World of Hyatt has just revealed its annual hotel category adjustments for 2022, with 146 properties changing categories from 22 March 2022.
70 properties will shift to a higher category, and 76 properties will shift to a lower category. All except one (Hyatt Place Moab) are moving up or down at most one category.
The good news is that most of the changes within Asia involve hotels becoming cheaper. The bad news is that Hyatt properties have finally crossed into Category 8, which was previously used only for Small Luxury Hotels of the World properties.
Hyatt annual category changes
Here’s a reminder of World of Hyatt’s standard room award chart, reflecting peak and off-peak pricing which kicks in for stays from 1 March 2022 onwards (in other words, all stays till 28 February 2022 price at standard rates).
| Category | Off-Peak | Standard | Peak |
| 1 | 3,500 | 5,000 | 6,500 |
| 2 | 6,500 | 8,000 | 9,500 |
| 3 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 | 18,000 |
| 5 | 17,000 | 20,000 | 23,000 |
| 6 | 21,000 | 25,000 | 29,000 |
| 7 | 25,000 | 30,000 | 35,000 |
| 8 | 35,000 | 40,000 | 45,000 |
All bookings made up till 21 March 2022 will follow the current award chart, regardless of the actual stay date.
Members with existing bookings at hotels which are moving down a category will receive an automatic refund of the points difference. Any adjustments made to bookings from 22 March 2022 onwards will be subject to the new pricing.
In other words, if you spot a hotel you like that’s going up a category, be sure to book it by 21 March 2022 (and don’t change the dates after that, or else you’ll be subject to the higher prices). If you spot a hotel you like that’s going down a category, you can book it now and automatically get a refund of the points difference from 22 March 2022.
Analysing the changes
Hyatt’s category changes aren’t all bad news in Asia. I’m seeing cheaper awards in Bali, Bangkok and Hong Kong, which reflect the depressed hotel rates at the moment:
- Hyatt Regency Bali and Grand Hyatt Bali move from Cat. 2 to Cat. 1
- Alila Ubud moves from Cat. 3 to Cat. 2
- Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit and Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok move from Cat. 3 to Cat. 2
- Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour Hong Kong and Lanson Place Causeway Bay move from Cat. 4 to Cat. 3
- Hyatt Regency Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui moves from Cat. 5 to Cat. 4
- Andaz Delhi moves from Cat. 3 to Cat. 2
In fact, only a handful of properties in Asia are moving up, most notably Park Hyatt Busan (Cat. 5 to Cat. 6), Hyatt Regency Tokyo (Cat. 3 to Cat. 4), and Park Hyatt Kyoto and Park Hyatt Niseko (Cat. 7 to Cat. 8).
Where it gets bad is that nine Hyatt properties are moving into Category 8, which was previously reserved exclusively for SLH properties:
- Alila Napa Valley
- Alila Ventana Big Sur
- Andaz Maui at Wailea
- Park Hyatt Kyoto
- Park Hyatt Milan
- Park Hyatt New York
- Park Hyatt Niseko
- Park Hyatt Paris
- Park Hyatt Sydney
Standard award nights at these hotels will now cost up to 45,000 points, versus the current 30,000 points. That’s a 50% increase, hefty indeed.
World of Hyatt 30% bonus sale
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| 30% bonus on World of Hyatt points |
If you’re just shy of the points required to make your booking, don’t forget that World of Hyatt is offering a 30% bonus on a minimum purchase of 5,000 points made up till 8 March 2022, 12.59 p.m (GMT+8)
A maximum of 55,000 points can be purchased in a calendar year, but you can combine points across accounts during redemptions, so you and your spouse/traveling companion could each buy points and pool them if necessary.
Buying points with a 30% bonus is equivalent to paying 1.85 US cents per point.
Conclusion
World of Hyatt’s annual category changes go into effect on 22 March 2022, with 70 properties becoming more expensive and 76 becoming cheaper.
If you’re travelling to Bali or Bangkok, you’ll have some cheaper options at your disposal. However, if you were saving up points for a an aspirational redemption at a place like the Park Hyatt Kyoto or Park Hyatt Sydney, you’ll want to make a booking ASAP to lock in the current rates.
Any other category changes worth noting?
It should be Alila … in a few places you’ve written Alia. I have my first (and unfortunately I guess last) two stays booked at future Category 8’s. But you’re right, in Asia the news is not too bad
thanks stacy! fixed.
yes, the americans are sad, here, it’s more of a mixed bag
Oops, just realised they wiped out my points on 31st Dec for inactivity. Any chance of getting them back ?