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EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
The World of Hyatt program has announced its annual award chart changes, affecting 151 properties.
Among these, 118 properties will be subject to devaluation, requiring more World of Hyatt points for free night awards if booked after March 25th, 2025.
Conversely, 33 hotels will move to a lower category, reducing the points needed for a free night award.
This blog post will list the properties changing categories and offer booking recommendations before March 25th, 2025.
Hyatt Award Charts
An encouraging aspect of this year’s changes is that Hyatt has chosen to leave its existing fixed award charts untouched.
This ensures that each category will continue to require the same number of points per night to redeem free night awards.
Nevertheless, it’s still disappointing to see that some of the most sought-after Hyatt properties will now be more difficult to enjoy, as they’ll require more points to book.
World of Hyatt Award Chart
| Category | Off-Peak Standard Peak |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3,500 5,000 6,500 |
| 2 | 6,500 8,000 9,500 |
| 3 | 9,000 12,000 15,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 15,000 18,000 |
| 5 | 17,000 20,000 23,000 |
| 6 | 21,000 25,000 29,000 |
| 7 | 25,000 30,000 35,000 |
| 8 | 35,000 40,000 45.000 |
Category Changes Effective 3/25/2025
New Category 8 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Old Category: 7 (25K-35K) New Category (Effective 3/25/2025): 8 (35K-45K) |
| Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa |
| Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Japan |
| Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan |
| Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills |
| Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica |
| Il Tornabuoni Hotel, Florence, Italy |
Thoughts: Three Tokyo properties have recently become more expensive to book with Hyatt points starting March 25th, including my personal favorite, the Andaz Tokyo. It’s also notable to see the Andaz Papagayo rise yet another tier, considering it was a Category 4 property just a few years ago. Perhaps most disappointing though, is watching my favorite Florence property increase in category for the second consecutive year. As a Category 6, it offered exceptional value, and while I’m not surprised by the change, having stayed there twice when it was still a Category 6, it’s bittersweet to see such an incredible redemption become less accessible.
Milestone Reward: Hyatt’s Ultimate Free Night Award, earned when you stay for 150 nights per calendar year, can be redeemed at Category 8 properties.
New Category 7 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Old Category: 6 (21K-29K) New Category (effective 3/25/2025): 7 (25K-35K) |
| Hotel Toranomon Hills, Tokyo |
| Hyatt Centric Ginza, Tokyo |
| Palacio Duhao – Park Hyatt, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Grand Hyatt Baha Mar |
| Andaz Amsterdam Prinsengracht |
| Hyatt Regency London- The Churchill |
Thoughts: I had the pleasure of visiting Palacio Duhau in Buenos Aires and highly recommend it if South America is a part of your travels before April 2026. This summer, we’re planning a stay at the Hyatt Centric Ginza, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the experience.
Milestone Reward: You earn a Category 1-7 Free Night Certificate when you stay for 60 nights at Hyatt properties per calendar year. You can redeem that certificate at these properties.
New Category 6 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Increasing Old Category: 5 (17K-23K) New Category: 6 (21K-29K) |
| Grand Hyatt at SFO |
| Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas |
| Thompson Palm Springs |
| Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa |
| Alila Seminyak |
| Andaz Bali |
| Hyatt Regency Kyoto |
| Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars |
| The Tribune, Rome, Italy |
| Decreasing Old Category: 7 (25K – 35K) New Category: 6 (21K-29K) |
| Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa |
Thoughts: This devaluation affects two incredible Hyatt properties in Bali, as well as my go-to airport hotel, the Grand Hyatt SFO. Each will now require over 5,000 additional Hyatt points per night for free stays. On a brighter note, the popular Hyatt Regency Maui is dropping a category, allowing guests to save approximately 5,000 Hyatt points per night for stays booked after March 25, 2025.
New Category 5 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Increasing Old Category: 4 (12K-18K) New Category: 5 (17K-23K) |
| Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, California |
| Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Florida |
| The Bellevue Hotel, Pennsylvania |
| Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards, Texas |
| Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui |
| Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya, Japan |
| Hyatt Regency Koh Samui, Thailand |
| Hyatt Regency Vancouver, Canada |
| Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile, France |
| Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin, Ireland |
| Decreasing Old Category: 6 (21K-29K) New Category: 5 (17K-23K) |
| Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa, California |
| Dream Hollywood, California |
| Thompson Hollywood |
| Dream Nashville |
| Park Hyatt Busan, Korea |
Thoughts: If you have a Category 1-4 free night award certificate, now is the time to use it at any of these properties before they become Category 5. I just redeemed my free night certificate at the Hyatt Regency Paris-Etoile.
