Quick Points: Make sure Hyatt pulls the right certificate from your account

Imagine the frustration of staying at a Hyatt Category 3 property and accidentally paying for it with a Category 1-7 free night certificate — all while a Category 1-4 free night certificate sits unused in your account. Ouch.

This experience taught me about a World of Hyatt quirk you should know. Here's how to ensure Hyatt pulls the right certificate from your account.

Hyatt's 2 types of free night awards

World of Hyatt issues two free night awards: Category 1-4 free night awards and Category 1-7 free night awards.

The former can be used at any property rated in categories 1-4 on Hyatt's award chart. These aren't affected by Hyatt's peak and off-peak pricing, either. As long as you can find a standard award room at an eligible property, you can use this certificate there. You can earn these free nights in the following ways:

• Receive a Category 1-4 free night each year with the World of Hyatt Credit Card (see rates and fees). This card is currently offering new cardholders to earn up to five free nights: three free nights after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. Plus, two free nights after spending $15,000 on purchases in the first six months. Free nights can be redeemed at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort worldwide.
• Earn a second Category 1-4 free night by spending $15,000 in a calendar year on the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
• Earn a Category 1-4 free night award after staying 30 qualifying nights or earning 50,000 base points with World of Hyatt in a calendar year, also qualifying you for mid-tier Explorist status.
• Right now, the World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (see rates and fees) is offering a generous welcome bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Category 1-7 free night awards are more valuable; these can be used at Hyatt properties in categories 1-7 and all-inclusive properties in categories A-D.

These awards also are more difficult to earn. You'll need to stay 60 qualifying nights or earn 100,000 base points in a year to nab a Category 1-7 certificate, also qualifying you for top-tier Globalist status.

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Related: World of Hyatt card vs. World of Hyatt Business card: 2 valuable hotel earners

Pulling the right certificate

If you have both types of awards in your account, you don't want to use a Category 1-7 award when staying at a hotel in Categories 1-4. Unfortunately, I did this without realizing it on a short-notice booking at the Category 3 Grand Hyatt Incheon.

As I learned the hard way, when you use a free night award to book a hotel online, Hyatt's website automatically pulls the award that expires first. You don't have the option to choose the lower-value award.

To get around this, call World of Hyatt reservations at 1-800-354-9288 or contact your My Hyatt Concierge (if you have one) to ensure the right certificate is applied.

Related: Quick Points: How (and why) you should regularly audit your loyalty accounts

Bottom line

Using my Category 1-7 free night award at a Category 1-4 property not only made me feel like I overpaid, but also prevented me from maximizing the more valuable award. Unfortunately, the award type can't be changed after your stay, so you should ensure in advance that Hyatt uses the right certificate.