April 27, 2026
2026 Changes to the World of Hyatt Program
Pam
Say it ain’t so! But it is. Changes were made to some Hyatt hotel award categories. There are always category changes each year, and we expect them. Honestly, these weren’t all that bad in our opinion. Starting on May 20th, 136 hotels will shift categories, with most going up a category. Some of the notable properties changing categories are:
- Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort is moving up to a Category 5
- Andaz 5th Avenue is moving up to a Category 8
- Hôtel du Louvre in Paris is moving up to a Category 8
- Hyatt Regency Lisbon is moving up to a Category 5
- Park Hyatt London River Thames is moving up to a Category 8
Hyatt announced changes to their award-night points tiers earlier this spring, which were a pretty big blow. So that may partially explain why the category changes for specific hotels don’t seem as bad as they were in previous years. Here’s what Points Talk Squad members need to know:
Level Changes
Hyatt is expanding the award chart from three pricing levels to five. Right now, Hyatt hotels price award nights at off-peak, standard, or peak rates.
Starting May 20, 2026, Hyatt will use five pricing levels instead:
• Lowest
• Low
• Moderate
• Upper
• Top
Hyatt is still keeping its category system, which is great news compared to completely dynamic programs, but the spread between the cheapest points nights and most expensive points nights will be wider than before.
This means the same hotel could cost many more points on high-demand dates than it does today. And that could be bad news for people with less flexibility. I would expect holiday travel and summer travel to cost more points.😩
Pricing Increases
Top pricing is increasing across many properties, and this is where the biggest impact will be felt. High-end hotels, resorts, and peak season stays will see the largest increases at the new “top” level. Some Category 7 and 8 properties could cost noticeably more points on peak dates than current peak pricing. This is the most distressing news for this bougie-loving traveler. Luckily, I have more flexibility than many people do, so I’m still hoping I can book my travel around the “low” or “lowest” nights when they’re available.
The new “lowest” and “low” levels may offer better value during slower periods—but peak-demand dates are when most people redeem. Overall, this creates more variability in award pricing.
The Good News
Pretty soon, we will be able to transfer Hyatt points digitally! While that is definitely good news, it pales in comparison to the bad news above.
Free-night and suite-upgrade awards will not be affected. They can also be used at the “top” pricing tier, which could make them more valuable. TBD, when we see how the category changes are affected.
An Ugly Example
Let’s take the example of staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai, a Squad favorite property. As a current Category 8, it can now cost as few as 35,000 points at the lowest time. But how often are Hawaii properties ever going to be at the lowest pricing? At its top redemptive level, it will now be 75,000 points a night. Insane increase for a hotel that used to be booked for 45,000 points at its highest. This is going to hurt!
Alex and her family probably won’t be making Christmas trips here in the future.
Points Talk Squad Take
Hyatt is still one of the best hotel programs because it keeps an award chart. That alone puts it ahead of most competitors. But moving to five pricing levels clearly gives Hyatt more room to increase award costs, especially at premium properties and at peak travel times.
The move right now is simple: If you’ve been thinking about booking a Hyatt award stay, consider doing it before May 20th. Locking in current rates could save a lot of points.
Our quick thoughts:
- Book now or before May 20, 2026, for the best pricing
- Plan on being more flexible with travel dates; maybe plan more off-season travel dates.
- Know that Hyatt is not the only hotel option in town; look at all the other cards that offer hotel credit!
- We’ve been around long enough to know that with the right pivot, travel can still be nearly free even when big changes seem daunting. Watch throughout the year as our entire community learns how to turn lemons into lemonade!
In the meantime, share your thoughts and strategies below, and feel free to vent. We feel ya and we are right there with you!
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I have so many plans for 2027 that I needed to book *right* after these changes go into effect. I’ll be at the 14 or 15 month mark for planning which means Hyatt won’t have their calendar open yet! Do you think if I put plans down for the 13 month mark and then later ask to move them they might later let me stay under the lower point/tier and not charge me higher points? Just an idea!
That would be awesome but they would rebook at the higher rate. I’m in the same position on some of the bookings I want to make so need to change my dates or plan to pay more, sadly.
Somehow I was under the assumption that if you booked prior to 5/20/26 that the points shown for your specific dates were locked in and confirmed. That doesn’t appear to be the case as of this morning 5/20/26.
They are locked in and confirmed. However, you may see the new prices in your details but you won’t be charged more.