Hoping to book a Hyatt all-inclusive resort or other, high-end properties around the globe with World of Hyatt points? You might want to do it now before you need more points to score a free night – and in some cases, way more.
The hotel chain released its upcoming round of changes to award pricing at hundreds of hotels on Wednesday and it’s a doozy. In all, 372 hotels are changing categories: 214 properties are moving up to a higher category and therefore will require more points to book a free night while just 158 locations are moving down. But, those big numbers don’t even tell the full story: This is bad news for Hyatt lovers.
Award chart changes are an annual ritual for Hyatt, but this upcoming shift is one of the worst we’ve seen in years, if ever. Aside from a few nice U.S. hotels going down in price, it’s almost universally bad news for travelers with a stash of Hyatt points (or transferable Chase points) with award rates at many of the best all-inclusive resorts, several high-end resorts, and many top Park Hyatt properties worldwide set to increase soon.
These category changes don’t take effect until March 28, however, so you’ve got just under a month to lock in a future stay at some of these properties before the points price increases. On the flip side, Hyatt will automatically refund World of Hyatt program members who book at any 158 properties going down a category for bookings made before the points pricing decreases.
We’ve rounded up a list of some great Hyatt properties on the move that you might want to book before March 28. Hyatt generally allows you to book as far out as April 2024, while it appears some of the all-inclusive resorts are even bookable as far out as summer 2024.
The Basics of Hyatt's Award Chart Changes
Hyatt sets the number of points you need to book a free night based on an award chart, divided up into eight different categories. That’s a good thing – at least most of the time.
If you want to book a standard room at a Hyatt category 5 hotel, it will cost you 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night. With the introduction of peak and off-peak pricing rolled out in 2021, the timing of your stay could change that rate … by as much as 5,000 additional points for a stay during peak travel times (or 5,000 points fewer for an off-peak reservation).
Here’s a look at Hyatt’s award chart.
With 372 properties on the move, there’s a lot to unpack. In all, 158 Hyatt properties will drop a category and thus cost fewer points per night. But there's no need to worry about that: Hyatt will refund the difference in points if you book a hotel that costs fewer points after March 28.
Hyatt handles the award chart for its all-inclusive properties a bit differently. As its portfolio of resorts has grown, Hyatt has introduced a whole new award chart for booking these resorts using your points.
The standard Category 1 through Category 8 award chart you'll find for Hyatt's regular hotels doesn’t apply here. Instead, Hyatt uses Category A through Category F to price these free nights at all-inclusive locations. The further down the alphabet you get, the more points it will cost.
Award rates range from 15,000 points to as much as 50,000 points per night standard night stay.
Here's a look at Hyatt's all-inclusive award chart:
All-Inclusive Resorts Are Going Way Up
Nothing is getting hit harder than Hyatt's Inclusive collection, Hyatt's 100-plus properties scattered throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. In total, 46 of these properties will be getting more expensive to book using World of Hyatt points. Ouch.
Over the past few years, Hyatt has expanded its portfolio of all-inclusive resorts from a handful of Ziva and Zilara properties to more than 100 locations, mostly in Mexico and the Caribbean.
We recently put together a list of 10 Hyatt all-inclusive resorts where your Hyatt points will go the furthest. Almost every property on that list will get more expensive come March 28. You'll want to book your stay at these resorts before then!
The Most Notable All-Inclusive Changes
Secrets Impression Moxché
No all-inclusive property is getting hit harder than the brand-new Secrets Impression Moxché. The property just opened late last year in Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya. Think of it as a high-end hotel within a hotel: It's located within the broader Secrets Moxché Resort.
This high-end, adults-only property has less than 200 rooms, each with a bigger footprint than what you'll find at the Secrets Moxché, and an outdoor hot tub. There are private pools and beaches, upgraded amenities, amazing restaurants, and top-shelf liquor. Early reviews suggest it lives up to the hype.
When it first opened, the Secrets Moxché was listed as a category C all-inclusive resort which means it could be booked for just 25,000 Hyatt points per night. Being that if you are paying cash nights cost $1,500 per night at a minimum, it is an incredible value. With this new category reshuffle, the property is now a Category F, which means it will soon cost 50,000 points per night for a room – double what it used to be.
We knew this deal was too good to last, so this property reshuffle doesn't come as a huge surprise. If you're interested in a stay, book before March 28 to beat the price increase. As of publication, there is still excellent award availability at the property.
The regular Secrets Moxché is going from category C to category E, which means it will go from a base rate of 25,000 points per night up to 40,000 points.
Hyatt Ziva and Zilara Properties Get Hit Hard
Hyatt's legacy Ziva and Zilara all-inclusive resorts will be taking a huge hit for award bookings made after March 28. We've long been a huge fan of the Ziva (family-friendly) and Zilara (adults-only) resorts as they have been an incredible use of World of Hyatt points. Not only has 20,000 to 25,000 points covered your room rate, but it also covers all your food, drinks, and most entertainment while you are at the resort.
