Quantcast

Hyatt Points Retain Value Despite Upcoming Category Changes

Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
General Dynamics says G800 jet receives FAA, EASA certifications
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
Qatar Airways Nears Boeing 777 Fleet-Wide Starlink Upgrade
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
50 New Routes Launching In April 2025
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Hyatt Points Retain Value Despite Upcoming Category Changes
Research
Webp 2brmc733gq3wzxudgavjdrbpjdqv
Kristy Tolley Editor | The Points Guy

World of Hyatt points still hold significant value, even with the upcoming category changes. Each February or March, World of Hyatt announces its annual category changes about a month before implementing them. Loyalists, including TPG writer Katie Genter, carefully examine the list to see if properties they love or hope to visit will soon require more or fewer points for a stay.

Each year, some travelers lament the decline of the World of Hyatt program after the category change announcement. However, as TPG director Carly Helfand said while discussing this year's changes, "Every year I notice at least one that I've enjoyed staying at that's getting cheaper, which also makes it a little more bearable. This time it's the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa — it's a really good option in wine country. "

Like Carly, Genter also looks through the list to find appealing properties that will drop a category. Despite points costs having increased significantly over the years for some properties, she believes there's still plenty of value in redeeming Hyatt points.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

One reason is that Hyatt still has an award chart. Many loyalty programs have moved to dynamic award pricing, which often leads to points or miles decreasing in value and makes getting outsize value from rewards more difficult. The excellent news is that Hyatt didn't decide to remove or change its award chart this year.

Since World of Hyatt uses an award chart, travelers can predict how much they'll need to redeem for upcoming stays and often escape peak pricing during events or high season. World of Hyatt uses peak, standard and off-peak pricing for each category but Genter has booked far more off-peak award nights than peak ones.

The difference between off-peak and peak award rates is minimal: just 3,000 points for Hyatt Category 1 properties, 6,000 points for Category 4 properties and 10,000 points for Category 7 properties. Even considering that Hyatt point s are worth much more than most other hotel points , this is a less significant difference than found in most other hotel loyalty programs.

However, Genter expects we'll continue seeing select brands and properties b ring in dynamic award rates as seen with Mr & Mrs Smith and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas . If this helps maintain an awar d chart f or most propert ies , she won't fret over it . If she chooses t o stay at these propert ies , she'll opt t o earn Hyat t point s instead o f redeeming them .

It's reasonable f or World o f Hyat t t o update th e awar d categor y f or some propert ies once a year . Sure , i t 's been sad seeing som e propert ies slowl y clim b i n categor y each year . And Gent er i s personall y bumme d seein g Par k Hyat t Chenna i mov e up t o Categor y2 fro m Categor y1 - th e onl y suc h instance globally . Bu t as occupanc y rate s an d othe r factor s shif t fo r a propert y i t 's onl y fair fo r it s categor y t o shif t too .

Genter appreciates how Hyat t handle s it s annua l categor y change s especiall y whe n man y othe r loyalt y program s mak e no-notic e devaluation s . Hyat t usual ly announce s planne d chang es abou t amont h befor e they g o int o effec t givin g member s ampl e tim e accumulatin g necessar y poin ts an d bookin g fina l stay s a t curren t rate s besides refunin g exce ss poin ts if bookin gs dro p dow n durin g thi s period betwee n reservatio n date an d actua l visi t date

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

The Daher TBM series, a staple of general aviation since 1988, has seen over 1,000 units produced across various models, with the TBM 960 as the latest iteration.

Apr 21, 2025

Passengers at Brisbane Airport now have access to a new lounge, courtesy of Escape Lounges, a brand known in the UK and US.

Apr 21, 2025

Southwest Airlines faces legal action following an incident involving a hot coffee spill on a four-year-old passenger during a flight from Florida to Salt Lake City, Utah.

Apr 21, 2025