5 ways to book Hyatt award stays without enough points in your account
Editor's Note
World of Hyatt recently announced its list of annual category changes. Through this announcement, we learned that you'll soon need to redeem more Hyatt points for award stays at 118 properties.
Luckily, World of Hyatt announced its planned category changes in advance. So, you can still book Hyatt hotels and resorts at their current award rates through March 25 at 8 a.m. CDT.
I recommend looking through the list of properties increasing in award category and determining which, if any, you want to book ahead of the category changes. Even if you don't currently have enough Hyatt points in your account, you could still use one of the following ways to book your stays before the category changes March 25.
Transfer points from a partner program
You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points and Bilt Rewards Points to World of Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio.
Transferable points are valuable because you can convert them into different types of points and miles. World is Hyatt is one of the highest-value partners of both programs, so you'll usually get good value when transferring your rewards to World of Hyatt.
Transfers usually occur instantly, but be sure to check for award availability at the Hyatt property that you want to book before transferring your points.
Related: Should I get the World of Hyatt Credit Card or transfer points from Chase instead?
Transfer points from another member’s account
If you have a friend or family member with a healthy stash of points, they can transfer Hyatt points to your account for free. There is no minimum or maximum number of points you can combine, though you can only transfer or receive points once every 30 days.
Transferring points between Hyatt accounts is an antiquated — but worthwhile — process. Hyatt requires you to fill out this form (PDF file), get signatures from both members and email it to combinepoints@hyatt.com. You can alternatively mail in the form, but I suspect few members do so.
Related: The ultimate guide to redeeming your World of Hyatt points
Get another member to book you an award stay
Hyatt lets its members book award stays, including Guest of Honor stays, in another member's name. So, if the member doesn't want to transfer points to your account but is willing to book an award stay for you, they can do so.
The other member must use their points to book the award stay in your name. To do so, they must contact World of Hyatt customer service.
You must show photo identification at check-in and provide a credit card or cash deposit for incidentals. However, unless the member books a Guest of Honor award for you (which gives you on-property Globalist perks), you'll get elite benefits and earnings on incidentals based on your own Hyatt elite status (not the member's status).
If you need to change your reservation, you'll need to have the member who booked cancel the reservation and rebook.
Related: Your guide to the World of Hyatt award chart
Book a points-advance reservation
Normally, Hyatt will remove points from your account within three days of when you book an award stay. However, you may be able to book an award stay even if you don't have enough points in your account if you have Hyatt elite status.
According to the World of Hyatt terms and conditions, "In some instances, a Member with elite status may be permitted to make an Award Reservation even though the Member does not have a sufficient number of points or the applicable award required for that Award Reservation, in anticipation of the Member accumulating the necessary points or award before the check-in date of the Award Reservation. If the elite Member does not have the sufficient number of points or the applicable award in their account as the check-in date of the Award Reservation nears (as determined by Hyatt in its sole discretion), the reservation may be canceled or changed by Hyatt in its sole discretion to the then-current Standard Rate for the applicable room."
So, you can contact World of Hyatt if you have elite status and want to make a points-advance reservation. However, any changes, including applying a suite upgrade award, will likely cause the stay to reprice at the new rates. It's also smart to ask the agent when you must have the points in your account to cover your stay.
Be sure to keep an eye on your account, as some members in recent years have said Hyatt used the new rates when deducting points ahead of stays. However, if you contact World of Hyatt, you should be able to get the award price at which you booked honored. To avoid this potential issue, you may want to contact Hyatt once you have enough points in your account so the agent can manually deduct the correct amount.
Related: 22 best Hyatt hotels in the world
Buy points
Buying at least 5,000 Hyatt points can unlock a 25% discount through April 14. This brings the purchase rate of Hyatt points down to 1.95 cents apiece, which is higher than TPG’s February 2025 valuation of 1.7 cents apiece.
While this isn’t the best promotion on buying Hyatt points you'll likely see this year, it's worth considering if that's what you need to do to book a stay before the property moves to a higher award category.
Related: How to earn World of Hyatt points to redeem for your next vacation
Bottom line
The annual Hyatt category changes usually bring more bad news (category increases) than good news (category decreases). But there's still time to book stays into 2026 at the current rates — you just need to book by March 25 at 8 a.m. CDT.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.