Changes Coming to the World of Hyatt Program
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There is one constant in the world of points & miles….CHANGE. The World of Hyatt is not immune to changes, and some big ones are headed our way this year. And they’re not pretty. 🫣
Before we get started panic booking aaaalllll the Hyatt stays, let’s chat about what you need to know!
So what’s changing?
First, it’s important to pay our respects to the sweet spot that is (was? 😰) Hyatt. World of Hyatt is the last remaining hotel chain that still has an award chart, and hasn’t fully embraced dynamic pricing. That means lower points prices, predictable pricing within 8 categories, and super-charged points value.
You could book top-tier luxury properties for 30,000 points per night without thinking twice. But that might not be the case very soon.
A closer look at that award chart…While we still will have 8 categories for their standard hotels, there will be a WIDE range of points prices within those categories.
Currently ➡️ 3 prices within categories:
Off-peak
Standard
Peak
Changes coming ➡️ 5 prices within categories:
Lowest
Low
Moderate
Upper
Top
Did you see that category F? Rates range from 35,000 to 75,000 points per night. 🫠 Hotels used to max out at 45,000 points per night, so we’re in for a big shake up and some serious changes to our hotel points strategies.
We can’t forget about the all-inclusive changes…
These points prices will still cover two adults in the room, and additional adults or children would be added with points or cash.
➡️ RELATED: Book a $0 All-Inclusive Luxury Vacation with Points!
Are hotels changing categories?
Every year, around March, Hyatt makes changes to a long list of hotels that will either move up or down a category (or two!). That used to be the the only upheaval we had to prepare for each year, but now it’s a double whammy with these pricing hikes.
🏨 7 hotels changed categories immediately when these updates were announced, and more hotels will change categories in May when these new pricing tiers are put into effect.
We should have a list in April of those hotels that will be impacted so you can plan ahead for any you want to book then!
How to prepare for these changes
After we’re all done crying a little and processing this news (😭), it’s time to plan ahead!
AKA: panic booking🔒What you CAN do is book some Hyatt stays now to lock in those lower rates before prices change in May. As long as you do not modify or cancel that reservation, you won’t have to pay anything additional if your hotel or resort changes in price.
Also, this is a great reminder as to why we are continually earning and burning points. The longer they sit, they’re not getting any more valuable. So don’t be afraid to book!
Some properties to consider booking before May:
Think especially of those luxury properties in categories 7 & 8 that will now have a very high points ceiling (because I’m not shelling out 75,000 points for one night 🙅🏻♀️🫠).
Park Hyatt: like those in New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, Maldives Hadahha, Vienna, St. Kitts, Beaver Creek
Andaz: Papagayo, Maui, 5th Avenue, Scottsdale
Alila: Ventana Big Sur, Napa Valley, Kothaifaru Maldives
Miraval: Tucson, Austin
Adults Only All-Inclusive: Secrets Impression Moxché, Secrets Impression Isla Mujeres, Secrets Baby Beach, Secrets Playa Blanca, Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana
Family Friendly All-Inclusive: Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana
Some good news…
There is a very small silver lining in all of this, and a few good pieces of news for Hyatt fans.
Free Night Certificates
Your Free Night Certificates will still exist, and can actually be more valuable in this case with these new pricing tiers. Consider your the annual Category 1-4 Free Night Award that comes with the The World of Hyatt Credit Card, it won’t be capped by a points value and will still be usable for any hotel in those categories!
*All information about the World of Hyatt Credit Card has been collected independently by Packed with Points. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Digital Points Sharing
You read that right, it’s finally coming! 🤩👏🏻 Gone will be the old archaic method of transferring Hyatt points with a signed form, and there will finally be an online points transfer system! This will make it even easier to share points with your player 2.
Early Access for Cardholders
Maybe good news, maybe bad? 📆 Previously, everyone had access to book award nights when the calendar was released 13 months in advance. Starting in May, cardholders will get one month early access to bookings, so we are assuming this means non-cardholders will now have to wait to book until the 12 month mark, but more details will be coming in May as to how this will actually work.
What does this mean for you?
Diversify!While I’ll still love Hyatt, I am so thankful that I have been diversifying my hotel points for years (lookin’ at you Hilton 👀), so I can jump in more to other hotel chains and keep my travel options open!
This is a great time to start exploring other hotel programs and find ones that offer perks and destinations that fit your travel goals. Consider Hilton, Marriott, or IHG for instance.
Keep EarningI’ll be racking up as many points for Hyatt stays as I can over the next couple of months, while also strategically opening more cobranded hotel cards for other hotel chains.
Hotel cards typically offer perks like status, free night rewards, and ever higher points earning potential at those chains. All things I’m looking for!
The bottom line is: DON’T PANIC.
We’ve had a lot of changes in the points & miles world over the past year, and while this one feels extra painful, there are still plenty of ways to pivot and make those travel goals a reality! ✈️🩵
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
