Last month Hyatt announced their annual category changes — 130 properties moving up and 129 moving down. While it does seem like an even amount, when I really look through the list of properties, it looks like a devaluation to me. This is a reminder if there are any properties moving up on the list, book them TODAY! The changes are set to take place tomorrow, March 18th, but any reservations booked before then will be locked into todays number of required points. While I have detailed out some of the more notable properties below that you’ll want to pay attention to, you can check out the entire list here.
Florida is Getting Much More Expensive
If Florida is on your radar, you might want to start booking now. It seems as though almost all of the properties in South Florida and the West Coast are going up. On the West Coast you are looking at the Hyatt Place Ft. Myers, Hyatt Place Coconut Point, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Hyatt House Naples/5th Avenue, Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa, and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa. On the East Coast in South Florida, there are many properties moving up as well—Hyatt House Fort Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port, Hyatt Place Fort Lauderdale 17th Street Convention Center, Hyatt Place Delray Beach, and Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami.
I am definitely the most disappointed about the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa as this was a steal at a category 4. Now that it is moving up to a category 5 you’ll no longer be able to use your free night certificate with the World of Hyatt Credit Card.
Maui is Getting Hit
There are two Hyatt properties in Maui and both of them are moving up. The Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort will soon require a whopping 30,000 points and the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort will be at 25,000 points. Fortunately the Hyatt in Kauai is not being hit, although it already requires 25,000 points a night. Although, if you are stopping in Waikiki Beach, the Hyatt Centric Waikiki Beach is moving down to a category 4 which is great!
Mexico and Central America Resort Properties Increasing
Probably the best bang for your buck in the Hyatt program is about to change. The Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo has been a category 4 for quite some time now and it was due to change categories at some point. This property is easily well over $500 on most nights and during peak holiday dates can be over $1,000. While I probably wouldn’t spend that kind of money at this hotel, it was a great value at just 15,000 points a night. And best of yet, you could use the free night certificate with the World of Hyatt Credit Card. Unfortunately, this is one of the properties being hit and is moving up to a category 5. I would definitely try to lock in reservations now, but do keep in mind that award availability is limited and during peak dates reservations are many times non-refundable.
Two other desirable properties in Mexico include the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen Resort and Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya. Now that they will increasing to 25,000 points a night they probably are not a great value for using points and you are probably much better off staying at the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Cancun.
Other Notable Properties Changing Categories
Some other properties that you might want to lock in a reservation now include:
- Hyatt Regency Bali — moving from a category 1 to 2
- Hyatt Place Saratoga/Malta — moving from a category 2 to 3
- Hyatt Place Charleston/Historic District — moving from a category 3 to 4
- Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa — moving from a category 3 to 4
- Hyatt Regency Sonoma Wine Country — moving from a category 3 to 4
- Grand Hyatt Seattle — moving from a category 4 to 5
- Hyatt at Olive 8 — moving from a category 4 to 5
- Hyatt Centric Fishermans Wharf SF — moving from a category 4 to 5
- Hyatt Regency Amsterdam — moving from a category 4 to 5
- Hyatt Regency Boston — moving from a category 4 to 5
- Andaz Napa — moving from a category 5 to 6
- Hyatt Centric Park City — moving from a category 5 to 6
- Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa — moving from a category 6 to 7
Overall…
I am definitely sad to see so many category 4 properties moving up a category as this is the real sweet spot in the World of Hyatt program. Of course there are some new ones moving in, but not nearly as many. Make sure to make your reservations TODAY to lock in the current (and lower) rate. And if you have points to spare, make some speculative reservations just in case. Just remember though, any changes to your reservation, even if they are one day in either direction will re-price your stay at the new points required. You might want to consider booking multiple one night stays to string together a longer vacation incase you need to cancel or move things around a night here or there.
Where will you be booking prior to the changes taking place?
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