IBC is a huge show held annually in Amsterdam in September. 2026 dates are Sept 11-14. I'm not surprised at the lack of award space.

https://show.ibc.org/

Do properties get reimbursed more from Hyatt when the points cost increases?

Thanks for the heads up. That's exactly the weekend that I was targeting.

Yes, this is quite noticeable at higher end "aspirational" properties like PHP and PHK, and also at "good value redemptions" like GH Taipei (Cat 3), GH Macau (Cat 4) and PH Saigon (Cat 5). I don't know to what extent this is attributable to properties (or Hyatt) playing games. It's certainly possible that people are trying to salvage their points and there has been a massive spike in bookings. Although IMO for some of these hotels the lack of availability occured rather abruptly, immediately after the announcement.

Don't underestimate how many people are in the points game now. The entire rationale across all blogs and Tiktok selling these cards are redemptions at these places. Given how fast news gets disseminated and how many people are following, I would be surprised that availability are locked up by people with points instantly. Many people may not be able to travel on those speculative dates, but I suspect they probably won't cancel before the new award chart.

My understanding is properties get reimbursed based on their occupancy that night. of the points stay. Once occupancy hits a certain threshold of rooms booked to total rooms, the reimbursement rate goes up. I don't know how often they set that rate for each property though(yearly, quarterly, etc).

I don't know (so asking), how points rates are set? Are they set by Hyatt, or do hotels have flexibility to adjust? It seems in the new system, Hyatt will be setting the points rates?

I agree with this. Too many people are involved now and it has made me rethink my strategy.

No, this happened the moment the announcement was made. My speculation is the nights that are no longer available are going to be the higher tiers.

GH Macau has no standard room available for the whole 2026 thru the end of schedule, long before the announcement. I know because I have been checking it since last Nov for stay in April. NEVER see anything below 18K standard room with club access. Oh, their suites if not specified, has NO club access. I verified this with the property.

GH Pudong briefly see 12K but they disappeared quickly now with 17K to 21K standard room with club access. Other than the location this property is rather outdated from what the reviews on Trip.com said.

Hong Kong is yet another ridiculously devaluated locale.

I have seen properties in large cities worldwide / national park locations in US, ALL see their redemption go up A Lot long before the announcement.

Everything is more expensive. I find it helpful to view loyalty programs through that lens rather than treating any particular program devaluation as some sort of personal affront.
That is a not uncommon game some properties play, but 365 days a year is a bit over the top.

"Ridiculously devaluated" seems a bit hyperbolic. HR TST remains a decent (even at Cat 5), and there are still two properties Cat 4 or lower (Centric and Sha Tin). Even GH (personally, I don't like the location) is still only a Cat 6.

Personally I dont feel HR TST worth that level, nor the Sha Tin Chinese U location. For the former the recently available IHG's Kimpton is better.
For the latter the Bonvoy's CY is far better for both the location (the nearby metro location has close to 2 doz eateries just around the station, not to mention a bit further walking distance, plus the bus stops right in front of the hotel / across street from the hotel offers extremely convenient public transportation comparing to the Hyatt Sha Tin location), plus their amenity with improved club and large buffet breakfast, plus superior customer service during hurricane time to accommodate its guests - they actually bring in foam boxes for all guests who have lounge access to get foods from the lounge as there would be no way to have enough seating even opening up the overflow conference room etc, not to mention they made sure enough foods to meet the needs.

Anyone else kind of expecting a generous promotion after the new program launches to soften the blow a bit?

Hoping that's the case, as it's the only thing that would drive my business back to Hyatt right now...unless when the program changes it's not nearly as bad as anticipated (I fear it will be).

It isn't better anywhere else, I'm afraid. I just came over from Marriott after getting BONV°Y'ed one too many times.

Not really, it's absolute peak travel season in Hyatt's primary market (US summer) so you're just basically giving money away to people who will already be in your hotels regardless of any promotion.

The most likely times from promos are fall/winter when occupancy is low (you want to drive marginal business to your hotel when it's half-empty).

Nope.

Regards