Just A Few More Days Before Hyatt Award Category Changes. Book Now To Save Points!

March 18th is the last day you can book certain World of Hyatt properties before the 2019 award category changes go into effect. There are also some properties that will take fewer points to redeem for a free night, starting on March 19th, 2019.  I outlined the full list of properties changing categories a few weeks ago when Hyatt announced them.

Properties that are getting pricier on points that you might consider booking include:

• Hyatt House Anaheim Resort (new build, walking distance to Disneyland)
• Park Hyatt Mallorca
• Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort
• Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills
• Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa
• Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa
• Hyatt Centric Park City
• Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo
• Pretty much all the Seattle area Hyatt full-service hotels

Similary, a handful of desirable properties get cheaper on points:

• Hyatt Regency Chicago
• Hyatt Regency New Orleans
• Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort
• Hyatt Regency Jersey City
• Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach

The Final Two Pennies

Hyatt has said they will automatically refund points to you if you already have a booking at a property that will drop a category on March 19th.  You’ll still want to check your account to make sure you get the points returned to you. And, if you have your eye on one of the properties jumping up to a new category, consider booking something before the 18th of March even if your plans aren’t set.  You’ll be able to cancel without penalty, subject to the normal cancellation policies.

Some folks will lament the great properties that are getting pricier to redeem points at.  I don’t love it anymore than you do.  But, we do get a small list of properties dropping a category.  And, the overall list isn’t that painful.  When you consider that we have over 100 new SLH properties to redeem our points at and a worthwhile promotion going on right now, it’s a good time to be loyal to Hyatt (especially given the continued problems with Marriott).  Later this year, we get the opportunity to earn more points and miles with a new American Airlines/Hyatt partnership.  I look at all of these factors when deciding to keep Hyatt as my primary hotel chain in 2019.

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