World of Hyatt expands free cancellations, suspends award chart changes until next year
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
World of Hyatt announced temporary changes to its policies today, March 13, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 virus (novel coronavirus) outbreak. The adjustments include more lenient change and cancellation policies, the postponement of award chart changes (including peak and off-peak pricing) at most properties and a temporary suspension of points expiration.
These new rules are designed to give travelers peace of mind and the most flexibility as they assess their travel plans for the immediate future. The program previously announced members could receive 10,000 Hyatt points in lieu of a refund should they cancel a nonrefundable rate. Now, the policy has been expanded to include refunds of advance purchase rate reservations within certain time frames.
For the latest updates, bookmark TPG’s dedicated coronavirus hub page and sign up for our daily newsletter.
In This Post
Cancellation fee waivers
World of Hyatt has now expanded its cancellation fee waiver to include all properties worldwide. Until now, full refunds of nonrefundable bookings were only allowed through March 31 for guests with reservations in Greater China, South Korea, Japan and Italy and for members residing in the same areas with reservations at Hyatt hotels globally.
Now, even if you’ve booked an advance purchase rate, you’ll be able to change or cancel for a full refund:
- Any existing reservations made before March 13 for upcoming travel between March 14 and April 30, 2020, as long as you cancel at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled arrival
- New reservations for travel you make between March 13, 2020, and April 30, 2020 – for any future arrival date – can also be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before your scheduled arrival
- Existing nonrefundable reservations made directly with Hyatt on or before March 8, 2020 for travel through June 30, 2020 may still opt to receive 10,000 World of Hyatt points compensation if the stay is canceled, however no refund will be offered
To cancel and receive a refund, members can call one of World of Hyatt’s global contact centers or email worldofhyatt@hyatt.com. Only bookings made directly with Hyatt are eligible, not those made with an OTA or third-party site like Expedia. In the latter case, you’ll need to reach out to the third-party site for assistance.
Related: Maximizing redemptions with World of Hyatt
Hyatt award chart changes postponed
The planned World of Hyatt award chart changes that were to take effect March 22, 2020 have been postponed until 2021. This includes the introduction of peak and off-peak pricing at all hotels and planned award category changes, with the exception of five properties:
| Hotel |
Current free night award Ccategory |
New free night award category |
| Park Hyatt Mallorca |
6 |
5 |
| Hyatt Centric Park City |
6 |
7 |
| Park Hyatt Shenzhen |
4 |
5 |
| Alila Yangshuo |
4 |
5 |
| Park Hyatt Ningbo |
3 |
4 |
Any free night award and Points + Cash redemptions booked at the hotels above on or after March 22 at 8 a.m. Central Time will follow the new award chart. If you have an existing award booking for after Sunday, March 22 that moves to a lower award category, you’ll receive an automatic one-time refund on the point difference.
Points won’t expire through May 31
Normally, World of Hyatt points expire after 24 months of account inactivity. In light of the coronavirus outbreak and reduced travel, Hyatt will suspend points forfeiture until May 31, 2020.
No new extensions to elite status
In February 2020, World of Hyatt announced elite status extensions and award expiration dates for members residing in the Asia-Pacific region. Eligible members received an automatic extension of their Hyatt elite status from February 2021 to February 2022. Other benefits, such as suite-upgrade awards, club-access awards and free-night awards, have also been extended by a year from Dec. 31, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021.
Hyatt has not expanded these extensions to other regions, but notes “Given the quickly evolving nature of the situation, it is simply too early to suggest revised elite tier qualifications and award expiration beyond members in Asia Pacific. However, we know that adjustments will need to be made, and we are committed to communicating these updates as we can.”
Related: What is World of Hyatt elite status worth?
Bottom line
As the COVID-19 virus situation continues to escalate, it’s great to see World of Hyatt do right by its members and implement flexible policies around changes, cancellations and planned award chart adjustments.
Be sure to bookmark TPG’s coronavirus hub for the latest developments and news.
Featured photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer ends 8/3/2022.
- 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.
- 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 Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.