Hyatt's New Award Pricing: What You Need to Know

World of Hyatt, known for its generous loyalty program, is introducing a new, tiered award chart. This means the number of points required for a free night at certain hotels can fluctuate based on demand. While some properties might become more affordable during off-peak times, others could become significantly more expensive during peak seasons. This change necessitates a shift in strategy for maximizing your points and miles.

Understanding the Impact on Globalist Benefits

While the core Globalist benefits (like suite upgrades and free breakfast) are not directly changing yet, the increased cost of award stays indirectly impacts the value of achieving and maintaining Globalist status. If free nights become harder to attain due to higher point costs, the overall return on your Hyatt spending decreases. This is why it's crucial to be strategic about how you earn and redeem Hyatt points.

Maximizing Your Hyatt Credit Card Rewards in the New Landscape

Here’s how you can adapt to the evolving World of Hyatt program and continue to extract maximum value from your credit card rewards:

  • Prioritize Earning Points: Now more than ever, earning Hyatt points efficiently is critical. The World of Hyatt Credit Card from Chase offers a solid return on Hyatt spending. Use this card for all your Hyatt stays to earn bonus points. Also, consider using it for everyday purchases if you value Hyatt points highly, but be sure to compare the return to other cards in your wallet.
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards Transfers: The real power lies in the Chase Ultimate Rewards program. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Chase Sapphire Reserve earn valuable Ultimate Rewards points that transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Utilize these cards for bonus categories (dining, travel, etc.) to rack up Ultimate Rewards quickly and then transfer them to Hyatt when you find a valuable redemption.
  • Book Strategically: Flexibility is key. Check award pricing across different dates to find the best value. Consider traveling during off-peak seasons or shoulder seasons to take advantage of lower point requirements. Use Hyatt's website or app to compare pricing and availability.
  • Consider Cash + Points: Hyatt offers the option to redeem points and pay a cash co-pay. Evaluate whether this option makes sense for your budget and point balance. Sometimes, Cash + Points can offer a better value than redeeming points outright, especially if you're short on points.
  • Explore Partner Hotels: Don't limit yourself to only booking Hyatt-branded properties. World of Hyatt has partnerships with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and MGM Rewards. These partnerships provide opportunities to redeem points at unique and luxurious properties around the globe. Explore these options to find hidden gems and potentially better value.

Actionable Takeaways for RewardSmart Users

  1. Review Your Hyatt Strategy: Re-evaluate your points earning and redemption strategy based on the new award chart. Are you maximizing your Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers? Are you flexible with your travel dates?
  2. Track Award Pricing: Monitor the award pricing for your desired hotels over time to identify trends and potential deals.
  3. Use RewardSmart to Compare Options: Leverage the RewardSmart app to compare the value of different redemption options, including free nights, Cash + Points, and partner hotels. RewardSmart can also help you track your points balances across different programs and identify the best card to use for each purchase.

Staying ahead of loyalty program changes is crucial for maximizing your travel rewards. By understanding the impact of Hyatt's new award chart and adapting your strategy accordingly, you can continue to enjoy exceptional travel experiences without breaking the bank.