New Category 4 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Increasing Old Category: 3 (9K – 15K) New Category: 4 (12K – 18K) |
| Hyatt Place Page / Lake Powell, Arizona |
| Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Florida |
| Hyatt Place Gainseville Downtown, Florida |
| Hyatt Place Kent Narrows & Marina, Maryland |
| Hotel Kansas City, Missouri |
| Hyatt Place Flushing/La Guardia Airport, New York |
| The Pell, Rhode Island |
| Jabal Omar Hyatt Regency Makkah, Saudi Arabia |
| Alila Ubud, Bali, Indonesia |
| Hyatt Regency Phuket Resort, Thailand |
| Hyatt Regency Mexico City |
| Hyatt Regency, Barcelona Tower |
| Decreasing Old Category: 5 (17K – 23K) New Category: 4 (12K-18K) |
| Hotel Figueroa, California |
| Dream South Bay, Florida |
| Thompson Atlanta – Buckhead |
| Park Hyatt Doha, Qatar |
| Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and Spa, China |
| Grand Hyatt, Jeju, Korea |
Thoughts: Park Hyatt Doha and Grand Hyatt Jeju will be downgraded to Category 4, allowing them to be booked again using Hyatt’s Category 1-4 Free Night Award Certificates.
New Category 3 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Increasing Old Category: 2 (6.5K – 9.5K) New Category: 3 (9K – 15K) |
| Hyatt Place Flagstaff, Arizona |
| Hyatt Place Sacramento/Rancho Cordova, California |
| Hyatt Place Newark / Main Street, Delaware |
| Hyatt Place Miami Airport East |
| Hyatt Place Miami Airport-West/Doral |
| Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore, Florida |
| Hyatt Place Savannah Airport, Georgia |
| Hyatt Place Chicago/Midway Airport |
| Hyatt Place Indianapolis / Carmel |
| Hyatt Regency Coralville, Iowa |
| Hyatt Place, Kansas City/Lenexa City Center |
| Hyatt Place Boston Braintree |
| Hyatt Place Marlborough/Apex Center |
| Hyatt Place Omaha Downtown – Old Market |
| Hyatt Regency, Long Island, New York |
| Hyatt House Philadelphia/King of Prussia |
| Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport |
| Hyatt Place Houston / Downtown |
| Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport |
| Hyatt Regency Houston Downtown |
| Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria |
| Hyatt House Denver/Lakewood at Belmar, Colorado |
| Grand Hyatt Bali |
| Hyatt Regency Bali |
| Lindner Hotel Frankfurt Main Plaza |
| Me and All Hotel Hanover |
| Decreasing Old Category: 4 (12K – 15K) New Category: 3 (9K – 15K) |
| Hyatt Place San Carlos, California |
| Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country, California |
| Grand Hyatt Al Khobar Hotel and Residences, Saudi Arabia |
| Andaz Nanjing Hexi, China |
| Commune By The Great Wall, China |
| Park Hyatt Suzhou, China |
| Park Hyatt Jakarta |
| Hyatt Regency Yokohama, Japan |
| FirstName Bordeaux, France |
Thoughts: Two Category 2 properties in Bali are moving up another category for the second year in a row. This change is part of a bigger trend, with almost all properties in Bali impacted by this devaluation.
New Category 2 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Increasing Old Category: 1 (3.5K – 6.5K) New Category: 2 (6.5K – 9.5K) |
| Wild Palms Hotel, California |
| Hyatt Place Atlanta/Alpharetta/North Point Mall |
| Hyatt Place Chicago/Lombard/Oak Brook |
| Hyatt Place West Des Moines/Jordan Creek |
| Hyatt Place Detroit/Auburn Hills |
| Hyatt Place Detroit/Livonia |
| Hyatt Place Detroit/Utica |
| Hyatt Place Minneapolis/Eden Prairie |
| Hyatt Place Raleigh / Cary |
| Hyatt Place Canton |
| Hyatt Place Columbus / Polaris |
| Hyatt Place Pittsburgh Airport / Robinson Mall |
| Hyatt Place Nashville |
| Hyatt Place Dallas (Allen / Grapevine / North Arlington / Grand Prairie) |
| Hyatt Place Fort Worth/Alliance Town Center |
| Hyatt Place Houston Galleria / Sugar Land |
| Hyatt House Herndon / Reston |
| Hyatt Regency İzmir İstinyePark |
| Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli |
| Hyatt Regency Chandigarh |
| Hyatt Regency Delhi |
| Park Hyatt Chennai |
| Alila Manggis |
| Studios at Alila Seminyak |
| Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka |
| Alila Bangsar Kuala Lumpur |
| Hyatt Centric San Salvador |
| Lindner Hotel Vienna Am Belvedere |
| Lindner Hotel Antwerp |
| Lindner Hotel Prague Castle |
| Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport |
| Lindner Hotel Frankfurt Sportpark |
| Lindner Hotel Dusseldorf Airport |
| Lindner Hotel Dusseldorf Seestern |
| Story Hotel Studio Malmö |
| Decreasing Old Category: 3 (9K – 15K) New Category: 2 (6.5K – 9.5K) |
| Hyatt Place Newark / Silicon Valley, California |
| Hyatt Place Austin / Lake Travis / Four Points |
| Hyatt Regency Baytown – Houston |
| Grand Hyatt Muscat |
| Grand Hyatt Shenzhen |
| Hyatt Regency Qingdao |
| Hyatt Regency Mexico City Insurgentes |
Thoughts: Many Lindner properties in Europe are moving up a category, along with popular spots like Caption Osaka and Alila Kuala Lumpur.
