World of Hyatt Category Changes: New 2026 Award Chart
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The World of Hyatt program is fundamentally changing its point redemption chart effective May 20, 2026. The World of Hyatt category change affects both the pricing structure (from 3 to 5 levels) and the classification of 136 hotels, including three properties in Canada. In practice, the most sought-after nights will cost significantly more in points, while floor rates will decrease slightly.
Here is everything you need to know to adapt your point redemption strategy before the deadline. For a reminder of previous announcements, see our article on the major World of Hyatt devaluation planned for 2026.
What changes on May 20, 2026
Until now, World of Hyatt used three point pricing levels: Off-Peak, Standard, and Peak. Starting May 20, 2026, these three levels will disappear in favor of five new tiers:
- Lowest: the lowest rate, applicable to nights with very low demand
- Low: reduced rate for quiet periods
- Moderate: the new « standard, » often higher than the old Standard rate
- Upper: increased rate for high-demand dates
- Top: maximum rate, reserved for the most in-demand nights
The eight hotel categories (1 to 8) and the six all-inclusive resort categories (A to F) remain unchanged. It is the price gap within each category that is widening considerably.
New Award Chart — Hotels
The table below shows the point rates per night for a standard room according to the five new levels. Compare these figures with the current chart to measure the extent of the increase.
| Category | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 000 | 4 500 | 6 000 | 7 500 | 9 000 |
| 2 | 6 000 | 7 500 | 10 000 | 12 000 | 15 000 |
| 3 | 8 000 | 12 000 | 15 000 | 17 500 | 20 000 |
| 4 | 12 000 | 15 000 | 20 000 | 22 500 | 25 000 |
| 5 | 15 000 | 20 000 | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 |
| 6 | 20 000 | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 | 40 000 |
| 7 | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 | 45 000 | 55 000 |
| 8 | 35 000 | 45 000 | 55 000 | 65 000 | 75 000 |
Comparison with the current chart
To fully understand the impact of the World of Hyatt category change, here is a comparison of the old and new floor and ceiling rates for several key categories.
| Category | Old floor (Off-Peak) | New floor (Lowest) | Old ceiling (Peak) | New ceiling (Top) | Ceiling increase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 500 | 3 000 | 6 500 | 9 000 | +38 % |
| 4 | 12 000 | 12 000 | 18 000 | 25 000 | +39 % |
| 7 | 20 000 | 25 000 | 35 000 | 55 000 | +57 % |
| 8 | 35 000 | 35 000 | 45 000 | 75 000 | +67 % |
The Moderate level, which roughly replaces the old Standard, shows an average increase of about 25%. For example, a night in Category 4 goes from 15,000 to 20,000 points at the Moderate level, and a night in Category 8 goes from 40,000 to 55,000 points.
All-Inclusive Resort Chart
Hyatt’s all-inclusive resorts (Inclusive Collection) retain their six categories (A to F) but also adopt the five pricing levels. The increases at the top are substantial.
| Category | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 12 000 | 15 000 | 20 000 | 22 500 | 25 000 |
| B | 15 000 | 20 000 | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 |
| C | 20 000 | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 | 40 000 |
| D | 25 000 | 30 000 | 35 000 | 45 000 | 55 000 |
| E | 35 000 | 45 000 | 55 000 | 65 000 | 75 000 |
| F | 45 000 | 55 000 | 65 000 | 75 000 | 85 000 |
In Category F, the ceiling increases from 58,000 points (old Peak) to 85,000 points (Top), an increase of approximately 47%. Travelers planning a high-end all-inclusive stay during peak season are the most affected.
Miraval Resorts Chart
Miraval wellness resorts are also moving to five levels. The Moderate level for a standard room with double occupancy reaches 70,000 points, compared to 65,000 previously. Nights at the Top level cost 23,000 to 25,000 points more than the old Peak rate, depending on the room type.
| Room Type | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard — Single Occ. simple | 40 000 | 45 000 | 50 000 | 60 000 | 75 000 |
| Standard — Double Occ. | 60 000 | 65 000 | 70 000 | 80 000 | 95 000 |
| Standard Suite — Occ. simple | 65 000 | 75 000 | 85 000 | 95 000 | 110 000 |
| Standard Suite — Double Occ. | 85 000 | 95 000 | 105 000 | 115 000 | 130 000 |
| Premium Suite — Single Occ. simple | 95 000 | 105 000 | 115 000 | 125 000 | 140 000 |
| Premium Suite — Double Occ. | 115 000 | 125 000 | 135 000 | 145 000 | 160 000 |
Impact in Canada: 3 Hotels Affected
The World of Hyatt category change directly affects three Canadian hotels. All three are moving from Category 1 to Category 2, which changes their price range from 3,500–6,500 points to 3,000–15,000 points per night under the new chart.
| Hotel | City / Province | Current Category | New Category | Old Rate (Off-Peak — Peak) | New Rate (Lowest — Top) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyatt Place Edmonton-West | Edmonton, AB | 1 | 2 | 3,500 – 6,500 | 6,000 – 15,000 |
| Hyatt Place Windsor | Windsor, ON | 1 | 2 | 3,500 – 6,500 | 6,000 – 15,000 |
| Hyatt Place Moncton / Downtown | Moncton, NB | 1 | 2 | 3,500 – 6,500 | 6,000 – 15,000 |
As of May 2026, the floor rate for these three hotels increases from 3,500 to 6,000 points (+71%), and the ceiling increases from 6,500 to 15,000 points (+131%). If you are planning a stay at one of these establishments, book before May 20 to benefit from the old chart.
Notable International Changes
In total, 136 hotels are changing categories: 112 are moving up and 24 are moving down. Here are the most significant movements for Canadian travelers.
Hotels Moving Up
| Hotel | Old Category | New Category |
|---|---|---|
| Andaz 5th Avenue, New York | 7 | 8 |
| The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel, New York | 6 | 7 |
| Hyatt Regency Seattle | 4 | 5 |
| Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort, Orlando | 4 | 5 |
| Hyatt Regency New Orleans | 3 | 4 |
| Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya | 5 | 6 |
| Hôtel du Louvre, Paris | 7 | 8 |
| Park Hyatt London River Thames | 7 | 8 |
| Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino | 7 | 8 |
| Alila Mayakoba, Mexico | 6 | 7 |
Hotels Moving Down
| Hotel | Old Category | New Category |
|---|---|---|
| Andaz West Hollywood | 6 | 5 |
| Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica | 6 | 5 |
| Dream Nashville | 5 | 4 |
| Hyatt Place Memphis/Wolfchase Galleria | 2 | 1 |
| Hyatt Centric Congress Avenue Austin | 5 | 4 |
| Grand Hyatt The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia | 7 | 6 |
| Park Hyatt Sanya Sunny Bay Resort, China | 7 | 6 |
Good news for hotels moving down: Hyatt automatically refunds the difference in points for existing reservations.
Impact on Free Night Awards
Category 1-4 and Category 1-7 Free Night Awards are not directly affected by the five new pricing levels. As long as a standard room is available and the hotel remains within the category range of the certificate, it works as before.
However, a trap remains: if a hotel moves up a category, your certificate may no longer cover that establishment. For example, a hotel moving from Category 4 to Category 5 falls outside the scope of a Category 1-4 certificate. Therefore, keep an eye on World of Hyatt category changes for your favorite hotels.
Points + Cash: Same Expansion
The Points + Cash option is also moving to five levels. It combines 50% of the points required for a free night and a 50% to 70% discount on the standard paid rate. Here is the chart for hotels in a standard room.
| Category | Lowest | Low | Moderate | Upper | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 500 | 2 250 | 3 000 | 3 750 | 4 500 |
| 2 | 3 000 | 3 750 | 5 000 | 6 000 | 7 500 |
| 3 | 4 000 | 6 000 | 7 500 | 8 750 | 10 000 |
| 4 | 6 000 | 7 500 | 10 000 | 11 250 | 12 500 |
| 5 | 7 500 | 10 000 | 12 500 | 15 000 | 17 500 |
| 6 | 10 000 | 12 500 | 15 000 | 17 500 | 20 000 |
| 7 | 12 500 | 15 000 | 17 500 | 22 500 | 27 500 |
| 8 | 17 500 | 22 500 | 27 500 | 32 500 | 37 500 |
Member Improvements
To accompany these increases, Hyatt has announced two new features planned for later in 2026.
Digital Point Sharing
Currently, sharing World of Hyatt points requires a paper form signed by both members. Hyatt promises a digital tool that will simplify point transfers between accounts. This is a welcome improvement for couples and families who accumulate balances in multiple accounts.
Early Access to Point Nights
Explorist, Globalist, Lifetime Globalist members, and World of Hyatt credit cardholders will get priority access to point night availability. Hyatt has not yet specified the lead time or exact terms. The idea remains promising, especially for high-demand hotels, but we will have to wait for the details to evaluate the real scope of this benefit.
What You Should Do Now
If you accumulate World of Hyatt points or have transferable points, here are three concrete actions to consider before May 20, 2026.
- Book now: Any reservation made before May 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM (Eastern Time) will be honored at the old rate. Now is the time to lock in your stays at hotels moving up a category, especially in Categories 7 and 8 where the difference can reach 30,000 points per night.
- Re-evaluate your transfers: Before transferring a large balance of flexible points to World of Hyatt, calculate whether the exchange remains advantageous under the new chart. Transfer only what you need in the short term.
- Monitor the use of Upper and Top levels: Hyatt promises a gradual rollout of the two most expensive levels. If you find that your favorite hotels regularly display Upper or Top rates, re-evaluate World of Hyatt’s place in your program portfolio.
It is also a good time to take advantage of World of Hyatt point purchase promotions if you have a specific stay in mind. Buying points now and booking before May 20 allows you to lock in the old rate.
To see where these points still hold their value despite the increase, check out our guide to the best World of Hyatt sweet spots for your points.
Conclusion
The World of Hyatt category change marks a turning point for the program. Hyatt is keeping its published award chart, which remains an advantage compared to fully dynamic programs. However, the gap between the lowest and highest rates is widening considerably: up to a 67% increase at the ceiling in Category 8.
In Canada, the three affected Hyatt Place hotels (Edmonton, Windsor, Moncton) are moving to Category 2 with a ceiling that can reach 15,000 points per night. This is a reminder that even « entry-level » establishments are not spared.
To stay informed about this type of change and optimize your points, sign up for our newsletter. Also, check out our selection of the best credit cards in Canada
To see how World of Hyatt stacks up against Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors and the other major hotel programs after this increase, check out our 2026 hotel loyalty program comparison.
