These changes are… not small.

World of Hyatt has officially announced a major overhaul to its award chart — and it’s one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in years.

If you use Hyatt points (or were planning to), you’ll want to understand what’s happening in May, 2026.

Because once these changes go live, some properties could cost significantly more points per night.

Let’s try to break it down simply, shall we?

How Hyatt Currently Prices Award Nights (Prior to May, 2026)

Right now, Hyatt hotels fall into 8 award categories.

Within each category, there are three pricing tiers:

• Off-Peak
• Standard
• Peak

That system has been relatively predictable — and one of the reasons Hyatt points have consistently been so valuable.

Prices can be as low as 3,500 points for an off-peak category 1 hotel and top out at 45,000 points for a category 8 hotel at peak time.

What’s Changing in May 2026

Hyatt is adding two additional pricing tiers, expanding beyond the off peak, standard, and peak pricing.

The new pricing tiers are: Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top.

That alone increases the ceiling.

But here’s what really matters:

Within a single category, the swing between off-peak and peak pricing could now be as much as 40,000 points per night.

Forty. Thousand. Points.

That’s not a minor adjustment — that’s the difference between:

• One free night
• Or almost an entire vacation’s worth of points

This dramatically increases pricing variability, especially at higher-end properties.

Take a look at the new Hyatt award chart:

World of Hyatt Category	Lowest	Low	Moderate	Upper	Top
1	3,000	4,500	6,000	7,500	9,000
2	6,000	7,500	10,000	12,000	15,000
3	8,000	12,000	15,000	17,500	20,000
4	12,000	15,000	20,000	22,500	25,000
5	15,000	20,000	25,000	30,000	35,000
6	20,000	25,000	30,000	35,000	40,000
7	25,000	30,000	35,000	45,000	55,000
8	35,000	45,000	55,000	65,000	75,000

Why This Is a Big Deal

Hyatt has long had one of the most reasonable and predictable award charts in the hotel world.

That predictability is changing.

While there will still be value (there always is), this update:

• Raises the ceiling on luxury redemptions
• Increases volatility within categories
• Makes timing even more important

If you’ve been sitting on Hyatt points waiting for “someday,” this is your nudge.

Category Changes

A handful of hotels changed categories with no notice. It sounds as though there may be additional category changes in April, prior to the May award chart changes. But all we can do is wait at this point.

Here’s what changed now:

• Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach: Category 4 → Category 5
• Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa (opening 2026): Category 6 → Category 8
• Grand Hyatt Incheon: Category 3 → Category 4
• Hyatt Centric Malta: Category 2 → Category 3
• Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort: Category 4 → Category 5
• Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center: Category 1 → Category 2
• The Barnett: Category 5 → Category 4

What Should You Do Now?

Book Future Travel Before May 2026

If you already know you’ll travel:

• Fall break
• Spring break
• Summer 2026
• Any fixed school holiday

Book it before the new chart goes live.

Hyatt still allows bookings 12 months out — and now there’s an added twist…

Cardholders & Elites Get 13-Month Access

Cardholders and World of Hyatt Explorists and Globalists will get early access to booking 13 months out. General members will only be able to book 12 months in advance. Hyatt plans to release more information on this in coming months.

That extra month could matter for:

• High-demand family travel dates
• Popular beach resorts
• Park Hyatt properties

Early booking is about to become even more valuable.

Free Night Certificates Just Got More Important

Now here’s an interesting twist on everything:

Free night certificates are not changing under this overhaul. Check out some of my very favorite uses of Category 1-4 Certificates!

This means:

• Category 1–4 certificates still work the same way
• Annual free night certificates retain their value
• Fixed-value nights become even more powerful when points pricing floats higher

This is why the annual certificate from the World of Hyatt Credit Card is arguably more valuable now than before.

Imagine wanting to use your Category 1-4 Certificate over spring break at the popular Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress with your family. The new maximum award price is a whopping 25,000 points per night during peak times. Your Category 1-4 Certificate just saved you a boatload of points.

Diversify Your Hotel Points

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again:

Do not build your entire strategy around one program.

Hyatt will likely still have an edge in many situations — but diversification protects you when charts shift (and they always do).

That might mean:

• Earning flexible points
• Adding in another hotel currency
• Or balancing where you direct your spend

Sweet spots change. Strategy adapts. We still travel for steeply discounted.

Digital Point Sharing Is Coming

One bright spot (kinda?): Hyatt announced that digital point sharing is coming. For as long as we can remember, combining points with other World of Hyatt members has meant filling out a paper form and emailing or faxing it to Hyatt. This meant transferring points could take several days to accomplish.

We’re still waiting on all the details, but this could make family pooling, strategic redemptions and household transfers much easier to complete.

My Honest Take

This one hurts.

Hyatt has been a favorite for families because of predictable pricing and great value at mid-tier properties.

This overhaul reduces predictability.

But here’s what I truly believe:

Sweet spots don’t disappear — they shift. New ones will emerge. Different properties will become stronger value. Timing will matter more.

And I’ll be here tracking all of it – so you don’t have to. It’s going to be fine. Even if it feels a little more dramatic today.

xo – Amber