Upcoming Changes to Hyatt Award Chart Effective May 20
World of Hyatt is set to implement significant changes to its award chart on May 20, 2026, at 9 a.m. EDT. The changes will see an expansion from three pricing tiers to five new levels, impacting point redemptions for travelers. The new structure will introduce Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top pricing tiers, replacing the previous off-peak, standard, and peak categories.
Category 1, 2, and 3 hotels will experience slight decreases of 500 to 1,000 points on some off-season nights. However, most travelers booking during normal or busy periods will face higher redemption costs. Peak pricing could see an increase of up to 67 percent under the new system. Furthermore, 136 Hyatt properties are undergoing category changes: 112 moving up and 24 moving down. It’s important to note that more than 90 percent of properties will remain in their current categories.
Travelers who have booked award stays before May 20 at 9 a.m. EDT will be charged at the old rates, even for stays later in 2026 or 2027. Those with existing bookings at properties moving to lower categories will receive automatic point refunds starting May 20. Hyatt has indicated that the transition to Upper and Top tier pricing will be gradual in 2026, with broader adoption in future years.