As alerted by Zander in Suitesmile Chat last night, World of Hyatt has announced significant changes to its award chart and loyalty program.
New World of Hyatt award charts
Currently, World of Hyatt members can redeem points for free hotel nights across 3 award bands in each hotel category:
- Off-peak
- Standard
- Peak
Hyatt’s current award chart (till May 2026)
| Category | Off-Peak | Standard | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,500 |
| 2 | 6,500 | 8,000 | 9,500 |
| 3 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
| 5 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
| 6 | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
| 7 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| 8 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
From May 2026, the award chart will be further expanded to 5 award bands:
- Lowest
- Low
- Moderate
- Upper
- Top
It is still unclear at the moment, but Hyatt is expected to continue offering fixed award rates on each property’s award calendar based on anticipated demand; in other words, the award rate/band on each date will not change once they are announced.
This feature is great for savings on global events that are announced less than 12 months prior, like I’ve previously shared.
Related: Best ways to redeem Hyatt points
Here’s World of Hyatt’s upcoming award chart, showing the number of points required for standard rooms in each hotel category, in each award band. For easy reference, I’ve also included the rates for other room types (CR = Club Room, SS = Standard Suite, PS = Premium Suite).
| Hotel Cat. | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3k CR: 5k SS: 6k PS: 8k | 4.5k CR: 6.5k SS: 7.5k PS: 9.5k | 6k CR: 8k SS: 9k PS: 11k | 7.5k CR: 9.5k SS: 10.5k PS: 12.5k | 9k CR: 11k SS: 12k PS: 14k |
| 2 | 6k CR: 10k SS: 11k PS: 13k | 7.5k CR: 11.5k SS: 12.5k PS: 14.5k | 10k CR: 14k SS: 15k PS: 17k | 12k CR: 16k SS: 17k PS: 19k | 15k CR: 19k SS: 20k PS: 22k |
| 3 | 8k CR: 13k SS: 16k PS: 18k | 12k CR: 17k SS: 20k PS: 22k | 15k CR: 20k SS: 23k PS: 25k | 17.5k CR: 22.5k SS: 25.5k PS: 27.5k | 20k CR: 25k SS: 28k PS: 30k |
| 4 | 12k CR: 18k SS: 21k PS: 24k | 15k CR: 21k SS: 24k PS: 27k | 20k CR: 26k SS: 29k PS: 32k | 22.5k CR: 28.5k SS: 31.5k PS: 34.5k | 25k CR: 31k SS: 34k PS: 37k |
| 5 | 15k CR: 22k SS: 27k PS: 30k | 20k CR: 27k SS: 32k PS: 35k | 25k CR: 32k SS: 37k PS: 40k | 30k CR: 37k SS: 42k PS: 45k | 35k CR: 42k SS: 47k PS: 50k |
| 6 | 20k CR: 28k SS: 35k PS: 40k | 25k CR: 33k SS: 40k PS: 45k | 30k CR: 38k SS: 45k PS: 50k | 35k CR: 43k SS: 50k PS: 55k | 40k CR: 48k SS: 55k PS: 60k |
| 7 | 25k CR: 34k SS: 43k PS: 50k | 30k CR: 39k SS: 48k PS: 55k | 35k CR: 44k SS: 53k PS: 60k | 45k CR: 54k SS: 63k PS: 70k | 55k CR: 64k SS: 73k PS: 80k |
| 8 | 35k CR: 45k SS: 56k PS: 70k | 45k CR: 55k SS: 66k PS: 80k | 55k CR: 65k SS: 76k PS: 90k | 65k CR: 75k SS: 86k PS: 100k | 75k CR: 85k SS: 96k PS: 110k |
Is this a devaluation?
The absolute lowest bookable rates for categories 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 are going down slightly. This can be great news for flexible deal hunters and mattress runners out there.
At the other end of the spectrum (absolute highest award rates), we’re seeing pretty drastic increases, especially in category 8 hotels, which are going up from 45k to 75k (67% devaluation).
However, it all depends on the number of nights in each band that each property will have in a calendar year. While members could find month-long “off-peak” nights at some hotels at the moment, I’d be surprised if it would be possible with the “lowest” rate in the future.
This feels like World of Hyatt’s final attempt at keeping an award chart before turning to the dreaded dynamic pricing like every other hotel loyalty program (e.g. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, IHG One Rewrds).
The best “travel hack” is always flexibility. If you’re a traveller with fixed travel plans during peak periods, this will almost certainly be a devaluation.
Free night awards not affected
World of Hyatt members can receive Category 1-4 and 1-7 Free Night Awards (FNAs) through milestones and credit cards. These FNAs will not be devalued by the award chart change as they can be used for each qualifying category, even if the award rate for a particular date falls on a higher award band.
World of Hyatt hotel category changes
World of Hyatt will announce most of its hotel category changes in May 2026, with 7 confirmed so far.
With the upcoming award chart shared earlier, Hyatt claims this will “allow the program to manage peak demand more precisely by reducing the need for broad increases or major category shifts in the future”. We’ll see if it goes according to plan.
Here are the Hyatt properties going up or down in categories, with more to come.
| Property | Before May 2026 | After May 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| The Barnett, JdV by Hyatt | Category 5 | Category 4 |
| Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman | Category 6 | Category 8 |
| Hyatt Place San Antonio-NW | Category 1 | Category 2 |
| Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach | Category 4 | Category 5 |
| Grand Hyatt Incheon | Category 3 | Category 4 |
| Hyatt Centric Malta | Category 2 | Category 3 |
| Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay | Category 4 | Category 5 |
Elite members get early access to awards
Now, for some good news.
World of Hyatt also announced that elite members and co-branded cardholders can enjoy early access to award availability before it opens to everyone else.
This is a fantastic benefit that I wish more hotel loyalty programs offered.
Members who will benefit from this are:
- Explorists (30 nights/year)
- Globalists (60 nights/year)
- World of Hyatt credit cardholders
Digital points sharing
Later this year, World of Hyatt members will be able to share points with other members digitally before making an award redemption. Currently, it is only possible via a signed form.
The specific date is yet to be announced.
Hyatt hotel brands
World of Hyatt hotel brands include popular names like Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Place, Alila, Andaz and Park Hyatt.
