Update 4/25/26: Changes will be published on 5/20. The changelog is now also available.
Hyatt has announced a ‘Careful program update…’ or in non-corporate marketing speak, major depreciation.
5 redemption levels per category
Currently the price is divided into 3 tiers per tier (off-peak, standard and peak). According to the new system it will be: Lower, Low, Moderate, Upper and High. They said a limited number of hotels and a limited number of nights will move into the high and high categories in 2026 with more to follow in later years. Some categories will have up to 40,000 points per night difference between the lowest and highest price. The old and new lists can be seen below:
Price changes every April
Hyatt is committed to making changes to the property category every April. But some properties are reclassifying immediately: “five hotels will move up one category (Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, Hyatt Centric Malta, Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort, Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center and Grand Hyatt Incheon), one hotel with a two-category change (Grand Hyatt & Spa Grand Cay opening in 2026) and one hotel will be moved down one category (The Barnett, which is part of the JdV by Hyatt brand)”
FAQ’s
What will happen to the free night certificates?
According to FM they will remain the same for now, for example you will still be able to use category 1-4 certificates from current credit card sign up bonus in all properties of category 1-4, even if it falls in the upper and upper part.
What will happen with updating certificates?
According to FM these will also remain the same
When do the changes appear?
Hyatt has said sometime in May, when pressed they said ‘sometime before the end of May’. I would bank on May 1st and then it’s a happy accident if it happens later in the month.
Our verdict
This is a huge discount with the standard price increasing by 20%-37.5% and much more wiggle room for properties without having to change category. It honestly looks like they want to stick with their commitment to having price tables, but also have the ability to still do dynamic pricing.
