Stretch Your Points: The best Category 1 Hyatt properties in the U.S.
Quick summary
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Everyone values -- and uses -- their points and miles differently. When it comes to hotels, some travelers prefer to use their points for a night or two in luxury, while others prefer to use their points for as many nights as possible. In a new "Stretch Your Points" mini-series, we'll focus on the latter by showing how you can stay at top hotel chains for the maximum number of nights using points.
Today we'll consider how to stretch your Hyatt points at domestic Category 1 Hyatt properties. We'll consider how many nights you can squeeze out of 60,000 Hyatt points after meeting the minimum spend requirement on the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
How many nights can I get?
The current Hyatt award chart has eight categories, with Category 8 reserved solely for select properties from the Small Luxury Hotels of the World partnership.
Hyatt's plan to implement peak and off-peak pricing has been put on hold multiple times during the pandemic — and it's now slated to launch in Oct. 2021. So if you're planning on redeeming your Hyatt points during peak travel dates, you should do it before the new award chart goes into effect.
Today we'll look at Category 1 properties, since these are the properties where you'll be able to stay the most nights with 60,000 points. Category 1 properties cost 5,000 points per night. You can use additional points to reserve club rooms and suites at some properties.
Unlike other hotel brands, Hyatt doesn't offer a fourth or fifth night free on award stays. So, the most free nights you can get from 60,000 points is 12. However, if you're points poor, you can book points and cash rates where you'll use fewer points but have a cash co-pay.
Related: Your complete guide to the World of Hyatt program
Property profiles
Hyatt has 146 Category 1 properties in the U.S. Most of Hyatt's Category 1 properties in the U.S. are Hyatt Place properties, which is Hyatt's entry-level brand. At Hyatt Place properties in the U.S., breakfast is free with your World of Hyatt membership when you book an eligible rate (including award nights).
There are also some Category 1 Hyatt House properties located in the U.S. Hyatt House is an extended-stay brand with apartment-style spaces that have room to work and relax. Hyatt House provides free breakfast buffets, sometimes with an omelet station. There's usually on-site laundry and common areas with fire pits and grills.
Rounding out the U.S. Category 1 properties are a few Hyatt Regency properties. Hyatt Regency was one of Hyatt's first brands, and today it remains one of Hyatt's upscale brands. Hyatt Regency properties aim to provide comfortable rooms with regionally inspired artwork.
You can see all of the Hyatt Category 1 properties using Hyatt's Explore Hotels tool. Next, we'll describe some of the most attractive Category 1 Hyatt properties in the U.S.
Related: The best international Category 1 Hyatt properties
When you need more space
Hyatt's Hyatt House properties are designed for extended stays. The extra space provided by these properties can make them more comfortable than the average hotel room for families, digital nomads and other travelers who value room to spread out and the option to prepare their own meals.
There are 19 Hyatt House properties in the U.S. that cost 5,000 points per night. Three of these are listed below in the "When you need to stay near an airport" section, but here are a few of the most attractive non-airport Hyatt House properties bookable for just 5,000 points per night.
Hyatt House Colorado Springs (Colorado)
The Hyatt House Colorado Springs is located in a scenic part of Colorado, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool with a hot tub as well as a workout room. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a studio suite with one king bed and a sleeper sofa or an executive suite with two double beds and a sleeper sofa. Prices usually range from $102 to $209 per night before taxes and fees.
Related: 6 ways to redeem points with the World of Hyatt program
Hyatt House Philadelphia/Plymouth Meeting (Pennsylvania)
The Hyatt House Philadelphia/Plymouth Meeting is 20 miles northwest of Philadelphia and is well located for families due to its proximity to Legoland Philadelphia. The hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool and a workout room. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a 350-square-foot studio with one queen bed, a 425-square-foot one-bedroom suite with one king bed, a 505-square-foot conference suite with one king bed or a 650-square-foot one-bedroom suite with two double beds. Prices usually range from $116 to $174 per night before taxes and fees.
Hyatt House Houston/Galleria (Texas)
The Hyatt House Houston/Galleria in Houston's southwest suburbs is just three blocks from The Galleria mall. The hotel has an outdoor pool, fire pit, grilling area and workout room. For 5,000 points per night, you can stay in a studio suite with one king bed or an executive suite with two double beds. Prices usually range from $85 to $131 per night before taxes and fees.
Hyatt House Provo/Pleasant Grove (Utah)
The Hyatt House Provo/Pleasant Grove is near Brigham Young University and Utah Lake State Park. The hotel has a heated outdoor pool, workout room and an outdoor fire pit. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a 307-square-foot guest room with one king bed or a 365-square-foot guest room with two queen beds. Prices usually range from $80 to $114 per night before taxes and fees.
Related: Your guide to the World of Hyatt award chart
When you want an upscale stay
There are currently 10 Hyatt Regency hotels in the U.S. that can be booked for 5,000 points per night. Two of these Hyatt Regency hotels are listed below in the "When you need to stay near an airport" section, but here are the other eight Hyatt Regency properties bookable for just 5,000 points per night.
Hyatt Regency Wichita (Kansas)
The Hyatt Regency Wichita is set along the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita and is connected to the Century II Convention Center. The hotel has a modern fitness center, an indoor heated pool and two whirlpools. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a 312-square-foot room with one king bed or two queen beds. Prices usually range from $104 to $159 per night before taxes and fees.
