The World of Hyatt program is introducing major updates to its award chart starting May 20, 2026. These changes will impact how many points you need for free nights and how award pricing fluctuates throughout the year.

While Hyatt is still keeping a category-based system, the new structure adds more pricing flexibility—resulting in higher redemption costs in many cases.

If you collect Hyatt points, this update is important to understand before your next booking.

What’s Changing with Hyatt Award Pricing

A Shift to 5 Pricing Levels

Hyatt is expanding its pricing model from three tiers to five:

• Lowest
• Low
• Moderate
• Upper
• Top

This replaces the previous Off-Peak, Standard, and Peak system.

The new structure allows Hyatt to adjust pricing more frequently based on demand, making award rates less predictable.

Award Chart Still Exists (But With a Twist)

Hyatt remains one of the few hotel programs that still uses a published award chart.

Hotels are still grouped into Categories 1 through 8, but each category now has a wider range of pricing depending on demand.

This means pricing is not fully dynamic—but it’s moving closer to it.

Higher Maximum Redemption Rates

One of the biggest changes is the increase in top-tier pricing.

High-end properties now require significantly more points, especially during peak demand periods.

For example:

• Category 8 hotels can now reach up to 75,000 points per night

This represents a major jump compared to previous pricing levels.

New Hyatt Award Chart (2026)

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the updated points required per night:

This chart shows a clear increase in point requirements, especially at the higher end.

Hotel Category Adjustments

In addition to pricing updates, many Hyatt properties are being reassigned to different categories.

• A large number of hotels are moving up in category
• A smaller portion are moving down

This means many popular hotels will cost more points going forward.

Are There Any Benefits?

There are a few limited positives:

• Some lower-category hotels may cost fewer points during the lowest pricing tier
• Travelers with flexible schedules may still find strong value

However, these savings are generally smaller compared to the increases seen at higher tiers.

New Program Enhancements

Along with pricing changes, Hyatt is adding a few features to improve the program experience:

• Easier point transfers between members
• Early access to award bookings for select members

These updates aim to provide more flexibility, even as redemption costs rise.

What This Means for Travelers

Expect Higher Costs Overall

Most travelers will need more points, especially during popular travel dates.

Luxury Stays Are Getting More Expensive

Top-tier hotels now require significantly more points than before.

Flexibility Matters More Than Ever

With five pricing levels, choosing the right dates can make a big difference in how many points you use.

Best Strategy: Book Before the Deadline

If you’re planning to use Hyatt points, timing is key.

• Bookings made before May 20, 2026 will follow the current pricing
• New bookings after that date will reflect the updated chart

Locking in reservations early can help you save a significant number of points.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 update to the World of Hyatt award chart is a major shift in how points are redeemed. While Hyatt still maintains a structured system, the introduction of five pricing tiers adds complexity and increases costs—especially for premium properties.

To continue maximizing value:

• Book early when possible
• Stay flexible with your travel dates
• Focus on lower-category hotels for better redemption value

Staying ahead of these changes will help you get the most out of your Hyatt points moving forward.