Hyatt is changing its award chart, effective in May 2026.
For years, Hyatt has been one of the most predictable hotel loyalty programs in the game. You could book a Category 1 for as low as 3,500 points, and you also knew the maximum cost of a Category 8. That transparency is what made Hyatt one of the strongest programs in award travel.
Now Hyatt is expanding its award chart from three redemption levels to five — and while they insist this is not dynamic pricing, some stays could increase by as much as 67%.
Here’s what’s changing, what it means for your points, and what you should do before May.
What Is Changing in the World of Hyatt Award Chart?
The World of Hyatt currently prices award nights at Off-Peak, Standard, and Peak levels across eight fixed categories. Beginning in May 2026, Hyatt will introduce five pricing tiers: Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top.
You can view all the current redemption award chart updates here.
Hyatt will still maintain a published award chart with defined point ceilings and is not moving to fully dynamic pricing like competitors. However, adding the Upper and Top tiers gives Hyatt more flexibility to charge higher point amounts during peak demand without formally moving hotels up a category.
How Much Are Hyatt Award Nights Increasing?
Under the new structure, maximum pricing increases significantly at the top end:
- Category 1: up to 9,000 points from 6,500
- Category 2: up to 15,000 points from 9,500
- Category 3: up to 20,000 points from 15,000
- Category 4: up to 25,000 points from 18,000
- Category 5: up to 35,000 points from 23,000
- Category 6: up to 40,000 points from, 29,000
- Category 7: up to 55,000 points from 35,000
- Category 8: up to 75,000 points from 45,000
In some cases, that represents a 67% increase compared to current peak pricing. While Categories 1–3 may see slight decreases at the very lowest levels, aspirational and high-demand properties are far more likely to price in Upper or Top tiers, meaning a stay that once capped at 45,000 points could now reach 75,000 points for the same room.
Same hotel. Same experience. More points.
You can view all the updated redemption award chart updates here.
Is This a Hyatt Devaluation?
Hyatt says no, because the program still has fixed category caps and a published chart.
Technically, that is true, but practically, this behaves like dynamic pricing with guardrails. There is no guarantee of a minimum number of Lowest or Low nights, and properties now have greater flexibility to price high-demand dates at higher levels. More variability usually means higher average redemption costs over time, which reduces the purchasing power of your points.
Why This Is a Reminder to Earn and Burn
This is exactly why, in the award travel space, we always say earn and burn.
Points are not investments. They are not protected from inflation. They are currencies controlled entirely by the loyalty program. When pricing tiers expand or ceilings increase, your points buy less. If you are holding 300,000 Hyatt points waiting for the perfect trip and the redemption cost jumps from 45,000 to 75,000 points per night, your balance just lost value overnight.
Programs evolve, structures change, and value shifts.
What to Do Before the May 2026 Changes
If you are planning or will plan a stay at a Hyatt in the future and want to lock in the rate before the changes take effect, NOW is the time!
1. Book Stays Now
If you are considering summer in Europe, holiday travel, popular resorts, or bucket-list properties, lock them in before May. Reservations booked before the update will be honored at current pricing.
2. Use Points in Advance
As a World of Hyatt Globalist, you can use Points in Advance to book award stays even if you do not currently have the points in your account. This is one of my personal strategies before every annual update and one of my favorite Globalist benefits. The required points must be in your account at least seven days before check-in, or you will be charged the current cash rate. You can call the Globalist line at 402-952-1125 or contact your My Hyatt Concierge to secure the booking.
3. Category 1–4 Free Night Certificates Just Became More Flexible
Hyatt confirmed that free night certificates will be valid across all pricing tiers within the category, including Upper and Top. That means if a Category 4 hotel prices at 25,000 points under the new Top tier, your certificate can still be used. That is actually a positive. The key is planning ahead, because availability on high-demand dates may tighten.
Two Actual New Enhancements
Alongside the award chart changes, Hyatt announced two true program enhancements:
- Digital Points Sharing – Members will soon be able to transfer points online instead of submitting manual forms, making it easier to combine or gift points.
- Early Award Access – Explorists, Globalists, Lifetime Globalists, and World of Hyatt credit cardmembers will receive early access to award night availability before general members.
Annual Category Changes Continue in April
Hyatt confirmed it will continue its established annual category review process, with changes announced each April. Members will still receive advance notice before category adjustments take effect, and existing bookings will be honored at the rate booked.
Separately, several immediate category changes were announced:
- Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach – up one category
- Hyatt Centric Malta – up one category
- Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort – up one category
- Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center – up one category
- Grand Hyatt Incheon – up one category
- Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa – up two categories (opening 2026)
- The Barnett – down one category
These category moves are separate from the five-tier pricing change and reflect Hyatt’s annual review process based on market demand and positioning.
My Personal Take
Hyatt has consistently been one of the strongest loyalty programs for points value. Being able to book a Category 1 for as low as 3,500 points is real value — especially when you compare that to programs like Marriott or Hilton, where you would never see pricing that low, even at their most basic brands.
On the high end, you always knew what you were walking into. A Category 8 had a defined ceiling. That predictability made it easier to plan and easier to justify loyalty. Compare that to fully dynamic programs, where a Hilton premium night can cost more than 1 million Hilton Honors points, while a standard night might cost 150,000.
Hyatt is still strong, as it remains ahead of many competitors, but expanding to five tiers introduces more flexibility and more room for pricing increases.
Final Thoughts on the Hyatt Award Chart Update
This isn’t the end of Hyatt’s value, but it’s a reminder of how this game works.
Loyalty programs evolve, benefits shift, and pricing adjusts. As more people engage in mainstream “travel hacking,” also known as Award Travel, and demand increases, programs adapt more quickly. Ultimately, these are businesses focused on profit and long-term sustainability. At least we got advance notice this time around.
Remember, this five-tier update in May isn’t the only change. Hyatt will still proceed with its annual category review in April, which you can expect some properties to shift categories before the new pricing tiers take effect, possibly raising redemption costs depending on their new categories.
If you’re planning Hyatt stays in 2026, don’t wait. I’m personally looking to secure bookings before the April category review and definitely before the tier expansion in May. Demand will likely surge as more members rush to lock in current pricing. Don’t wait until the last minute.
And, as always, keep in mind one key rule in this space: Earn and burn.
