World of Hyatt Category Changes for 2025: What To Book Before Award Prices Change on March 25

Update: Hyatt's category chances for 2025 have now taken effect. You'll now see the higher (or lower) pricing when reserving the properties mentioned below.

Few things in life are certain: death, taxes, and annual award category changes from World of Hyatt. Category changes are an unfortunate reality in award travel, and this year's iteration of Hyatt's award chart updates is taking place on March 25, 2025 at 8 a.m. Central Time.

World of Hyatt has long been the darling of many points and miles enthusiasts — and for good reason. The program has avoided some of the most egregious changes of other hotel programs, has a more simplistic award chart, and offers award redemptions at lower price points than most other hotel chains.

That said, these changes always come with some sadness, so let's take a look at the good and the bad of this year's changes.

World of Hyatt Award Category Changes in 2025

Category changes are usually more bad than good. If a hotel you used to stay at in the past moves up a category, you'll need more points for it now. However, if it moves down, you could be happy paying fewer points in the future.

For 2025, 151 hotels are changing categories. 33 will move down, while 118 hotels are moving up. Ouch.

• +80 net increase for non-inclusive hotels — 112 properties increasing vs. 32 properties decreasing
• +5 net increase for all-inclusive properties — 6 properties increasing vs. 1 property decreasing
• No properties are going up or down by two categories.

Photo of the Lindner Hotel Prague Castle, which is increasing from Category 1 to 2. Photo by JT Genter / AwardWallet

These award category changes go into effect as of March 25, 2025 at 8 a.m. Central Time. That means you still have time to utilize the current award chart before the changes go into effect.

Here are the key points to look for:

• Hotels moving up from Category 4 to 5 — as these will no longer be accessible with free night awards earned from The World of Hyatt Credit Card or the Brand Explorer perk.
• Properties moving up from Category 7 to 8 — since you can earn a Category 1–7 free night after 60 qualifying nights in a year
• Hotels moving down into Category 4 — as these will become accessible to those with Category 1–4 free nights.

No current Category 8 properties are decreasing to Category 7 in this year's changes.

Hyatt properties increasing from Category 4 to 5

The following properties will increase from Category 4 to Category 5. If you have a Category 1-4 award, consider redeeming it for a stay at these properties before March 25:

• Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
• Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport
• The Bellevue Hotel
• Hyatt Place Fort Worth Historic Stockyards
• Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui
• Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya
• Hyatt Regency Tokyo
• Hyatt Regency Koh Samui
• Hyatt Regency Vancouver
• Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
• Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin

Hyatt properties increasing from Category 7 to 8

The following properties will move from Category 7 to Category 8, meaning you should book now if you have a Category 1-7 certificate:

• Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Hawaii
• Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Japan
• Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Japan
• Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan
• Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
• IL Tornabuoni Hotel, Italy

Hyatt properties decreasing from Category 5 to 4

Here's where we get into the good news. On March 25, the following properties will drop from Category 5 to 4. That means you'll be able to use Category 1-4 free night awards at these properties soon — but you'll need to wait until March 25 before booking:

• Hotel Figueroa
• Dream South Beach
• Thompson Atlanta – Buckhead
• Park Hyatt Doha
• Grand Hyatt Sanya Haitang Bay Resort and Spa
• Grand Hyatt Jeju

All World of Hyatt Award Category Changes for 2025

Here are the changes for the U.S.:

Canada, Caribbean & Latin America:

Europe:

Middle East & Asia:

Notes on Hyatt peak/off-peak pricing

Remember that World of Hyatt uses peak and off-peak pricing. Thus, the values in the tables above reflect standard pricing. The number of points you need for a stay with Hyatt could be more or less, depending on what pricing model is in effect for your stay. Things like holidays, demand, and other local trends can affect award pricing and the peak/standard/off-peak calendar.

What To Do Now

If a hotel you want to book is moving up to a higher category and you were planning on redeeming points or a free night award, you should book now. That way, you can lock in the lower price.

Conversely, if a property you were going to book is moving down in category, you should wait. You can book it at the lower price come March 25. And if you already have one of these down-shifting properties reserved, it's worth rebooking after the changes.

Bottom Line

Hyatt category change news always makes for a sad day. Undoubtedly, there's at least one hotel that Hyatt loyalists are sad to see getting more expensive — but that's likely because we got good value at that property!

Each year, we see many more properties increasing than decreasing. But it's important to keep in mind that Hyatt is constantly adding new low-category properties throughout the year. For example, the Lindner Hotel Prague Castle has no business being a Category 1 hotel. Booking this property for 8,000 points on a standard night is still going to be an excellent deal.

Of the six hotels moving up into Category 8 this year, half of those properties are in Tokyo. And I'm sure many readers are sad to see the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa climb to Category 8, as this is an excellent property to use a Category 1-7 certificate.

You should book now if you've had your eye on any properties that will soon be in a higher category.

AwardWallet Tip of The Day

Did you know that we scour the internet for promotions? If we find anything worthwhile, we share those with you via the Promos section as well as via the Promotions tab within the details of any loyalty account.
Show me how

Hide image