World of Hyatt Reveals Hotel Category Changes for 2024
Hyatt announced on Tuesday its hotel category changes for 2024 where 183 hotels and resorts are shifting to different award categories in late-March.
The good news is that World of Hyatt has not added any additional categories to its award charts, and the points required for each category in all charts remain the same. But the overall category changes are for the worse.
Effective as of Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. CDT, World of Hyatt members will see updates made to the number of points required for a free night at 183 hotels – 46 will shift to a lower award category and 137 hotels will shift to a higher award category.
Hyatt highlights that several favorites like Alila Marea Beach Resort, Secrets St. Martin Resort & Spa, Hyatt Centric Melbourne, Magma Resort Santorini and Firstname Bordeaux will shift down in category. On the other hand, those planning to use a Category 1-7 Award Night, must do so ahead of March 26 as Hyatt Centric Park City, Alila Villas Uluwatu and two others will move into Category 8.
The Award Chart landing page will be updated with the new hotel award categories at 8:00 am CDT Tuesday, March 26, and you can view the full list of hotels and award changes here. You can also check out this Google Sheet (HT: garettg) that makes it easier to search and filter properties.
What You Should Know
- All free night award and Points + Cash redemptions booked before 8:00 am CDT on Tuesday, March 26 will follow the current Award Chart regardless of stay dates, even if the hotel is shifting to a higher award category. 
- However, members who have existing award or Points + Cash bookings as of 8:00 am CDT on Tuesday, March 26 for a night on or after Tuesday, March 26 at a Hyatt hotel that moved down to a lower category will receive an automatic one-time refund on the point difference. Points will be returned to members’ accounts starting Tuesday, March 26.
- Any free night award and Points + Cash redemptions booked on or after 8:00 am CDT on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, will follow the new Award Chart. 
- Once changes go into effect on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. CDT, any adjustments made to existing reservations will follow the terms of the new Award Chart.
What Does This Mean for 1-4 Category Free Night Certificates
These category changes are often important when it comes to World of Hyatt Credit Card members. One of the main benefits of this card is the annual free night award that you get upon renewal. That free night can only be used at Category 1-4 Hyatt hotels or resorts. You can also earn an additional free night award after spending $15,000 or more each year. The same 1-4 Category Free Night Certificate can be earned through the Hyatt Brand Explorer program.
With today’s changes, 19 properties are no longer bookable with these Free Night Certificates:
| Country | Property | Current Cat. | New Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Regency Washington | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Grand Hyatt Washington | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt House Washington DC / The Wharf | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Place Panama City Beach / Beachfront | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt House Augusta Downtown | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Place Athens Downtown | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Thompson Chicago | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Regency Boston / Cambridge | 4 | 5 |
| United States | Hyatt Centric The Woodlands | 4 | 5 |
| Germamy | Hyatt Regency Dusseldorf | 4 | 5 |
| Germany | The Wellem Dusseldorf | 4 | 5 |
| Italy | Hyatt Centric Milan Centrale | 4 | 5 |
| Italy | The Tribune, part of JdV by Hyatt | 4 | 5 |
| China | Hyatt Regency Changbaishan | 4 | 5 |
| India | Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort | 4 | 5 |
| India | Alila Fort Bishangarh | 4 | 5 |
| Indonesia | Andaz Bali | 4 | 5 |
On the other hand, only 5 properties are moving from Category 5 to Category 4. That means that you can now use your 1-4 Category Free Night Certificates at the following Hyatt hotels:
| Country | Property | Current Cat. | New Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Kissel Uptown Oakland, In The Unbound Collection By Hyatt | 5 | 4 |
| United States | Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco | 5 | 4 |
| United States | Hyatt Place Santa Cruz | 5 | 4 |
| France | Firstname Bordeaux | 5 | 4 |
| China | Alila Wuzhen | 5 | 4 |
Guru’s Wrap-up
As I mentioned above, overall these are negative changes. However, it is not terrible. There are 46 properties that are getting more affordable by moving down one category, and another 137 that are shifting one category higher.
If you see a hotel that will shift to a higher category in March, then you should book now. If it will move to a lower category, then you can wait till after the changes to book.
How do these World of Hyatt category changes for 2024 affect your travel plans? Let me know in the comments!
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