New Category 1 Properties
| Property |
|---|
| Old Category: 2 (6.5K – 9.5K) New Category: 1 (3.5K – 6.5K) |
| Grand Hyatt Amman |
| Hyatt Regency Shenzhen Yantian |
| Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences |
| Hyatt Regency San Luis Potosí |
Thoughts: Only 4 properties will become new Category 1 hotels this year compared to 10+ properties last year.
Hyatt All-Inclusive Properties Award Chart
This year’s devaluation isn’t hitting all-inclusive properties as hard as last year, but we’re still seeing the usual trend of cheaper all-inclusive hotels getting more expensive over time.
Out of the 7 properties changing categories this year, 6 are going up. All of these changes are happening in Latin America, while all-inclusives in Europe remain unaffected for now.
World of Hyatt Award Chart for All-Inclusive Properties
| Category | Off-Peak Standard Peak |
|---|---|
| A | 12,000 15,000 18,000 |
| B | 17,000 20,000 23,000 |
| C | 21,000 25,000 29,000 |
| D | 25,000 30,000 35,000 |
| E | 35,000 40,000 45,000 |
| F | 42,000 50,000 58,000 |
All-Inclusive Category Changes Effective 3/25/2025
| Property | Old Category | New Category |
|---|---|---|
| Increasing | ||
| Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres | D | E |
| Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun | D | E |
| Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa | D | E |
| Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa | D | E |
| Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica | C | D |
| Dreams Onyx Resort & Spa | B | C |
| Decreasing | ||
| Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia | F | E |
The Properties to Book
The table below lists the properties that will increase by at least 10,000 Hyatt points per night.
| Property | Old Category New Category (effective 3/25/2025) |
|---|---|
| Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Hawaii | 30K 40K |
| Grand Hyatt Tokyo | 30K 40K |
| Park Hyatt Tokyo | 30K 40K |
| Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills | 30K 40K |
| Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica | 30K 40K |
| Il Tournabuoni Hotel, Florence | 30K 40K |
| Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres | 30K 40K |
| Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun | 30K 40K |
| Breathless Montego Bay Resort & Spa | 30K 40K |
| Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa | 30K 40K |
Booking Strategies
| Hyatt Member | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| All Members | Book properties by March 25, 2025 to lock in the old award chart rates. |
| Globalist | Book properties using points advance perk. |
| Member | Book properties that are going up in category. Focus on higher categories. |
| Member with a Category 1-4 Free Night Certificate | Book properties that are going up to Category 5. |
| Member with a Category 1-7 Free Night Certificate | Book properties that are going up to Category 8. |
| Families | Book the all-inclusive properties that will go up by at least 10,000 World of Hyatt points per night. |
| Couples/ Friends | Book the adults-only all-inclusive properties going up by at least 10K World of Hyatt points per night. |
| Solo Traveler | Book any of the properties going up in category. |
| Member with Club Lounge Award | Book any hotel property with a Regency Club that is also going up in category, such as the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. |
Travel Miles and Points Facebook Group
Join other points enthusiasts in our free Travel Miles and Points Facebook Group, where we post and discuss all Hyatt deals and promos. We look forward to seeing you there!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The information in this section was taken from Hyatt.com.
1. Why is the Award Chart changing?
Every year World of Hyatt performs an audit of the number of points required to redeem a free night and Points + Cash at each property. A hotel’s award category may be adjusted based on the current market conditions.
2. How will the World of Hyatt Award Chart change?
Some hotels will move to a higher category, and some hotels will move to a lower category. No other changes are being made to the chart at this time.
3. When will the changes to the award chart become effective?
Effective 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, World of Hyatt will adjust the award categories for 151 hotels.
4. How many hotels are shifting to a higher category?
118 hotels will move to a higher award category. Free night award redemptions at these hotels will require additional World of Hyatt points for reservations made or modified beginning at 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025.
5. How many hotels are shifting to a lower category?
33 hotels will move to a lower award category. Free night award redemptions at these hotels will require fewer World of Hyatt points effective 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025.
