It’s that time of year, time for World of Hyatt hotel category changes. As with previous Hyatt hotel category changes, there’s time to make plans and book travel through March 25, 2025 at existing award chart rates.
On March 26, 2024, at 8 am CT, 183 hotels will change categories. The majority, 137 hotels, will go up a higher category and 46 hotels will decrease in category.
Pro-tip: Category changes impact Points + Cash rates.
Hotels You Should Book Now on Points
These are some of the hotels you should book now if you’re paying with points. Focus on the hotels moving from a Category 4 to a Category 5 because it limits your ability to use a free night award.
- Alila Jabal Akhdar moves from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- Andaz Bali moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Andaz Costa Rica Penninsula Papagayo moves from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- Grand Hyatt Denver – a solid choice for downtown Denver with great Globalist benefits moves from a Category 3 to a Category 4
- Grand Hyatt Tokyo moves from a Category 6 to a Category 7
- Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport – my go to for early morning departing flights and late night arrivals into London moves from a Category 1 to a Category 2
- Hyatt Regency Coral Gables – a Miami favorite, I love this hotel, it’s older but walking distance to great restaurants and shopping, and fantastic Globalist treatment
- Hyatt Regency Lost Pines moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa and Marina – close to Sea World and downtown San Diego and a great hotel for families moves from a Category 3 to a Category 4
- Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego – moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Park Hyatt Istanbul moves from a Category 5 to a Category 6
- The Tribune, part of jdV by Hyatt moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- The Wellem Dusseldorf increases categories every year, moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
- Thompson Chicago moves from a Category 4 to a Category 5
If you’re planning a trip to Washington DC, most of the hotels are increasing in category. Several of the Hyatt all inclusive hotels are moving up a category.
What Happens If Your Hotel Goes Down a Category
If your hotel goes down a category and costs fewer Hyatt points, you’ll get a refund of the overage. The adjustment is automatic.
For example, you booked a weekend at the Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas in February 2025. Alila Marea is currently a Category 8 hotel at 40,000 points a night but reverting to a Category 7 hotel for 30,000 points.
The 10,000 points a night difference will get deposited into your account sometime after March 27, 2024.
Pro-tip: I tried this during the last category change but wasn’t a fan. Normally I cancel and rebook but decided to try the automated process. Despite assurances that the points were redeposited, my spreadsheet didn’t reconcile.
What if You Change a Reservation
If you change a reservation on or after March 26, 2024, the new award chart applies.
You’ll get a refund on the point difference if the hotel has moved down a category. But you’ll pay more points if the hotel has gone up a category.
What if You Change the Date on a Free Night Award
The new hotel category chart also applies to rooms booked using a free night award.
If you booked the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach for March 15, 2025, using a Category 1 to 4 Free Night award (FNA), but realize in April 2025 that you need to change the date to March 16, 2025. You’re out of luck.
Because the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach is moving to a Category 5 hotel, you won’t be able to rebook using your FNA. Instead, you’ll pay 20,000 points.
Conclusion
Start booking your Hyatt stays at the 137 hotels that increase in category before the new World of Hyatt award chart changes at 8 am on March 26, 2024.
I recommend focusing on the hotels where you won’t be able to use your free night award from your World of Hyatt credit card.
Which hotels are you looking forward to paying less points for?
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