2026 Hyatt Changes

About three months ago, Hyatt announced a fundamental change to their standard award chart. The changes and an overall Hyatt Overview (why do people love Hyatt?!) can be found here.

We are a week out from when the "new" award chart goes into effect: May 20th, 2026. I've received a few questions about the impending changes that seem worth compiling here.

2026 Hyatt Changes

Why is this a big deal?

The general jist of the change in award chart points pricing is that Hyatt is going to be able to charge significantly more points and/or a wider range of points for the same hotel. The previous standard award chart only had 3 rate options for points (Off-Peak, Standard, Peak) without too large of a sway between them. The new award has 5-pricing tiers with a huge sway in the points price.

For example, if you want to travel between the winter holidays, one could assume that would be consider peak rates.

With the "old" award chart a Category 6 hotel like Hyatt Regency Maui would cost you 29,000 points per night (at most). With the "new" award chart, the same hotel for the same "peak" dates will cost 40,000 points per night after 5/20.

This may be somewhat tolerable; but look at the Category 8 pricing. Grand Hyatt Kauai is a Category 8 hotel that currently costs 45,000 points per night for peak and will jump up to 75,000 points per night after 5/20! OUCH!

2025 Award Chart

2026 Award Chart

What Should I Do?

After 5/19, we really will be at the mercy of Hyatt. You will either need to earn more points, travel less, book lower category hotels, or change your travel plans to travel at less peak times (which, as a mom of 2 which kids in school; can be hard to do!).

Book Now: Since Hyatt generally (currently) releases award availability 13 months in advance*, most Hyatt Hotels calendars are open into June 2027. If you have points or even are contemplating a trip in the next year - I would book in now. 

*Note: Hyatt has said they will be changing how the release availability dates. Those with Explorist or Globalist Status or who hold a Hyatt credit card will be able to book 13 months in advance, but those who don't, will only be given a 12month in advance window. Essentially, incentivizing you to get status or a credit card.

What if I Book Now and Plans Change?

Pay attention to the cancellation policy; but more than likely if you book a trip now and can't make it happen, you can cancel and get your points back.

Be careful - if you book a reservation before 5/20; and need to modify after 5/20, you are at jeopardy that you will likely be required to pay the points differential to the "new" award chart.

What if I Book Now and Price Goes Down?

If you book a Hyatt reservation at one price and the annual changes lead to a drop in that price, historically Hyatt had automatically credited your account for the points difference/drop. It remains to be seen if that will still be the case. (Although if you see this happen to your reservations, you could always cancel yourself and rebook for less)

What if I Want to Apply an Award?

For those of us who have reservations booked for stays after 5/19 and have a Hyatt award we want to utilize (see my Hyatt post for more details on Hyatt awards); your safest bet is to apply the award now, before 5/20.

This is the same advice that was given in past years, but Hyatt seems to have been flexible in the past, that if you had a reservation and the point price increased with the annual changes AFTER you had already booked, if you applied the award after the price increase - there was a chance that you'd have to pay the higher point level. However, having used several GOH awards, I've not run into this issue yet...

...but it doesnt like it may be more strictly implemented now!

Summary

Hyatt's standard award chart and Guest of Honor awards are my favorite reason to keep booking Hyatts. Keep in mind, Chase and Bilt are the only Hyatt transfer partners, which is why I try to save those points for Hyatt and use my other bank stashes to book flights!

I'm curious to see just how "bad" these changes actually are once they go into effect. But, I won't like - a week out and I'm debating scrambling to book a few "just so we have the option" trips for the next year. What Hyatts are you booking?!

__________________________

Looking for more information on points/miles? You can find all of my points talk posts linked here.

Trying to figure out your next card? Here is my FREE personalized Next Card Recommendation form. Simply fill this out and I'll let you know my suggestions.

Wondering how I keep all of this information organized? Check out my Points Tracker!

Curious what cards I (and/or my husband) have, and why? Read here!