Even with the upcoming category changes, there’s still plenty of value in World of Hyatt points

It is changing into an annual custom. Every February or March, World of Hyatt publicizes its annual category changes a few month earlier than implementing them. As quickly as Hyatt releases the record of class modifications, loyalists — myself included — rigorously study the list to see if properties we love or hope to ultimately go to will quickly require extra or fewer factors for a keep.

Every year, some vacationers bemoan the decline of the World of Hyatt program after the class change announcement. However, as TPG director Carly Helfand stated whereas discussing this yr’s modifications, “Yearly I discover no less than one which I’ve loved staying at that is getting cheaper, which additionally makes it somewhat extra bearable. This time it is the Calistoga Motor Lodge & Spa — it is a actually good choice in wine nation.”

Like Carly, I additionally look by the record to seek out interesting properties that may drop a class. Plus, though factors prices have elevated considerably over time for some properties, I consider there’s nonetheless loads of worth in redeeming Hyatt factors. Here is why.

Through the years, many loyalty packages have moved to dynamic award pricing. Dynamic award pricing is not inherently unhealthy, but it surely often results in this system’s factors or miles ultimately reducing in worth. And it virtually at all times makes getting outsize worth out of your rewards harder.

The good news is that Hyatt did not resolve 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 towards packages with bigger footprints.

Since World of Hyatt makes use of an award chart, you may predict how a lot you may must redeem for upcoming stays. Plus, having an award chart means you may typically escape peak pricing throughout occasions or excessive season.

Associated: Your guide to the World of Hyatt award chart

World of Hyatt makes use of peak, customary 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 Category 1 properties, 6,000 factors for Hyatt Category 4 properties and 10,000 factors for Hyatt Class 7 properties. Even when you think about that Hyatt factors are price rather more than most different lodge factors, it is a much less vital distinction than you may discover in most different lodge loyalty packages.

Nonetheless, I count on 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 take care of 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 decide to earn Hyatt points as a substitute of redeeming them.

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Associated: Should I get the World of Hyatt Credit Card or transfer points from Chase instead?

Certain, 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 every 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 packages make no-notice devaluations. Hyatt often publicizes its deliberate class modifications a few month earlier than they go into impact, so members have ample time to accrue Hyatt factors and guide any closing stays they need on the present award charges. Plus, Hyatt refunds factors for any bookings that drop in award class between once you guide and once you keep.

In brief, if we would like the World of Hyatt program to take care of its award charts, we should settle for that properties will typically change classes. Hyatt publicizes and handles these class modifications in the absolute best manner, which I respect.

Associated: 5 ways to book Hyatt award stays without enough points in your account

TPG’s February 2025 valuations peg the worth of Hyatt factors at 1.7 cents every. Nonetheless, I personally assume this valuation is extremely conservative, as I’ve gotten a mean of three.91 cents per level when redeeming Hyatt points for stays inside the final yr.

Three properties I’ve redeemed Hyatt factors at inside the final yr will enhance in class on March 25: Lindner Lodge Prague Fort, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin and Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport. Apparently, none of those properties gave me an above-average redemption rate after I stayed.

For instance, this February, I redeemed 40,000 factors for an eight-night keep at Lindner Lodge Prague Fort that might have in any other case value $1,124. This meant I bought a modest redemption charge of two.81 cents per level. Nonetheless, as soon as this property strikes to Class 2, I would want to redeem 64,000 factors for a similar keep. This may drop my redemption charge to 1.75 cents per level, barely above TPG’s February 2025 valuation of Hyatt factors.

The excellent news is that every one of my highest redemption charges inside the final yr had been at properties that are not altering in class on March 25, such because the Lindner Lodge 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 you might discover these class modifications lower your redemption charge at some properties, I think you may nonetheless get good redemption charges general. That is significantly true in the event you’re keen to sometimes guide paid charges at World of Hyatt properties or use another program for some stays. I nonetheless see World of Hyatt as among the best Chase Ultimate Rewards transfer partners. And I think I am going to ultimately switch my Bilt Rewards Factors to World of Hyatt — particularly if we ever see a Hyatt switch bonus on a Bilt Rent Day.

Associated: 5 easy ways to maximize Hyatt award redemptions

One yr, a TPG staffer proclaimed that his Hyatt free-night certificates felt nearly worthless after the annual class change announcement. He is actually 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 night certificates.

Get your award bookings in by March 25 on the present charges for any properties which might be leaping a class. But in addition take a while to contemplate what properties you need to redeem Hyatt factors at this yr. For instance, I am contemplating all of the properties I worry may enhance in class. This yr looks like a good time to go to, as they might go up in class subsequent yr.