What 8 TPG staffers really think about the Hyatt changes
Here at TPG, we have staffers who interact with the World of Hyatt program in many different ways.
But despite us having different opinions and takes on the upcoming World of Hyatt changes, in speaking with seven other staffers, I discovered we mostly agreed on three points:
- World of Hyatt will remain one of the most valuable hotel programs (at least, in the short term).
- The five-tier award chart with higher prices in each category hurts, especially for luxury stays.
- It's worth booking Hyatt award stays before May 20 if you can.
Here's a more detailed look at what we're thinking ahead of the Hyatt award chart changes on May 20.
Quick takes on the upcoming World of Hyatt changes
Two primary themes emerged when I asked my colleagues to sum up their feelings about the upcoming World of Hyatt changes in a few sentences.
Measured optimism that Hyatt points will remain valuable
I'm optimistic that these changes won't slash the value I can get when redeeming Hyatt points, especially in the near term. After all, Hyatt has said it will "implement the changes thoughtfully, with limited hotels moving a limited number of nights into the 'upper' and 'top' categories in 2026 and broader adoption in the years that follow."
But, it's impossible to know how bad the initial impact will be — especially at the low-category properties I frequent most — until May 20 arrives and we get a chance to analyze the new award pricing.
I expected I'd be alone in my relatively positive, "let's wait and see" attitude. But TPG senior writer Ben Smithson echoed my feelings, telling me, "The sky isn't falling. Compared with other hotel loyalty programs, Hyatt still represents great value, especially when looking to use Chase Ultimate Rewards points."
TPG director Zach Goldman also has a balanced perspective, saying he's feeling "Cautiously positive, if I'm being honest. There are definitely real devaluations here (especially with the move to the five-tier pricing model), but I think Hyatt deserves some credit for not going fully dynamic. A fixed award chart, even an imperfect one, still gives you the ability to plan and find genuine value."
Frustration about higher points costs
Not surprisingly, though, many TPG staffers are frustrated by the upcoming May 20 changes. TPG principal spokesperson Clint Henderson said, "I'm pretty disappointed with how much more dynamic the Hyatt award chart is becoming. It feels like my favorite brand, Park Hyatt, will become increasingly out of reach. A two-night stay will quickly burn down my World of Hyatt points balance, and it's going to take more points for fewer stays overall."
Meanwhile, TPG senior director Summer Hull highlighted the impact on families who primarily travel during school breaks, saying, "Look, this one is going to sting. I like to stay at Category 6-8 hotels on vacation a couple of times a year. We can typically only travel during school breaks now, so we are going to fall into the upper pricing tiers a lot of the time, which means that we could easily be paying 40%-67% more for stays than before these changes."
Related: World of Hyatt wish list: 2 TPG Globalists on their dream program changes
What's the best of the upcoming changes?
There are at least a few upsides to the upcoming Hyatt changes, so I asked each of my colleagues what they're most looking forward to. For example, I'm excited that the ability to share points digitally will be available later in 2026, that Hyatt is maintaining an award chart and that the program plans for fewer properties to change categories in future years. Plus, soon I'll be able to pay just 3,000 points for a Category 1 property on select nights.
But here's a look at what my colleagues are thinking.
Award charts remain
Many TPG staffers are simply relieved that Hyatt award charts will remain. As Summer said, "The most positive change is simply that there are still award charts. That's certainly not a given in this era, so at least there is that."
Several also agreed with me on the potential upside of some categories offering "lowest" award rates that are less than the current "off-peak" rates. For example, writer Rachel Craft said, "The only upside I've seen is that the new 'lowest' date category is now slightly cheaper than the old 'off-peak' category, at least, for low- and mid-tier hotels. Since I usually stay at these types of properties, I might be able to save some points."
Related: Was going all-in on Hyatt Globalist worth it? My honest take after 8 months
24 hotels dropping in category
TPG director Andrea Rotondo also pointed out that "24 hotels will move to a lower category, so there's a silver lining for all the glass-half-full people out there."
Zach seconded this, noting, "The category drops in Asia also stand out to me personally. The Standard, Singapore dropping to Category 4 (and being bookable with a free night award) is a meaningful win, especially since cash rates in Singapore tend to be higher than elsewhere in Southeast Asia."
Still a valuable transfer partner
Finally, managing editor Madison Blancaflor highlighted that she expects Hyatt to remain a strong option for Bilt and Chase Ultimate Rewards points. In her own words, "Given I'm typically transferring points from a credit card to hotel programs to book, even with these changes, Hyatt will remain the more valuable program for me over Marriott or Hilton (which regularly charge into the six figures for award night stays at sought-after properties)."
Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable credit card points
What's the worst of the upcoming changes?
Across the board, TPG staffers agreed that the shift from three to five award tiers — and the higher rates those new tiers unlock — is the most painful part of the May 20 changes.
Clint said, "For me, the dramatic rise in points requirements for the most aspirational properties is the biggest drag."
Rachel added, "For the highest-tier properties, the old cap of 45k points per night will be replaced by a whopping 75k. I don't frequent super-luxe hotels, but I have used Hyatt points to book expensive Colorado ski hotels during peak ski season, when cash rates would have been cost-prohibitive for me. This change will, in many cases, put award rates out of reach as well."
However, the award-pricing pain of five award tiers won't be felt only at aspirational or seasonal properties. In fact, Category 1 properties will cost three times as many points on "top" dates compared to "lowest" dates.