6. What are the current standard point redemption values for each free night award category?
The standard point values for each category aren’t changing. They remain as listed below:
Category 1 = 5,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 2 = 8,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 3 = 12,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 4 = 15,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 5 = 20,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 6 = 25,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 7 = 30,000 World of Hyatt points
Category 8 = 40,000 World of Hyatt points
7. What are the current standard point redemption values for each free night award category at all-inclusive resorts?
The standard point values for each category aren’t changing. They remain as listed below:
Category A = 15,000 World of Hyatt points
Category B = 20,000 World of Hyatt points
Category C = 25,000 World of Hyatt points
Category D = 30,000 World of Hyatt points
Category E = 40,000 World of Hyatt points
Category F = 50,000 World of Hyatt points
8. Are any existing Hyatt hotels moving into Category 8?
Yes, 6 Hyatt properties are moving into Category 8 with this change. These include:
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Grand Hyatt Tokyo
IL Tornabuoni Hotel
Park Hyatt Tokyo
9. For free night award redemption reservations made before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, which award chart will be effective?
All free night award redemptions booked before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, will follow the current Award Chart. For example, if you book an award night prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, for a stay that occurs on March 25, 2025, or after, the current Award Chart will apply. Any free night award redemptions booked or modified at 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, or after will follow the new Award Chart.
10. For Category 1-4 award and Category 1-7 award reservations made before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, which award chart will be effective?
All Hyatt Category 1-4 and 1-7 free night awards booked before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, will follow the current Award Chart. For example, if you book a category 1-4 or 1-7 free night award night prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, for a stay that occurs on March 25, 2025, or after, the current Award Chart will apply. Any Category 1-4 or 1-7 free night award redemption booked or modified at 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, or after will follow the new Award Chart.
11. How will award nights booked prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, be impacted if the hotel I am staying at now requires more points?
Any Free Night or Points + Cash Award booked prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, at a property that is shifting to a higher category and will require more points will not be affected. Reservations will remain in place at the originally booked point level. For example, a Free Night Award booked at a Category 1 hotel for 5,000 points before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, that is moving to a Category 2 hotel for 8,000 points will remain at 5,000 points. If the member subsequently cancels this Free Night Award, only 5,000 points will be returned to the member’s account because the member only used 5,000 points originally.
12. How will award nights booked prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, be impacted if the hotel I am staying at now requires fewer points?
Any Free Night or Points + Cash Award booked prior to 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, for nights on or after March 25, 2025, at a property that is shifting to a lower category and will require fewer points will receive an adjustment. World of Hyatt Guest Care Center will proactively deposit the point difference into a member’s account starting on March 26, 2025. If the reservation that received an adjustment is canceled, the points originally deducted for the award reservation will be returned to the member’s account and the adjusted points will be removed from the member’s account.
For example, a member with a Free Night Award booked before 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, for a Category 2 hotel for 8,000 points that is moving to a Category 1 hotel that requires 5,000 points at 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, will receive 3,000 points returned to his/her account. If the member subsequently cancels this Free Night Award, the 8,000 point award will be returned to the member’s account and then the 3,000 points adjustment will be removed.
13. Starting at 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, how will modifications to existing reservations be handled?
Any modifications made to reservations at or after 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, will follow the terms of the new Award Chart. At or after 8:00 a.m. CT, March 25, 2025, any modifications to Category 1-4 or 1-7 Award Night reservations that cause an award to be reissued cannot be redeemed for hotels that moved above Category 4 or 7 as part of these changes.
Credit Cards that Earn World of Hyatt Points
| Credit Cards |
|---|
| Credit Cards that earn Ultimate Rewards (UR) Points |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card Chase Sapphire Reserve® Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card |
| Credit Cards that earn World of Hyatt Points |
| The World of Hyatt Credit Card World of Hyatt Business Credit Card |
| Credit Cards that can Convert into Chase Ultimate Rewards (UR) Points* |
| Chase Freedom Flex® Chase Freedom Unlimited® Ink Business Cash® Credit Card Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card |
Final Thoughts
The upcoming World of Hyatt devaluation is causing concern among points enthusiasts and program members.
With several properties, especially popular hotels in Japan and Bali, set to move up in category and cost more points per night, budget-conscious travelers should seize the opportunity to book at lower rates before March 25th.
This post offers valuable insights on properties to secure before the devaluation.
Savvy Hyatt members should book before the changes occur on March 25th to maximize their points and ensure optimal value from future stays.
Since loyalty programs tend to get devalued almost every year, anyone using travel miles and points needs to stay on top of things and plan ahead to make the most of their rewards.
Are you booking something before the 25th?
ADVERTISER DISCLOSURE: The Frugal Tourist is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as MileValue.com and Cardratings. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All information about the American Express Schwab Platinum has been collected independently by The Frugal Tourist.
EDITORIAL DISCLOSURE: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
USER-GENERATED CONTENT DISCLOSURE: The comments section below is 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 questions are answered.
