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
Apr 20, 2026 | 9:19 pm
#496
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 4,320
Not sure if there's a perfect place for this post, but with the upcoming devaluation, OMAAT posted an article tonight about Hyatt's CEO's comments about how a program needs to provide experiences, not just a place for points. Guessing this is the "buttering up" for what's coming next. Probably category changes tomorrow and they'll lie to me about how it's for my benefit.
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hyat...iences-points/
https://onemileatatime.com/news/hyat...iences-points/
Apr 20, 2026 | 10:05 pm
#497
Moderator: Southwest Airlines, Capital One
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: California
Programs: WN A-list preferred, United Club Lietime (sic) Member
Posts: 22,876
Not sure if there's a perfect place for this post, but with the upcoming devaluation, OMAAT posted an article tonight about Hyatt's CEO's comments about how a program needs to provide experiences, not just a place for points. Guessing this is the "buttering up" for what's coming next.
Hyatt was lagging in the race to the bottom. Time to catch up.
Apr 21, 2026 | 1:45 pm
#498
Ambassador: World of Hyatt
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: San Diego,CA
Posts: 11,212
The jury isn’t out just how bad all this will play out so I’m not throwing the Hyatt baby out with the bath water just yet.
However I am cashing out about a half mil in WOH points to reduce some of that liability as it’s also not looking good.
The game has gotten tougher.
As a free agent trying new smaller hotel groups/ programs in Europe as well
Also ramping up bookings at The Edit by Chase and Citi Travel Hotel Collection while earning 12 miles per dollar.
Some fantastic value/benefits out there albeit somewhat limited.
Far more generous on average compared to most the hotel programs that have taken us for granted and expect us to take a beating and do business as usual.Corporate greed alive and well.🫠🤯💰
However I am cashing out about a half mil in WOH points to reduce some of that liability as it’s also not looking good.
The game has gotten tougher.
As a free agent trying new smaller hotel groups/ programs in Europe as well
Also ramping up bookings at The Edit by Chase and Citi Travel Hotel Collection while earning 12 miles per dollar.
Some fantastic value/benefits out there albeit somewhat limited.
Far more generous on average compared to most the hotel programs that have taken us for granted and expect us to take a beating and do business as usual.Corporate greed alive and well.🫠🤯💰
Apr 21, 2026 | 1:46 pm
#499
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH LTDiamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA MM LT1P
Posts: 21,205
Apr 21, 2026 | 4:46 pm
#500
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Northern California
Programs: I want to be free! Free!
Posts: 3,568
As a free agent trying new smaller hotel groups/ programs in Europe as well
Also ramping up bookings at The Edit by Chase and Citi Travel Hotel Collection while earning 12 miles per dollar.
Some fantastic value/benefits out there albeit somewhat limited.
Far more generous on average compared to most the hotel programs that have taken us for granted and expect us to take a beating and do business as usual.Corporate greed alive and well.🫠🤯💰
Also ramping up bookings at The Edit by Chase and Citi Travel Hotel Collection while earning 12 miles per dollar.
Some fantastic value/benefits out there albeit somewhat limited.
Far more generous on average compared to most the hotel programs that have taken us for granted and expect us to take a beating and do business as usual.Corporate greed alive and well.🫠🤯💰
Apr 21, 2026 | 5:09 pm
#501
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP; UA 1MM & PP; Marriott AMB; Hyatt Globalist; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 62,343
Many US properties give only $30 pp for breakfast on FHR rates. This seems to be the lowest AMEX will allow.
Apr 24, 2026 | 8:48 am
#502
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA Gold, HH Gold, National EE
Posts: 96
OMAAT is reporting that these changes are going into effect on May 20.
Theres now an update, as weve learned the new award pricing will apply for bookings as of May 20, 2026.
Editing to add link to properties changing categories: https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/e...t-updates.html
Theres now an update, as weve learned the new award pricing will apply for bookings as of May 20, 2026.
Editing to add link to properties changing categories: https://world.hyatt.com/content/gp/e...t-updates.html
Last edited by Zorak; Apr 24, 2026 at 10:33 am
Apr 24, 2026 | 9:42 am
#504
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: NJ
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Executive Platinum, UA Gold
Posts: 871
The below changes hurt for me.
HH Tokyo Shibuya 5-6 (wasn't that long ago it was at 4..but people are paying the cash prices apparently)
HP Kyoto 2-3 (might be worth paying cash now?)
Caption Osaka 2-3 (might be worth paying cash?)
HR Jersey City 4-5 (was great use of an FNC for staycation. Guess it was inevitable after the renovations)
Andaz 5th Ave 7-8 (back to the thompson I go..)
HH Tokyo Shibuya 5-6 (wasn't that long ago it was at 4..but people are paying the cash prices apparently)
HP Kyoto 2-3 (might be worth paying cash now?)
Caption Osaka 2-3 (might be worth paying cash?)
HR Jersey City 4-5 (was great use of an FNC for staycation. Guess it was inevitable after the renovations)
Andaz 5th Ave 7-8 (back to the thompson I go..)
Apr 24, 2026 | 9:45 am
#505
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,080
I picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue....
Too bad, but as a retired guy getting most of my points from credit cards, it will be hard to maintain the gusto to continue singular focus on Hyatt. The amount of cc spend to accrue one night on a Hyatt card gets me a room (maybe) that is now about the same caliber as spending that same amount on the Hilton card and staying at a comparable Hilton.
Too bad, but as a retired guy getting most of my points from credit cards, it will be hard to maintain the gusto to continue singular focus on Hyatt. The amount of cc spend to accrue one night on a Hyatt card gets me a room (maybe) that is now about the same caliber as spending that same amount on the Hilton card and staying at a comparable Hilton.
Apr 24, 2026 | 9:45 am
#506
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: IB Oro, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,923
Hyatt Regency Jersey City increasing from 4 to 5 hurts a bit, since that used to be a good value option for NYC - but I'm not surprised.
I'm a little surprised to see Grand Cypress going to Category 5. Maybe I'm just visiting at off-peak times (I'm not sure), but typically I've been paying low $200s/nt there and never seen a need to use points anyway.
I am very, very surprised there is going to be a Category 3 in London (HP London East).
In general, I am a little sad to see some of the "random" (like RDU Airport) Category 1s in the US moving up. Otherwise, overall I am not too perturbed by this and I have definitely seen worse.
I think the devil is in the details with the shift to the multi-tier system.
I'm a little surprised to see Grand Cypress going to Category 5. Maybe I'm just visiting at off-peak times (I'm not sure), but typically I've been paying low $200s/nt there and never seen a need to use points anyway.
I am very, very surprised there is going to be a Category 3 in London (HP London East).
In general, I am a little sad to see some of the "random" (like RDU Airport) Category 1s in the US moving up. Otherwise, overall I am not too perturbed by this and I have definitely seen worse.
I think the devil is in the details with the shift to the multi-tier system.
