category.

Since award prices for each category will remain unchanged, this means that the majority of hotels affected by these changes will become more expensive when booked with Hyatt points. Therefore, these changes represent an overall devaluation of the World of Hyatt program.

To make matters worse, some of our favorite hotels in the World of Hyatt network will be moving up a category, including the Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, Alila Villas Uluwatu and 21 Category 1 properties across the globe.

Luckily, if you’re reading this article, you’re in luck. If you make a booking before the March 26 deadline and the hotel you’re booked at moves up a category, you will not be responsible for paying the difference between the lower rate that you originally paid and the new, higher rate.

So, if you’re planning to redeem some Hyatt points in the near future, you’ll want to check the list of affected hotels and make sure that your desired location isn’t on that list. If you find your preferred hotel on that list, then you’ll probably want to make your booking before the categories shift on March 26.