Bad news: World of Hyatt announces category changes, 214 hotels to soon require more points
There's a pretty brutal devaluation announcement for those who like to redeem points for some higher-end getaways from World of Hyatt on Wednesday.
Some 214 Hyatt hotels and resorts are getting higher categories, which means booking them will cost you more World of Hyatt points. Our early calculations show that among the hotels increasing in award category, the average award cost per night will come in at more than 5,000 points more nightly once these changes take effect.
Those who like to use free night certificates will find themselves with fewer options to use the Category 4 and 7 certificates once these changes take effect March 28. Higher-end and popular hotels and resorts in leisure-oriented locations were especially hard hit.
The list of hotels getting more expensive includes some of our favorites.
For example, the Grand Hyatt Vail goes from Category 6 to Category 7. The Grand Hyatt Kauai goes from Category 6 to Category 7, the Hyatt Regency Maui goes from Category 6 to Category 7 and the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino also goes from 6 to 7.
Nine Hyatt properties go up to Category 8, which takes them to the most expensive Hyatt redemption category and puts them out of the range of the Category 1-7 awards. This list includes popular redemption hotels such as the Park Hyatt Zurich, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek and Hyatt Centric Key West.
When hotels jump from Category 4 to Category 5, this puts them out of range of the annual Category 1-4 award from the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Some examples of affected hotels making this key leap are the Chicago Athletic Association, The Eliza Jane in New Orleans, the Thompson Madrid and the Hyatt Place Moab.
Related: Why the World of Hyatt Credit Card is great for families
Unfortunately, there will also be substantial changes to Hyatt's all-inclusive award chart, which will result in several popular resorts becoming significantly more expensive on award stays, including the TPG-reviewed Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall, the Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall, the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Cap Cana and the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana.
These jumps are substantial, as several resorts will go from costing 25,000 points per night for double occupancy to 40,000 points per night.
There is some (limited) good news, however, with 158 hotels moving to a lower award category.
The Thompson Denver and Thompson Washington D.C. are two hotels going down a category. The Thompson Washington D.C. will move down to Category 4, which means you can soon use those Category 1-4 certificates to book this property.
If you plan to use your Hyatt points at any hotels moving to a higher category (view the full list), you should make reservations now for future stays as far out as the calendar will allow, which is typically 13 months. These changes go into effect for bookings made or modified on or after March 28.
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Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees