World of Hyatt Program: Award Chart Changes in May 2026
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World of Hyatt will introduce a devaluation of its program in May 2026, with increases of up to 67% for certain hotel nights. Category 8 hotels will now cost up to 75,000 points per night, compared to 45,000 points currently at peak season rates.
This complete overhaul of the award chart represents the first major structural change since 2021. Hyatt is moving from a three-tier pricing system (off-peak, standard, peak) to five tiers (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper and Top), creating price variations of up to 40,000 points per night within the same category.
How much will Hyatt hotel nights cost starting May 2026?
Prices will vary considerably based on demand, with average increases of 25% to 37.5% compared to current rates. Here is the new award chart compared to the old one:
| Category | Current Price (points/night) | New Price May 2026 (points/night) | Maximum Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 | 3 500 – 6 500 | 3 000 – 9 000 | +38% |
| Category 2 | 6 500 – 9 500 | 6 000 – 15 000 | +58% |
| Category 3 | 9 000 – 15 000 | 8 000 – 20 000 | +33% |
| Category 4 | 12 000 – 18 000 | 12 000 – 25 000 | +39% |
| Category 5 | 17 000 – 23 000 | 15 000 – 35 000 | +52% |
| Category 6 | 21 000 – 29 000 | 20 000 – 40 000 | +38% |
| Category 7 | 25 000 – 35 000 | 25 000 – 55 000 | +57% |
| Category 8 | 35 000 – 45 000 | 35 000 – 75 000 | +67% |
There are also award charts for the new rates for:
- All-inclusive resorts
- Miraval resorts
- Points + Cash rates
Find all the award charts of the new World of Hyatt rates here, and compare them with the old World of Hyatt award charts available here.
Which Hyatt hotels will be most affected by this devaluation?
High-end hotels in popular destinations will be most impacted. The Park Hyatt Kyoto, Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, and Andaz Costa Rica could reach 75,000 points per night during high-demand periods. Properties located in year-round markets like Hawaii are likely to be priced at the Upper and Top levels almost permanently.
Hyatt imposes no limit on the number of nights that can be priced at the Top level and does not guarantee a minimum number of nights at the Lowest rate. This flexibility will allow hotels to adjust their prices based on demand, essentially creating a disguised dynamic pricing system.
How will World of Hyatt free night certificates be affected?
Good news: free night certificates (available with U.S. credit cards or for those who achieve Elite status) will retain their current value. Category 1-4 and Category 1-7 certificates will remain valid in their respective categories, even at the new Top rates. This potentially increases their value by up to 25,000 points for a Category 1-4 certificate and 55,000 points for a Category 1-7 certificate.
Suite upgrades will also remain valid under the same conditions as currently, as long as a standard suite is available.
What are the benefits of these changes for World of Hyatt members?
Benefits
- Maintaining a published award chart (unlike Marriott and Hilton)
- Reduction in minimum prices for certain categories (14% decrease for Category 1)
- 13-month advance booking access for Explorist+ elites and cardholders
- Introduction of digital point sharing in 2026
- Free night certificates unaffected
Cons
- Increases of up to 67% in maximum prices
- No guarantee of nights at the Lowest rate
- Increased complexity with 5 price levels vs. 3 currently
- Variation of up to 40,000 points within the same category
- Particularly severe impact on all-inclusive properties (up to 152,000 points/night for a family of 4)
When exactly will these changes take effect?
The changes will apply to reservations made starting May 2026 (exact date to be confirmed). Here is the complete timeline:
- Immediately: 7 hotels change categories without notice
- April 2026: Regular annual category changes
- May 2026: New 5-tier award chart
- In 2026: Introduction of digital point sharing and advance access for elites
How to maximize your World of Hyatt points before the devaluation?
Book your future stays immediately at current rates. Reservations made before May 2026 will retain their original price, even for stays after that date. Focus particularly on:
- Category 7 and 8 properties during high-demand periods
- All-inclusive resorts that will see increases of up to 67%
- Miraval properties where increases will reach 25,000 points per night
- Popular destinations like Hawaii, New York, and ski resorts
World of Hyatt vs. Marriott Bonvoy
Despite this devaluation, World of Hyatt points retain superior value. With a value of 2.4 cents CAD per Hyatt point versus 0.9 cents for Marriott, a Category 5 stay will cost the equivalent of $360 to $840 CAD in Hyatt points, compared to smaller variations at Marriott despite their dynamic pricing.
| Program | Average Value/Point | Price Variation | Transparency |
|---|---|---|---|
| World of Hyatt | 2.4¢ CAD | Up to 40,000 points/night | Published chart |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 0.9¢ CAD | ~20,000 points/night | Fully dynamic |
| Hilton Honors | 0.7¢ CAD | Variable | Fully dynamic |
That said, as we demonstrate in our article Our Best Marriott Bonvoy Point Redemptions, it is often possible to achieve value well beyond 0.9 cents for Marriott Bonvoy hotels. For Canadians, it is easier to accumulate Marriott Bonvoy points quickly thanks to numerous earning opportunities with credit cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy® American Express®* Card
- Carte Marriott BonvoyMD Entreprise American ExpressMD*
- American Express Membership Rewards cards that can be transferred to Marriott Bonvoy
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $120 | |||
| $150 |
In contrast, accumulating World of Hyatt points for Canadians mainly involves hotel stays or purchasing World of Hyatt points (especially during promotional periods).
Conclusion
The World of Hyatt devaluation in May 2026 represents a major change that will particularly affect Canadian members who value and use this program. With increases of up to 67%, it is crucial to plan your point redemptions before these changes. Nevertheless, Hyatt maintains some transparency with its published chart, unlike its competitors. Free night certificate holders and elite members will benefit from some advantages, but the overall trend remains a significant devaluation that will gradually align with industry practices.
To identify the redemptions that remain worthwhile despite this increase, see our article on the best World of Hyatt sweet spots for your points.
To identify which redemptions remain valuable despite this increase, consult our article on the best World of Hyatt sweet spots for your points.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will a night at the Park Hyatt Sydney cost exactly after May 2026?
The Park Hyatt Sydney, currently in Category 7, will cost between 25,000 and 55,000 points per night starting May 2026, compared to 25,000 to 35,000 points currently. During high-demand periods like New Year’s Eve, expect the Maximum rate of 55,000 points, a 57% increase compared to the current peak season rate of 35,000 points.
Will reservations made before May 2026 be honored at the old rates?
Yes, all reservations made before the implementation of the new chart in May 2026 will be honored at current rates, even for stays after that date. Additionally, if a hotel drops in category or price level, Hyatt will automatically refund the difference in points.
What is the real value of a World of Hyatt point in Canadian dollars after the devaluation?
The average value of a World of Hyatt point will remain around 2.4 cents CAD, but with fewer opportunities for exceptional value. For example, a Category 8 night at the Top rate of 75,000 points will represent $1,800 CAD in point value, making point redemptions less advantageous than currently where the maximum is $1,080 CAD (45,000 points).
How will the new 5-tier pricing system work in practice?
The 5 tiers (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper and Top) will replace the current 3 (off-peak, standard, peak). Hotels will be able to set their prices based on demand with no limit on the number of nights in each tier. A university hotel could be at the Lowest rate most of the year but at the Top rate during football weekends, creating a variation of up to 40,000 points for the same hotel.
Which Hyatt hotels are changing categories immediately?
Seven hotels are changing categories without notice: Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach (4→5), Hyatt Centric Malta (2→3), Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort (4→5), Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest (1→2), Grand Hyatt Incheon (3→4), Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa (6→8), and The Barnett JdV New Orleans (5→4). These changes are effective immediately.
