Overview
- Hyatt replaced its three‑tier award system on May 20 with a five‑tier chart and reclassified 136 properties, a move designed to let hotels set lower or much higher point rates by date and demand.
- Independent analyses of large samples show uneven effects: Category 1–2 redemptions mostly became cheaper or unchanged while the priciest pre‑May‑20 Category 8 hotels saw the largest average hikes, about a 12% rise in The Points Guy’s dataset.
- Regionally and by segment the impact varies sharply: Asia‑Pacific overall shows many cheaper options but Japan now has a much higher share of pricier nights and ski resorts plus many all‑inclusive resorts are significantly more expensive in points.
- Hyatt added new Upper and Top tiers that were used on only about 1% of nights at launch but executives say those higher tiers will be phased in more over time, which could push more redemptions up in the future.
- Hyatt preserved protections for existing bookings and the shift raises the need for travelers to compare cash versus points, remain flexible on dates and weigh transfer or third‑party booking options when planning redemptions.