These changes will likely disproportionately affect travelers who like to redeem Hyatt points for stays during peak seasons, holidays and events. As Andrea wrote, "Once a year, we host a family reunion, and since both my sister and sister-in-law are teachers, the trip always falls during the peak summer season. We normally book Category 5 or 6 hotels for between 23,000 and 29,000 points per room per night. The new award chart means those same hotel rooms will cost 35,000 to 40,000 points per room per night. When booking seven rooms, that price increase hurts! Sadly, this likely means I won't book Hyatt properties for our reunions going forward."
Finally, some staff also lamented the move of more properties into Category 8. For example, Zach said, "Seeing properties like the Park Hyatt London River Thames, Hotel du Louvre and Andaz 5th Avenue pushed to Category 8 stings. Those were the redemptions that made holding a large stash of Hyatt points feel worth it."
Related: 22 best Hyatt hotels in the world to book with points
What are we booking before May 20?
With many TPG staff concerned about higher award prices after May 20, the next natural question was: "What are you booking before May 20?"
I'm already at 51 elite nights for 2026 and have nine more award nights booked. So, I'll likely leave it there and just see how the changes go. I only have about 13,000 Hyatt points in my account now, but I'm optimistic that the award pricing changes won't be nearly as bad in practice this year as many suspect.
However, some TPG staffers are trying to redeem lots of Hyatt points before the changes take effect. For example, Clint redeemed 402,000 points for Hyatt stays ahead of the changes, and Andrea has already booked stays at the Park Hyatt New York, the Park Hyatt Chicago and Argentina's Palacio Duhau — Park Hyatt Buenos Aires and Park Hyatt Mendoza. On top of these stays, Andrea says she's also looking to book Australia's Park Hyatt Sydney and Park Hyatt Melbourne before May 20.
Summer has a ski weekend next year booked at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, noting "ski hotels are likely to get much more expensive across the board as they are higher tiers and ski season will be peak rates." But she says her family's busy schedule makes it difficult to fit in all the trips she'd ideally book before these changes take effect.
Interestingly, most TPG staff haven't yet locked in everything they plan to book before May 20, with Andrea saying she'll "probably book future Hyatt stays right up to the May 20 change" and Ben continuing to hope award availability will open before May 20 at the Hyatt Regency Amsterdam for the October weekend trip he wants to book.
Meanwhile, Rachel is considering booking the Hyatt House across from Universal Orlando Resort for an October stay to visit Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. She notes, "This Category 3 property currently costs 15,000 points per night during my dates, and that will likely increase to 17,500 or 20,000 points after the changes — so I could save 10,000 or 20,000 points on a four-night stay if I book before May 20."
Finally, Zach says he is working to "lock in the Park Hyatt Tokyo and the Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono before the changes kick in for my first trip to Japan," noting that "both are properties I've had my eye on, and locking in current award rates feels like the right move."
Now is the time to get your bookings in. Don't wait until May 19 or the morning of May 20, as I expect the Hyatt website, app and call centers may be overloaded and slow by that time. Also keep in mind that some elite members can book award stays without enough points in their account by contacting Hyatt. You'll need enough points in your account to cover the booking as the check-in date for the award reservation nears, though.
Related: 10 Hyatt hotels to book with points now — before major award chart changes this May
How do the changes affect our loyalty to World of Hyatt?
It's impossible to say how these changes will affect my loyalty to Hyatt until we both see the award pricing on May 20 and how the mix of award tiers within each category shifts over the next few years. That said, I don't think these changes will drastically reduce the value I get when redeeming Hyatt points (at least, in the short term), and I also believe World of Hyatt has the best top-tier elite perks of any program. So, I expect maintaining Globalist status to remain a priority for at least the next few years.
Several other TPG staffers with top-tier Hyatt Globalist status are taking similar approaches to their loyalty. For example, Andrea said, "I really value being a Hyatt Globalist for the authentic service I receive and the Suite Upgrade Awards. Those awards will be even more valuable once the program moves to the five-tiered seasonal award chart. I plan to continue on my quest to requalify for Globalist in 2027. Then, I'll reassess in the first quarter of next year and decide what program will get my business for 2028."
Similarly, Clint said, "For now, I'm not giving up on Hyatt Globalist status, but the constant devaluations have soured me a bit on the program. I'm taking a wait-and-see approach once we have a better idea of just how often the top hotels are at the peak award prices before I would consider throwing in the towel, but I'm definitely on alert." Clint also added, "I'm still treated well as a Globalist, and I love my Hyatt ambassador."
However, responses varied among some staff, especially those without top-tier status. While Ben said he still plans to "focus on Hyatt program properties both for cash and redemption stays" and expects to "still be able to reach Discoverist or Explorist status pretty easily," Rachel and Zach think they'll likely stay with Hyatt less frequently.
Zach says, "Part of it is the award chart changes, but the other part is the broader competitive landscape. Honestly, with American Express' 1:2 transfer ratio to Hilton, the gap between the programs has narrowed in my eyes. When I start weighing Waldorf Astoria, Conrad and Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties against what's left at the top of Hyatt's chart, the calculus is closer than it used to be."
Related: On the hamster wheel of chasing hotel elite status? Buy it instead
Final thoughts
Zach summed up my thoughts perfectly when he said, "For readers sitting on a Hyatt stash right now: Don't panic, but do be intentional. The program still has real value, but the window for squeezing top-tier value out of luxury European and U.S. properties is narrowing. Book what you've been eyeing before May 20 if you can."
Madison offered an important reminder: "Loyalty is not a one-size-fits-all situation, so make sure you're evaluating what these changes mean for you and your personal goals, habits and needs — not just what they mean for all of us at TPG."
Ben added, "Devaluations are an unfortunate reality of earning and redeeming points and miles. Don't save them up for a rainy day; redeem them as quickly as you can."