World of Hyatt is raising the points price of 137 hotels — here’s what to book now
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With strong earning and redemption opportunities, top-notch properties around the world and amazing benefits for those with status, it’s easy to see why the World of Hyatt loyalty program is a fan favorite. And unlike other major hotel chains, Hyatt still offers an award chart where each property is tied to a specified category, making the program incredibly valuable.
Unfortunately, Hyatt just announced its yearly category adjustments for 2024, where select properties move up or down a category. With this shift, it’s not in our favor either.
Out of the 183 properties that are being shuffled, 137 properties are moving up a category (or two) and 46 properties are moving down. As the numbers show, many properties are about to get more expensive on points.
However, these changes don’t take effect until March 26, 2024, giving you almost a month to book at the lower rate. Here’s a look at which properties are impacted.
These World of Hyatt hotels will soon cost more points
The hardest hit are the Hyatt properties moving from Category 4 to Category 5. This is because one of the best benefits of the World of Hyatt Credit Card is the Category 1-4 annual free-night certificate. And as the name suggests, it’s capped at a Category 4 property.
Some notable properties moving from Category 4 to Category 5 include:
Similarly, properties moving from Category 7 to 8 will no longer be eligible for the Category 1-7 certificate that World of Hyatt members receive for their 60-night and 100-night Milestone Rewards. These include:
And while the following hotels don’t impact your certificate redemption, these popular hotels are about to get more expensive too (this is just a sampling, but you can check the entire list here):
Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina: Moving from Category 3 to Category 4.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Park Hyatt Washington, D.C.: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Hyatt Centric Faneuil Hall Boston: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
The Grayson Hotel (New York): Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Park Hyatt Istanbul, Macka Palas: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Park Hyatt Siem Reap: Moving from Category 5 to Category 6.
Andaz Costa Rica Peninsula Papagayo: Moving from Category 6 to Category 7.
Additionally, if you enjoy the Hyatt all-inclusive properties, most of the Ziva and Zilara resorts are about to experience a significant hike as well. These properties fall into a slightly different award chart, where all properties are tied to a Category A-F on Hyatt’s all-inclusive award chart.
With these changes, some of these properties are now twice the number of points they were only two years ago. Here are our picks to lock in quickly:
Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall: Moving from Category D to Category E.
Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall: Moving from Category D to Category E.
Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana: Moving from Category E to Category F.
Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana: Moving from Category E to Category F.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta: Moving from Category C to Category D.
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos: Moving from Category D to Category E.
Hyatt Ziva Cancun: Moving from Category E to Category F.
Secrets Tulum Resort and Beach Club: Moving from Category B to Category D.
These World of Hyatt hotels are going down in price
But with every yearly category change, there are some bright sides as well. Although the number of hotels going down in points price is significantly lower, you might find a desirable property that is now going to cost you less moving forward.
Here’s the full list of the changes, but some of our favorites include:
Hyatt Regency Cape Town: Moving from Category 2 to Category 1.
Hyatt Place Kyoto: Moving from Category 3 to Category 2.
Tommie Hollywood: Moving from Category 4 to Category 3.
Hyatt Centric Melbourne: Moving from Category 4 to Category 3.
Hyatt Regency Tokyo Bay: Moving from Category 4 to Category 3.
Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco: Moving from Category 5 to Category 4.
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe: Moving from Category 6 to Category 5.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas: Moving from Category 8 to Category 7.
And remember, for any properties moving down from Category 5 to Category 4, or from Category 8 to Category 7, you’ll now be able to use the Category 1-4 or Category 1-7 free-night certificates, respectively.
How to book a stay now for a property shifting categories
As mentioned previously, these new category changes will not take place until March 26, 2024. That means you have until March 25, 2024 to book a hotel at the current points rate — and if the hotel moves up a category, you’ll be locked in to today’s price (in points).
However, if you need to make a change to your reservation on or after March 26, 2024, your reservation will be rebooked at the higher price point. If you are not a hundred-percent sure about your exact dates, instead of booking one longer stay (i.e., for four nights), you may want to book four back-to-back one-night stays. In case you need to shorten your stay, you can cancel the days you no longer need and keep the other nights booked at the lower rate.
Now, if you book a reservation prior to the changes going into effect — for a property that is going down a category — Hyatt will automatically switch your reservation and reimburse you the appropriate number of points.
Bottom line
With close to 200 properties changing categories, you have a few weeks to figure out your game plan. And since Hyatt allows you to book many properties up to 13 months in advance, you can most likely lock in a reservation — at today’s rate — through mid-April 2025.
Looking for a new travel credit card? Check out CNN Underscored Money’s list of the best credit cards currently available.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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