Confirmed World of Hyatt Program Changes: Award Chart Remains, But It Will Have 5 Redemption Levels

Last week, rumors of World of Hyatt’s long-anticipated program updates swirled across the internet. These proved to be false, and now we know, for sure, what’s changing with the fan-favorite program.

World of Hyatt will maintain its award chart, though it’s adding more redemption levels, and the program is adding 2 new features that will please World of Hyatt members.

Let’s dive into the details of World of Hyatt’s first major program change in several years.

World of Hyatt Retains an Award Chart, But It’s Getting Additional Redemption Tiers

To the relief of just about everybody, World of Hyatt will continue to use an award chart going forward when the program updates go into effect in May 2026.

Hyatt knows how much its members appreciate the stability of an award chart when redeeming World of Hyatt points for stays, and it worked to maintain that feature of the program, despite the industry moving almost completely to a dynamic pricing model.

“We know change can be difficult, especially in a loyalty program our members care deeply about. This update reinforces our commitment to a published award chart with fixed point thresholds while ensuring World of Hyatt remains strong, sustainable, and rewarding for years to come,” said Laurie Blair, senior vice president, global marketing and loyalty at Hyatt.

While the award chart and its 8 categories will stay, it will also get additional redemption levels. Instead of the current off-peak, standard, and peak pricing for each category, it will move to Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top.

The minimum you’ll pay for a Category 1 at “lowest” pricing will be 3,000 World of Hyatt points, while the highest rate you’ll pay for a Category 8 property at “top” pricing will be 75,000 points.

The current chart’s minimum redemption rate for a Category 1 property is 3,500 points for an off-peak night, while the current maximum you’ll pay is 45,000 points for a Category 8 property for a peak night.

Here’s a look at the new redemption rates for a standard room that will go into effect in May:

Come May, the most expensive redemption for a standard room at a Category 8 property will increase by approximately 67%. That’s a significant jump.

Still, World of Hyatt members can rely on the bounds of an award chart. When Hilton charges 250,000 Hilton Honors points for a standard award redemption at certain properties, and with Marriott Bonvoy not far behind, redeeming points at top Hyatt properties still seems like a bargain.

Hyatt says its new award chart will give the program a long runway to transition to the new structure, enabling it “to manage peak demand more precisely by reducing the need for broad increases or major category shifts in the future,” according to a press release.

The press release also says that Hyatt will implement these changes gradually, “with limited hotels moving a limited number of nights into the Upper and Top categories in 2026 and broader adoption in the years that follow.” Hyatt says that this change will allow it to preserve its award chart for several years, noting that it has been 5 years since the last major change to its program.

Any reservations booked before the program changes take effect in May will be honored at current levels, giving members time to lock in trips they’ve been considering before prices change. Additionally, Hyatt will continue to reevaluate its portfolio annually and adjust category ratings where it sees fit.

This year, it will announce category changes in April, but several hotels are changing categories, effective immediately:

• Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach shifts up 1 category (from Category 4 to 5)
• The Barnett, JdV by Hyatt shifts down 1 category (from Category 5 to 4)
• Grand Hyatt Incheon shifts up 1 category (from Category 3 to 4)
• Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa (opening 2026) shifts up 2 categories (from Category 6 to 8)
• Hyatt Centric Malta shifts up 1 category (from Category 2 to 3)
• Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort shifts up 1 category (from Category 4 to 5)
• Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest/Medical Center shifts up 1 category (from Category 1 to 2)

Note that Hyatt’s free night certificates, whether you have a Category 1-4 or 1-7 certificate, will function in the same way they do now. You can use them at any property in the category band, regardless of the rate the hotel charges on a given night. You still cannot add World of Hyatt points to a free night certificate to “top it off.”

New Program Features

In addition to a revamped award chart, the World of Hyatt program is getting a couple of new features that should improve the member experience.

First, World of Hyatt is adding the ability for members to share points online, making it easier for family members or friends to help each other reach their dream vacation faster. This feature will be introduced “later this year.”

Second, World of Hyatt Explorist, Globalist, and Lifetime Globalist members, along with all World of Hyatt cardholders, can get early access to award availability, giving them a jump on securing all-important award nights ahead of the general population. Hyatt will share more details surrounding this feature soon.

Final Thoughts

For the first time in several years, the World of Hyatt program is getting a major update. Our worst fears — the elimination of the award chart — have not come to pass, but the program is undoubtedly getting more complicated with 5 new redemption levels.

We have a lot left to learn, most importantly, where some of our favorite properties will land in the upcoming category review and how prevalent the “Top” pricing will be used across the portfolio as we move through this year and next.

Change is coming to World of Hyatt, and while it’s disappointing to see such significant price increases on the top end of the chart, we’re glad Hyatt is sticking to an award chart — something none of its peers can say.