Hyatt Postpones Program Updates, Tweaks Hotel Award Categories, Extends Point and Award Validity Hyatt Postpones Program Updates, Tweaks Hotel Award Categories, Extends Point and Award Validity

Hyatt Postpones Program Updates, Tweaks Hotel Award Categories, Extends Point and Award Validity

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Update: Since publishing, Hyatt dropped the award rate for 12 properties as noted below. Also, Hyatt implemented peak/off peak pricing as of October 26, 2021.

In case you need another reason to jump on the World of Hyatt bandwagon, Hyatt just announced another round of positive program updates. There are three big pieces of news in this latest round

First, Hyatt is setting a date for the launch of off-peak/peak award redemption program. Second, Hyatt is further extending point expiration dates, free night awards, and suite night awards. Third, the hotel award category adjustments scheduled for March 2021 will no longer occur, except for a few select properties.

Park-Hyatt-Sydney-300x169
Park Hyatt Sydney

Peak and Off-Peak Award Pricing

When Hyatt first announced its new peak/off-peak pricing, they intended to roll it out on March 22, 2020. But, that didn't happen. Hyatt decided that it wouldn't make sense to make such a drastic amid an international pandemic. (I wish the folks at United would have recognized this too.) At the time, Hyatt announced that it would delay this introduction until an unspecified time in 2021.

Now, we have a solid timeline. For now, Hyatt will launch peak pricing in July 2021. That means that World of Hyatt point redemptions will remain at the standard pricing level through June 2021.

Hyatt Hotel Award Category Updates

Hotel programs generally adjust award pricing based on recent demand for hotels. But, given the current travel climate, recent demand isn't a great barometer for what future award pricing should be. Hyatt seems to realize that it will take a while to find its equilibrium. In the meantime, it's postponing any further adjustments to award pricing until 2022. Having firm award pricing for the next 1.5 years is customer-friendly, but it also makes sense for Hyatt.

Award rates at the Grand Hyatt Vail are decreasing in late October 2020.
Grand Hyatt Vail

Select Hotel Award Category Adjustments

There are 16 properties that Hyatt is moving forward with a change in the award price. Of these, 12 are price reductions. That means Hyatt is only increasing the award price of four hotels in total.

On October 29, 2020, Hyatt will lower the award category for the following hotels

  1. Stonebridge Inn, A Destination Hotel (category 5 to 4)
  2. Wailea Grand Champions Villas, A Destination Residence (category 6 to 5)
  3. Wailea Ekahi Village, A Destination Residence (category 6 to 5)
  4. Lichenhearth, A Destination Residence (category 6 to 5)
  5. Parker New York (category 6 to 5)
  6. Wailea Ekolu Village, A Destination Residence (category 6 to 5)
  7. Grand Hyatt Vail (category 7 to 6)
  8. Mauna Lani Point, A Destination Residence (category 7 to 6)
  9. Wailea Elua Village, A Destination Residence (category 8 to 7)
  10. Kaanapali Alii, A Destination Residence (category 8 to 7)
  11. Vail Residences at Cascade Village, A Destination Residence (category 8 to 7)
  12. The Lodge at Spruce Peak, A Destination Hotel (category 8 to 7)

In mid-March 2021 (date TBD), the following hotels will increase by one category:

  1. Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport (category 2 to 3)
  2. Hyatt House Nashville/Downtown-SoBro (category 4 to 5)
  3. Mar Monte Hotel part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt (category 4 to 5)
  4. Park Hyatt Aviara (category 5 to 6)

General Impressions on the Changes

Overall, a lot of Hyatt ‘Destination' properties—particularly in Hawaii—will be cheaper starting at the end of October. Also, with the drop, the Stonebridge Inn in Aspen Colorado will now be eligible for Hyatt Category 1–4 Free Night Awards that cardholders of the The World of Hyatt Credit Card (review) receive on every cardmember anniversary.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card
The World of Hyatt Credit Card
Annual Fee$95
Welcome Bonus Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
Cardholders receive one free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort every year on account renewal, with an additional free night after $15,000 in annual spending​​. The card includes World of Hyatt Discoverist status, providing 5 qualifying night credits towards the next tier status each year, plus 2 additional credits for every $5,000 spent​​. There are no foreign transaction fees​​, and the card also offers comprehensive travel and purchase protections, including baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection, and an auto rental collision damage waiver​​.
  • Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 more Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
  • Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
  • Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
  • Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
  • Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
  • Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
  • Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays - 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
  • Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
  • Member FDIC
  • Rates & Fees
  • Up to 9X points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4X points per $1 when you use your card at Hyatt hotels & 5X points per $1 you can earn as a World of Hyatt member
  • 2X points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airlines tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
  • 1X point per $1 everywhere else

Unfortunately for me and my fellow Californians, three of our local California Hyatt properties will increase in price. However, given that both the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad and the Mar Monte Hotel in Santa Barbara have recently undergone significant renovations, this isn't necessarily surprising.

The Grand Hyatt Vail will drop from category 7 to 6
Grand Hyatt Vail

Further Postponing Point and Award Expirations

If you have awards piling up in your account, you may have been worried that they'd expire before you had a chance to use them. Thankfully, Hyatt has relieved that stress, confirming that you'll have the opportunity to use them for well over another year. Surely conditions will have improved by then (right?!)

Stack with Other Hyatt Promotions

These announcements pair nicely with the long list of generous promotions Hyatt has already announced, including:

  • The Hyatt Bonus Journeys Promotion — Earn up to quadruple points on stays through January 4, 2021.
  • 15–25% Rebate on Award Stays Registered members can receive a 15–25% rebate on all free night awards through January 4, 2021.
  • Free Parking — Receive free parking (including self-parking and valet) on all award stays through January 4, 2021.
  • Triple Points on Dining — Earn triple base points on all dining purchases made at Hyatt properties (even when you aren't staying) through January 4, 2021.
  • Earn Double Elite Nights For every elite night earned through the Bonus Journeys Promotion, members will also earn one elite qualifying night towards 2021 elite status.

Final Thoughts

Hyatt has absolutely crushed the competition in terms of taking care of its loyalty members in the wake of COVID-19. Nearly all of today's announcements positively serve their customers, making me even happier to choose Hyatt for my next stay.

If you haven't hopped on the bandwagon with us, there's still time. Learn more about the World of Hyatt program and check out the Hyatt co-branded credit card that grants elite status and a free night each year.

How do you feel about Hyatt's latest round of extensions?

For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The World of Hyatt Credit Card (Rates & Fees)

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