It is turning into an annual custom. Every February or March, World of Hyatt proclaims its annual class modifications a few month earlier than implementing them. As quickly as Hyatt releases the listing of class modifications, loyalists — myself included — rigorously study the listing to see if properties we love or hope to finally go to will quickly require extra or fewer factors for a keep.
Annually, some vacationers bemoan the decline of the World of Hyatt program after the class change announcement. However, as TPG director Carly Helfand mentioned whereas discussing this yr’s modifications, “Yearly I discover at the very least one which I’ve loved staying at that is getting cheaper, which additionally makes it just a little extra bearable. This time it is the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa — it is a actually good possibility in wine nation.”
Like Carly, I additionally look by means of the listing to seek out interesting properties that may drop a class. Plus, though factors prices have elevated considerably over time for some properties, I imagine there’s nonetheless loads of worth in redeeming Hyatt factors. Here is why.
Hyatt nonetheless has an award chart
Through the years, many loyalty applications have moved to dynamic award pricing. Dynamic award pricing is not inherently dangerous, nevertheless it normally results in this system’s factors or miles finally reducing in worth. And it virtually all the time makes getting outsize worth out of your rewards tougher.
The good news is that Hyatt did not determine to take away or change its award chart this yr. World of Hyatt is aware of its award chart is a differentiator, particularly when competing in opposition to applications with bigger footprints.
Since World of Hyatt makes use of an award chart, you’ll be able to predict how a lot you may have to redeem for upcoming stays. Plus, having an award chart means you’ll be able to typically escape peak pricing throughout occasions or excessive season.
Associated: Your information to the World of Hyatt award chart
World of Hyatt makes use of peak, commonplace and off-peak pricing for every class, however I’ve booked way more off-peak award nights than peak award nights. The distinction between off-peak and peak award charges can be minimal: simply 3,000 factors for Hyatt Class 1 properties, 6,000 factors for Hyatt Class 4 properties and 10,000 factors for Hyatt Class 7 properties. Even when you think about that Hyatt factors are value way more than most different resort factors, this can be a much less important distinction than you may discover in most different resort loyalty applications.
Nonetheless, I anticipate we’ll proceed to see Hyatt deliver choose manufacturers and properties in at dynamic award charges, as we noticed with Mr & Mrs Smith and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. If that is what Hyatt must do to keep up an award chart for many of its properties, I will not fret over it. If I select to remain at these properties, I am going to choose to earn Hyatt factors as an alternative of redeeming them.
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Associated: Ought to I get the World of Hyatt Credit score Card or switch factors from Chase as an alternative?
Hyatt’s annual award class replace is affordable
Let’s be trustworthy: It is cheap for World of Hyatt to replace the award class for a few of its properties annually.
Positive, it has been unhappy to see some properties slowly climb in class annually. And I am personally bummed to see that the one Class 1 Park Hyatt — the Park Hyatt Chennai — will lastly transfer as much as Class 2. However as occupancy, common day by day charges and different elements shift for a property, it is solely cheap for its class to shift.
I additionally respect how Hyatt handles its annual class modifications, particularly as many different loyalty applications make no-notice devaluations. Hyatt normally proclaims its deliberate class modifications a few month earlier than they go into impact, so members have ample time to accrue Hyatt factors and e book any remaining stays they need on the present award charges. Plus, Hyatt refunds factors for any bookings that drop in award class between while you e book and while you keep.
In brief, if we would like the World of Hyatt program to keep up its award charts, we should settle for that properties will typically change classes. Hyatt proclaims and handles these class modifications in the absolute best manner, which I respect.
Associated: 5 methods to e book Hyatt award stays with out sufficient factors in your account
Hyatt factors are nonetheless extraordinarily priceless
Three properties I’ve redeemed Hyatt factors at throughout the final yr will improve in class on March 25: Lindner Resort Prague Fortress, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin and Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport. Curiously, none of those properties gave me an above-average redemption price after I stayed.
For instance, this February, I redeemed 40,000 factors for an eight-night keep at Lindner Resort Prague Fortress that will have in any other case price $1,124. This meant I obtained a modest redemption price of two.81 cents per level. Nonetheless, as soon as this property strikes to Class 2, I would wish to redeem 64,000 factors for a similar keep. This might drop my redemption price to 1.75 cents per level, barely above TPG’s February 2025 valuation of Hyatt factors.
The excellent news is that each one of my highest redemption charges throughout the final yr have been at properties that are not altering in class on March 25, such because the Lindner Resort Cologne Am Dom, Hyatt Place Austin Airport, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Hyatt Place Dallas / Las Colinas. And I’ve booked some glorious redemptions for later this yr in South Africa and Sweden that may give me greater than 5 cents per Hyatt level.
So, though chances are you’ll discover these class modifications lower your redemption price at some properties, I think you may nonetheless get good redemption charges general. That is notably true in case you’re keen to sometimes e book paid charges at World of Hyatt properties or use one other program for some stays. I nonetheless see World of Hyatt as probably the greatest Chase Final Rewards switch companions. And I think I am going to finally switch my Bilt Rewards Factors to World of Hyatt — particularly if we ever see a Hyatt switch bonus on a Bilt Hire Day.
Associated: 5 simple methods to maximise Hyatt award redemptions
Backside line
One yr, a TPG staffer proclaimed that his Hyatt free-night certificates felt almost nugatory after the annual class change announcement. He is definitely allowed to really feel this fashion, however I did not agree on the time and do not agree now. I nonetheless get ample worth when redeeming World of Hyatt factors and free evening certificates.
Get your award bookings in by March 25 on the present charges for any properties which are leaping a class. But in addition take a while to think about what properties you wish to redeem Hyatt factors at this yr. For instance, I am contemplating all of the properties I concern may improve in class. This yr looks as if a good time to go to, as they might go up in class subsequent yr.