Eight Ziva and Zilara resorts are about to take a big hit.
Here's what is in store:
| Property Name | Current Category | Current Points Per Night | New Category | New Points Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta | B | 20,000 | C | 25,000 |
| Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos | B | 20,000 | D | 30,000 |
| Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall | C | 25,000 | D | 30,000 |
| Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall | C | 25,000 | D | 30,000 |
| Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana | C | 25,000 | E | 40,000 |
| Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana | C | 25,000 | E | 40,000 |
| Hyatt Zilara Cancún | C | 25,000 | E | 40,000 |
| Hyatt Ziva Cancún | C | 25,000 | E | 40,000 |
Other Notable Hyatt Properties Getting More Expensive
While the all-inclusive resorts got hit hardest in Hyatt's latest award chart reshuffle, there are several other notable properties that will also cost more points per night come March 28. Again, if you have a planned stay at any of these properties, you'll want to book before prices increase.
Notable Changes in the United States
| Property Name | Current Category | Current Points Per Night | New Category | New Points Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andaz San Diego | 4 | 15,000 | 5 | 20,000 |
| Chicago Athletic Association | 4 | 15,000 | 5 | 20,000 |
| The Eliza Jane | 4 | 15,000 | 5 | 20,000 |
| Andaz West Hollywood | 5 | 20,000 | 6 | 25,000 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara Resort | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Andaz 5th Avenue | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Grand Hyatt Vail | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Park Hyatt Beaver Creek | 7 | 30,000 | 8 | 40,000 |
Notable Changes in Europe
| Property Name | Current Category | Current Points Per Night | New Category | New Points Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thompson Madrid | 4 | 15,000 | 5 | 20,000 |
| Andaz London Liverpool Street | 5 | 20,000 | 6 | 25,000 |
| Park Hyatt Vienna | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Hôtel du Louvre | 6 | 25,000 | 7 | 30,000 |
| Park Hyatt Zurich | 7 | 30,000 | 8 | 40,000 |
Notable Changes in the Middle East
- Park Hyatt Dubai: (Category 5 to Category 6). The base rate will jump from 20,000 points per night to 25,000 points per night.
Notable Changes in Asia
| Property Name | Current Category | Current Points Per Night | New Category | New Points Per Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Park Hyatt Saigon | 4 | 15,000 | 5 | 20,000 |
| Cape Fahn Hotel | 5 | 20,000 | 6 | 25,000 |
| Park Hyatt Bangkok | 5 | 20,000 | 6 | 25,000 |
| Hotel Gajoen Tokyo | 7 | 30,000 | 8 | 40,000 |
| Viceroy Bali | 7 | 30,000 | 8 | 40,000 |
Bottom Line
Award chart changes are an annual ritual for Hyatt, but this upcoming shift is one of the worst we’ve seen in years, if ever. Aside from a few nice U.S. hotels going down in price, it’s almost universally bad news for travelers with Hyatt points.
Nothing is getting hit harder than Hyatt's Inclusive collection, Hyatt's 100+ properties scattered throughout Mexico and the Caribbean. In total, 46 of these properties will be getting more expensive when using World of Hyatt points. Ouch.
You'll want to book your stay with Hyatt points before March 28 at any of the properties that are negatively impacted.
Looks like they removed all the availability from Secrets Impression Moxché when they released the changes.
That’s really crappy thing to do and I’m def taking notice. Hyatt has built a lot of good will while HiltonH and Bonvoy have taken us for granted these last few years. Looks like Hyatt is spending that capital now with this devaluation and Busch league move by blocking availability. If Hyatt spends more than this I’ll just go back to Bonvoy because at least they have plenty of locations. I’ve never met a Saint Regis. I didn’t thoroughly enjoy.
Dear Hyatt, I’m a revenue producing customer who enjoys earning and using points. Stop this.
Even that Category 8 exists really hits a sour note, much less the number of properties they’ve moved to Cat 8 over the last few years.
There should still be decent availability. It isn’t as good as it was last week, but there are still plenty of dates bookable at the current standard room rates.
The points calendar for Secrets Impressions Moxche shows how many points are needed for each date, but when I try to book any dates between May and November, I get this: “Unfortunately, this hotel is not accepting World of Hyatt points or award during those dates.”
I checked about 200 different days throughout 2023 and none had availability, although I didn’t check 2024.
We’ve checked lots of dates in February and March 2024 and are finding nothing as well.
They also take all availability out of Hyatt Ziva Cancun. Not a single day available for a reward room for the next 12 months (that’s how far Hyatt calendar goes anyway). They pretty much make their category changes effective immediately