Hyatt Regency Albuquerque (New Mexico)
The Hyatt Regency Albuquerque is in downtown Albuquerque, so rooms have views of the city and surrounding mountains. There's a rooftop pool and a well-equipped fitness center. For 5,000 points per night, you can reserve a 389-square-foot room with one king bed or two double beds. These rooms, which usually go for $107 to $173 per night before taxes and fees, look sparsely decorated in photos, though.
Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth in 2021?
Hyatt Regency Tulsa (Oklahoma)
The Hyatt Regency Tulsa is in the heart of downtown Tulsa's vibrant business, entertainment and cultural districts with a rooftop pool that provides views of the city. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a modern-looking room with one king bed or two double beds. Cash prices usually range from $102 to $212 per night before taxes and fees. The Hyatt Regency Hotel Tulsa is the rare Category 1 hotel that offers a club lounge for elites. Non-elite members can upgrade for an additional 2,000 points per night. Club lounges offer breakfast and snacks, so the extra 2,000 points could be a great deal when traveling with a family.
Other Hyatt Regency properties
Five other Category 1 Hyatt Regency properties may fit your needs for a specific trip:
- Hyatt Regency Deerfield (Illinois): In the Chicago suburbs, newly renovated
- Hyatt Regency Lisle near Naperville (Illinois): In the Chicago suburbs
- Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Chicago (Illinois): In the Chicago suburbs
- Hyatt Regency North Dallas (Texas): In the Dallas suburbs near The University of Texas at Dallas
- Hyatt Regency Fairfax (Virginia): Outside Washington, D.C.
When you need to stay near an airport
Although inexpensive hotels can sometimes be found near airports, it often can be difficult to find a decent hotel with an airport shuttle when you have an early-morning departure, late-night arrival or need to overnight while in transit. Here are some Hyatt Category 1 hotels with airport shuttles that you can book for 5,000 Hyatt points per night.
Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
The Hyatt Regency Houston Intercontinental Airport features a complimentary airport shuttle, a fitness center and an attractive outdoor pool with cascading waterfalls and stone walls. For 5,000 points per night, you can get a 400-square-foot room with either one king bed or two double beds. Cash prices usually range from $88 to $160 per night before taxes and fees.
Hyatt Regency Dulles (IAD)
The Hyatt Regency Dulles features a complimentary airport shuttle, an indoor pool and a fitness center overlooking the pool. For 5,000 points per night, you'll get a 374-square-foot room with either one king bed or two double beds. Cash prices usually range from $76 to $161 per night before taxes and fees. If you're traveling with a family or simply need more space, the Hyatt House Sterling/Dulles Airport-North -- which also costs 5,000 points per night -- might be a better option.
Hyatt House Charlotte Airport (CLT)
The Hyatt House Charlotte Airport features a complimentary airport shuttle, outdoor pool, workout room and a basketball half-court. For 5,000 points per night, you can book a 565-square-foot one-bedroom suite with either one king bed or two double beds as well as a sleeper sofa and kitchenette. Cash prices usually range between $128 and $186 per night before taxes and fees.
Hyatt House Raleigh Durham Airport (RDU)
The Hyatt House Raleigh Durham Airport features a complimentary airport shuttle, outdoor seasonal pool, fire pit and workout room. For 5,000 points per night, you can get a 425-square-foot guest room with two double beds or a 450-square-foot studio suite with a king bed, sleeper sofa and kitchen. The guest room is just a large room, while the studio suite has separate living and sleeping areas but no door between these areas. Cash prices usually range between $93 and $180 per night before taxes and fees.
Other Properties With Airport Shuttles
Here are some other properties that cost 5,000 points per night and advertise complimentary airport shuttle service:
- Hyatt Place Albuquerque Airport (ABQ)
- Hyatt Place Atlanta Airport-South (ATL)
- Hyatt Place Austin Airport (AUS)
- Hyatt House Hartford North/Windsor (BDL)
- Hyatt Place Baltimore/BWI Airport (BWI)
- Hyatt Place Charlotte Airport/Lake Pointe (CLT)
- Hyatt Place Cincinnati Airport/Florence (CVG)
- Hyatt Place El Paso Airport (ELP)
- Hyatt Place Chantilly/Dulles Airport-South (IAD)
- Hyatt Place Sterling/Dulles Airport-North (IAD)
- Hyatt Place Indianapolis Airport (IND)
- Hyatt Place Milwaukee Airport (MKE)
- Hyatt Place Pittsburgh Airport (PIT)
- Hyatt Place Richmond Airport (RIC)
- Hyatt Place Roanoke Airport/Valley View Mall (ROA)
- Hyatt Place San Antonio Airport/Quarry Market (SAT)
- Hyatt Place Tucson Airport (TUS)
How to get Hyatt points
If some of these options look appealing but you don't have enough World of Hyatt points, there are a few ways you can obtain them. One option is to transfer Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt. Another option is to purchase points during a sale. A final option is to sign up for the World of Hyatt Credit Card -- which may also provide some benefits during stays -- and meet the minimum spending requirements to earn the up 60,000-point sign-up bonus (30,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first three months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 additional bonus points by earning 2 bonus points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 bonus point, on up to $15,000 spent).
Related: Here's how to quickly stock up on Hyatt points for your next vacation
Bottom Line
There's something to be said for using your points to stay at luxurious properties that you'd never book with cash. But if you're looking to stretch your points as far as possible, there are plenty of Category 1 Hyatt properties in the U.S. that cost just 5,000 Hyatt points per night. Best of all, you're not limited to Hyatt Place properties -- there are some spacious Hyatt House properties and even a few upscale Hyatt Regency properties to consider.