Even with the upcoming class modifications, there’s nonetheless loads of worth in World of Hyatt factors
It is changing into an annual custom. Every February or March, World of Hyatt pronounces its annual class modifications a couple of month earlier than implementing them. As quickly as Hyatt releases the checklist of class modifications, loyalists — myself included — rigorously look at the checklist to see if properties we love or hope to finally go to will quickly require extra or fewer factors for a keep.
Annually, 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 not less than one which I’ve loved staying at that is getting cheaper, which additionally makes it a little bit 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 via the checklist to search out interesting properties that can 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.
Hyatt nonetheless has an award chart
Over time, many loyalty applications have moved to dynamic award pricing. Dynamic award pricing is not inherently dangerous, nevertheless it normally results in this system’s factors or miles finally reducing in worth. And it nearly all the time makes getting outsize worth out of your rewards tougher.
The good news is that Hyatt did not determine 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 applications with bigger footprints.
Since World of Hyatt makes use of an award chart, you possibly can predict how a lot you will have to redeem for upcoming stays. Plus, having an award chart means you possibly can typically escape peak pricing throughout occasions or excessive season.
Associated: Your information 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 much more off-peak award nights than peak award nights. The distinction between off-peak and peak award charges can also be minimal: simply 3,000 factors for Hyatt Class 1 properties, 6,000 factors for Hyatt Class 4 properties and 10,000 factors for Hyatt Class 7 properties. Even when you contemplate that Hyatt factors are price far more than most different resort factors, this can be a much less important distinction than you will discover in most different resort loyalty applications.
Nonetheless, I count on we’ll proceed to see Hyatt convey 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 will choose to earn Hyatt factors as a substitute of redeeming them.
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Associated: Ought to I get the World of Hyatt Credit score Card or switch factors from Chase as a substitute?
Hyatt’s annual award class replace is cheap
Let’s be sincere: It is affordable for World of Hyatt to replace the award class for a few of its properties yearly.
Certain, it has been unhappy to see some properties slowly climb in class every year. 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 day by day charges and different components shift for a property, it is solely affordable for its class to shift.
I additionally admire how Hyatt handles its annual class modifications, particularly as many different loyalty applications make no-notice devaluations. Hyatt normally pronounces its deliberate class modifications a couple of month earlier than they go into impact, so members have ample time to accrue Hyatt factors and e book 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 e book and once you keep.
Briefly, if we wish the World of Hyatt program to take care of its award charts, we should settle for that properties will generally change classes. Hyatt pronounces and handles these class modifications in the very best approach, which I admire.
Associated: 5 methods to e book Hyatt award stays with out sufficient factors in your account
Hyatt factors are nonetheless extraordinarily invaluable
Three properties I’ve redeemed Hyatt factors at throughout the final yr will improve in class on March 25: Lindner Resort Prague Fortress, Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin and Hyatt Place Frankfurt Airport. Curiously, none of those properties gave me an above-average redemption charge once I stayed.
For instance, this February, I redeemed 40,000 factors for an eight-night keep at Lindner Resort Prague Fortress that might have in any other case price $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 each one of my highest redemption charges throughout the final yr had been at properties that are not altering in class on March 25, such because the Lindner Resort Cologne Am Dom, Hyatt Place Austin Airport, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa and Hyatt Place Dallas / Las Colinas. And I’ve booked some wonderful redemptions for later this yr in South Africa and Sweden that can give me greater than 5 cents per Hyatt level.
So, though chances are you’ll discover these class modifications lower your redemption charge at some properties, I believe you will nonetheless get good redemption charges general. That is significantly true in the event you’re prepared to often e book paid charges at World of Hyatt properties or use one other program for some stays. I nonetheless see World of Hyatt as among the finest Chase Final Rewards switch companions. And I believe I will finally switch my Bilt Rewards Factors to World of Hyatt — particularly if we ever see a Hyatt switch bonus on a Bilt Hire Day.
Associated: 5 simple methods to maximise Hyatt award redemptions
Backside line
One yr, a TPG staffer proclaimed that his Hyatt free-night certificates felt almost nugatory after the annual class change announcement. He is actually allowed to really feel this manner, 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 time certificates.
Get your award bookings in by March 25 on the present charges for any properties which might be leaping a class. But additionally 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 would possibly improve in class. This yr looks like a good time to go to, as they may go up in class subsequent yr.
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