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Listennnnn UP.

🚨 Lotssss of changes coming to Hyatt — and the deadline to lock in the OLD rates is right around the corner. The new award chart + category shifts officially go live on May 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. CT.

And before anyone says “But Abby…but HOW are we still going to get free hotel stays?!??”

…the long-term strategy is diversifying your points across LOTS of hotel + bank ecosystems, NOT putting all your eggs in one travel bank. 💳✈️

What’s Actually Changing?

Three big shifts all at once:

• 🧾 The award chart is expanding from 3 redemption levels (Off-Peak, Standard, Peak) → 5 redemption levels (Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, Top) — an in depth on that here.
• ⬆️ 112 hotels are moving UP a category (more points per night)
• ⬇️ 24 hotels are moving DOWN a category (fewer points per night!)

The good news? Category buckets stay the same — 1–8 for hotels, A–F for all-inclusives.

And if you book before May 20 at 8 a.m. CT, your reservation stays locked at today’s rate. 🙌

Notable Properties Moving UP

These are the standouts I’d flag — the ones getting somewhat of a “double devaluation” you’d actually want to book ASAP for a family trip or a kid-free getaway.

For Your Family Trip 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

• Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort, Spa and Casino | Cat 7 → 8
• Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Resort (Orlando) | Cat 4 → 5
• Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casino | Cat 5 → 6
• Grand Hyatt Athens | Cat 3 → 4
• Hyatt Regency Lisbon | Cat 4 → 5
• Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (Miami area) | Cat 4 → 5
• Hyatt Regency Seattle | Cat 4 → 5
• Hyatt Regency/House Jersey City (NYC) | Cat 4 → 5

For a Couples’ Kid-Free Getaway 💖

• Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa | Cat C → D (all-inclusive)
• Hôtel du Louvre (Paris) | Cat 7 → 8
• Alila Mayakoba | Cat 6 → 7
• Park Hyatt London River Thames | Cat 7 → 8
• Hyatt Place Kyoto | Cat 2 → 3
• The Beekman, A Thompson Hotel (NYC) | Cat 6 → 7
• Andaz 5th Avenue (NYC) | Cat 7 → 8

***Especially of note is any property moving from a category 4 → 5, because you will not longer be able to use Category 1-4 Free Night Certificates there

Translation: if one of these has been on your radar? Or really if ANY Hyatt properties have been on your radar?!

BOOK before May 20th to lock in today’s rates before the award chart and category changes. 🏃🏽‍♀️‍➡️

See the FULL list of changes directly from Hyatt HERE.

The Silver Lining — Properties Moving DOWN

A few notable ones are actually getting CHEAPER on May 20, which is a win:

• Hyatt Centric Playa Del Carmen → Cat 4 → 3
• Hyatt Place London City East → Cat 4 → 3 (budget-friendly London that sleeps 4!)
• Hyatt Centric Delfina Santa Monica → Cat 6 → 5
• Dream Nashville → Cat 5 → 4
• The Standard, Singapore → Cat 5 → 4

For these? Wait until May 20th to book and you’ll pay fewer points per night. 💸

What This Means for Your Points Strategy Now

Two moves to make right now:

• ✅ Book any Hyatt properties on your radar by May 20 to lock in today’s category
• 🔁 Diversify your hotel points so you’re never stuck when one brand devalues

This is exactlyyyy why I always preach about DIVERSIFYING your points stash as you get further into your “not paying full price for vacations” journey. When one brand raises rates!? You pivot. 💪

The Hotel Cards I’d Snag Right Now

Smart travel points families don’t depend on ONE hotel brand. In time, you want a strategy with Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, anddd Hilton so no matter where you want to travel or what happens in this crazy niche — you’ve got a free night waiting.

🚨 Here are my top 4 ELEVATED pivot picks right now (ENDING SOON!!):

1. IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Ends @9AM EST April 30th!)
2. World of Hyatt Business Credit Card (Ends @9AM EST April 30th!)
3. Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card (Ends May 13th)
4. Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card (Ends May 13th)

If you’re looking for some vacation inspiration for each offer – click HERE!

TLDR for you

• ⏰ New award chart + category shifts go live May 20, 2026 at 8 a.m. CT
• 📝 Book any Hyatts on your radar before that date to lock in today’s rates
• 🙌 Wait until May 20th to book the “moving down” properties for cheaper redemptions
• 🏨 Diversify your hotel card lineup so you’re never stuck with one brand
• 💛 Thank you SO much for using my links when you apply for a new cards- keeps it allll going!

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Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included with the post.