Apr 24, 2026, 6:36 pm
Last edit by: jbeckett
Hotel category change list
https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/e...-updates.html
https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/e...-updates.html
World of Hyatt award chart structure and category changes for 2026
Mar 24, 2026 | 5:50 am
#406
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: AA EXP & AAirpass, Hyatt Courtesy Card, SPG Platinum
Posts: 1,002
I think we are starting to go a little off topic here. Anyway, my sense is that almost all airline benefits can be bought with a business/first class ticket. Elites used to be taken care of better with elite desks etc., but all of that has been watered down. Its quite transactional now with credit card spend weighing heavily. At least in the US.
With hotels the differentiator can be relationships with individual hotels, which meaningfully increase status benefits in a way money cant buy. And they arent subject to annual requalification.
With hotels the differentiator can be relationships with individual hotels, which meaningfully increase status benefits in a way money cant buy. And they arent subject to annual requalification.
There are two main differences between airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Airline programs usually do not let award flights count toward status, while hotel programs generally do. So in hotels, it often makes little difference to your status whether you stay on a paid rate or on points. With airlines, the distinction between paid flights and award flights is far more important. An award-focused flight strategy therefore usually means less status, or lower status, over time.
And hotel programs are, in large part, about saving money. Most perks can ultimately be bought. Top-tier airline status is a different animal altogether. It materially changes the travel experience, and many of its most important benefits are hard to buy with money alone.
Airline programs usually do not let award flights count toward status, while hotel programs generally do. So in hotels, it often makes little difference to your status whether you stay on a paid rate or on points. With airlines, the distinction between paid flights and award flights is far more important. An award-focused flight strategy therefore usually means less status, or lower status, over time.
And hotel programs are, in large part, about saving money. Most perks can ultimately be bought. Top-tier airline status is a different animal altogether. It materially changes the travel experience, and many of its most important benefits are hard to buy with money alone.
Mar 24, 2026 | 10:29 am
#407
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Hilton HHonors Diamond
Posts: 1,351
Was anyone like me using the Chase Sapphire Reserve for all dining to get 3x to then transfer to Hyatt?
Because now I need a new dining charges plan. I guess I could get an Amex Gold and get 4x over there and then use them at 1.5c for bookings since I also have a Biz Plat. So 6c/$ with some hoops and fees.
Or I could just use my 4% US Bank Smartly.
Hyatt's changes are making me rethink a decent portion of my credit card strategy.
Because now I need a new dining charges plan. I guess I could get an Amex Gold and get 4x over there and then use them at 1.5c for bookings since I also have a Biz Plat. So 6c/$ with some hoops and fees.
Or I could just use my 4% US Bank Smartly.
Hyatt's changes are making me rethink a decent portion of my credit card strategy.
Mar 25, 2026 | 4:24 am
#408
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS Plat, AA EP, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Dia, Hyatt Glob, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 21,527
I was. Moved to Citi Strata Premier this month and going in on that ecosystem now. It's 3x on dining, and will transfer to AA. I routinely get 2.6-3 cpm on AA luckily. I am coupling the Strata with a citi double cash. It is sort of mirroring my Sapphire and freedom flex/unlimited setup.
Mar 26, 2026 | 2:47 pm
#409
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SEA, PAE, BLI
Programs: WN A-List Preferred, AS, DL Kryptonium
Posts: 1,677
Was anyone like me using the Chase Sapphire Reserve for all dining to get 3x to then transfer to Hyatt?
Because now I need a new dining charges plan. I guess I could get an Amex Gold and get 4x over there and then use them at 1.5c for bookings since I also have a Biz Plat. So 6c/$ with some hoops and fees.
Or I could just use my 4% US Bank Smartly.
Hyatt's changes are making me rethink a decent portion of my credit card strategy.
Because now I need a new dining charges plan. I guess I could get an Amex Gold and get 4x over there and then use them at 1.5c for bookings since I also have a Biz Plat. So 6c/$ with some hoops and fees.
Or I could just use my 4% US Bank Smartly.
Hyatt's changes are making me rethink a decent portion of my credit card strategy.
If you have a lot of international transactions, the Atmos Rewards Summit card might be tempting.
Mar 28, 2026 | 9:41 pm
#410
Join Date: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,520
Hotel award nights are available more often than not. With flight awards, you must either be retired/unemployed or willing to pay SkyPesos prices (where every seat is bookable with miles, but it may be 1m miles in certain cases)
Last edited by ffgap; Mar 29, 2026 at 6:39 am
Mar 29, 2026 | 5:56 am
#411
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,629
I was. Moved to Citi Strata Premier this month and going in on that ecosystem now. It's 3x on dining, and will transfer to AA. I routinely get 2.6-3 cpm on AA luckily. I am coupling the Strata with a citi double cash. It is sort of mirroring my Sapphire and freedom flex/unlimited setup.
Mar 29, 2026 | 11:58 am
#412
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,059
Just be ready for the imminent deval for AA which is inevitable now with the Citi transfer. But alas, we are getting off course here...one terrible dumpster fire of a program being destroyed down to the ashes at a time...
Mar 29, 2026 | 3:42 pm
#413
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 11,212
Mar 29, 2026 | 5:08 pm
#414
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: HH: Diamond,, UA: 1k, Longterm member mostly only post when I have something new to ask/say
Posts: 183
In reference to what they will call the new tier above Globalist....
I bet if we go back to the "GP is toast" days, we would find a whole bunch of suggestions we were all making then, after deriding "Globalist" etc - I remember thinking it wouldn't last, but it has....
I bet if we go back to the "GP is toast" days, we would find a whole bunch of suggestions we were all making then, after deriding "Globalist" etc - I remember thinking it wouldn't last, but it has....
Mar 29, 2026 | 6:09 pm
#415
Join Date: May 1998
Location: IAD, DCA
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,629
Anyway, I still love Hyatt and am there until its completely borked.
Mar 29, 2026 | 6:45 pm
#416
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,994
The reason why I'll stay hooked to hotels is ease of redemption. I can never seen to use points for airflights when I need them. It's always at an inconvenient time. I've redeemed a few times and only 1-2 times were convenient for me.
Like I'm trying to use points to get a ticket this week from Bangkok to Shanghai on Cathay. No availability from Wednesday to Monday on economy, premier or business. Not one ticket. So what's the point
I really hope Hyatt doesn't destroy globalist. I'm trying to burn up my 800,000 points. I'm down to 740,000 but keep earning more 😅
I just hope they don't do a spend requirements though understand if they do. It's just hard to hit 23,000 threshold even when staying in park Hyatts in asia
Like I'm trying to use points to get a ticket this week from Bangkok to Shanghai on Cathay. No availability from Wednesday to Monday on economy, premier or business. Not one ticket. So what's the point
I really hope Hyatt doesn't destroy globalist. I'm trying to burn up my 800,000 points. I'm down to 740,000 but keep earning more 😅
I just hope they don't do a spend requirements though understand if they do. It's just hard to hit 23,000 threshold even when staying in park Hyatts in asia
Last edited by SHLTP; Mar 29, 2026 at 7:04 pm
Mar 29, 2026 | 6:49 pm
#417
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,059
Point is, I guess I'm not the kind of customer they want so they won't miss my money, but I find it hard to believe that pushing a customer out who has spent that kind of money is smart business, but what do I know.
Mar 29, 2026 | 8:25 pm
#418
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,549
I try to burn them as soon as I earn them. This year, I have made 25 bookings so far, and 10 of them are WoH award stays.
Mar 29, 2026 | 8:32 pm
#419
Join Date: Jan 2025
Programs: DL DM, Bonvoy LTP
Posts: 206
That's my attitude as well. It's painfully obvious that devaluation are going to keep coming for every program.
Mar 29, 2026 | 8:55 pm
#420
Join Date: Jan 2017
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,994
That is one of the big advantages of top-tier airline status. In my experience, I have always been able to get up to four award tickets when I asked for them. Some conditions do apply: it is limited to within 14 days of departure, it does not apply to First Class, it does not cover every group airline, and there still has to be paid availability in the relevant class
Hoarding points is a problem with every loyalty program. Conditions rarely get better.
I try to burn them as soon as I earn them. This year, I have made 25 bookings so far, and 10 of them are WoH award stays.
Hoarding points is a problem with every loyalty program. Conditions rarely get better.
I try to burn them as soon as I earn them. This year, I have made 25 bookings so far, and 10 of them are WoH award stays.
That was one of my complaints with Hyatt for last couple yrs. Because of guest of honor, irs been here to use TSUs and points.