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Last week, Hyatt announced its annual category changes for 2025. While we didn't receive any changes to the overall World of Hyatt program, my general feeling about the announcement is: sadness.
As someone who loves to maximize all the benefits of the program throughout the year, including utilizing Category 1-4 certificates to their full potential, these changes are a gut punch. Each year, there are typically some positive changes to balance out the negative ones. While there are a few bright spots in the changes, this year felt targeted at some of my favorite redemptions in the program.
Here are six Hyatts I'm sad to see increasing categories — as well as two hotels I'm happy to see getting cheaper.
Remember that you can still book these Hyatt hotels at current rates through March 25, 2025. So, you still have time to lock in current pricing!
Hyatt Properties I'm Sad To See Increasing Categories
Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport
At the top of my list of properties I'm sad to see moving categories is the Hyatt Regency Orlando Airport. Currently a Category 4, this property will become a Category 5 when changes go into place on March 25, 2025.
A big reason this hotel is one of my favorites is for my personal travel habits. I visit Florida often to go to the many theme parks as well as board several ships a year from Port Canaveral, Orlando's cruise port. Flying from the Western United States to Florida can sometimes burn an entire day due to the time changes involved. With this hotel's location directly in the Orlando (MCO) airport terminal, it's a convenient option for a late-night arrival.
Since it is currently a Category 4, this is a perfect use of a Category 1-4 certificate that I accrue throughout the calendar year in the World of Hyatt program. I can spend a certificate and save time, money, and points on the first night of my vacation if I head to a more expensive resort hotel. Plus, if I'm headed to Port Canaveral, it's easy to catch a $30 shuttle to the port the next morning when I'm ready to embark on my cruise vacation.
Since it's a full-service Hyatt, I've enjoyed many Hyatt Globalist perks here throughout the years, including a lovely complimentary breakfast at McCoy's each morning. Luckily, other full-service Hyatts are Category 4s in the Orlando area — like the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, which is one of my other favorite resorts in Hyatt's portfolio.
Grand Hyatt Kauai
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is a jewel in the Hyatt resort crown. Located on my favorite Hawaiian island, the Grand Hyatt Kauai is a massive yet still luxurious, family-friendly resort. I spent five nights here in late 2023, and loved our upgraded suite for my growing family. Plus, having a club lounge with complimentary food options in the mornings as well as evenings can save travelers a bundle in ever-expensive Hawaii.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai is currently a Category 7 and will be moving to a Category 8 in March. This stings extra since the property was “just” a Category 6 a few years ago. Not only will World of Hyatt members have to spend 35,000 to 45,000 per night, but Globalists can no longer utilize Category 1-7 certificates for a stay. Instead, ultra-loyal Hyatt members will need to redeem an “Ultimate Free Night Award” — which is earned when reaching 150 Hyatt nights in a year.
Related: World of Hyatt Milestone Rewards: Bonus Points, Suite Upgrades, and New Options for 2025
Park Hyatt Chennai
Ok, so the Park Hyatt Chennai wasn't in my immediate travel plans, but it was the only Park Hyatt in the World of Hyatt that was a Category 1. That meant award travelers on off-peak dates could stay at Hyatt's top-tier brand for as low as 3,500 points per night. It always stood out to me as an “interesting if in the area” redemption.
This property is moving to a Category 2 property, so it'll still be available for a reasonable 6,500 to 9,500 points per night.
Related: From Miraval to Ventana: Our 7 Favorite Hyatt Award Sweet Spots
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
The Hyatt Regency Newport Beach is another hit to the usability of Hyatt's Category 1-4 certificates, with the property moving to a Category 5. My family loves this resort so much that we even spent my son's first birthday on the property! I'll be the first to say that the resort needs a big renovation of its rooms, but the location is superb for enjoying Orange County's beaches. Plus, your resort fee (waived for Globalists) includes a lot of activities — including a 9-hole pitch-and-putt golf course with ocean views.
Credit: Mark Jackson
Hyatt Regency Paris Étoile
Yet another devaluation for Category 1-4 certificates, the only full-service Hyatt as a Category 4 in Paris is moving to a Category 5. To be honest, I'm surprised this hotel lasted as long as it did as a Category 4, despite being a large hotel with 995 rooms. As a Globalist, you can't beat the Eiffel Tower views from the club lounge, which offers complimentary drinks and canapés in the evenings, as well as breakfast in the morning.
The rooms here are on the smaller side, and 17,000 to 23,000 points per night in Paris is still a great deal. You'll just have to use points now instead of a Category 1-4 certificate.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
I want to include this to make an example for those reading this article. We talk a lot about devaluations over time at AwardWallet, much like any “real” currency can be devalued worldwide. I visited this property in 2017, and had an amazing time. In fact, it was a great use of a Category 1-4 certificate. Well, times change, and this property is now moving from a Category 7 to a Category 8!
To put that in perspective, in 8 years, this property has increased its points cost from 15,000 points per night to 35,000-45,000 points per night. On peak nights, that's a 200% increase! Based on the average value that AwardWallet users redeem Hyatt points for (2.19¢ per point), that's a $657 increase in points value required per night for an award night!
This property is definitely a great one to visit, but I'm not sure it's worth it at those redemption rates.
Properties I'm Happy to See Get Cheaper
It's not all bad news (though it's mostly bad news). Here are a few properties that I'm excited to see drop in award price in 2025.
Dream South Beach
The Dream South Beach is a relatively new addition to the World of Hyatt program, when Hyatt acquired the brand in 2022. It's been a Category 5 since joining the program, but will be decreasing to a Category 4 with the new changes. That means travelers to the ever-popular destination of Miami Beach can redeem Category 1-4 certificates again, after a loss of the Confidante (soon to be Andaz Miami Beach) and the Hyatt Centric South Beach moving up categories a few years ago.
It's also a harder-to-get brand for those that chase the Brand Explorer awards, which give Hyatt members a Category 1-4 certificate for every five brands they visit for the first time.
Related: How To Earn 6 Free Night Certificates With the Hyatt Brand Explorer Perk
Park Hyatt Doha
Now that the World Cup has wrapped up in the country, Qatar has a lot of luxury hotel rooms. Already priced at a reasonable Category 5, the property will also be dropping categories to a Category 4 in March.
I had the chance to visit the property shortly after opening, and it's one of the best-looking Park Hyatts I've stepped in recently. For those visiting the Middle East, this will become a great use of a Category 1-4 certificate starting March 25.
Final Thoughts
An award program is only as valuable as its points and certificates, and no doubt, these changes make the Hyatt program less valuable for members. Since an active member should accrue several Category 1-4 certificates throughout each status year, they're simply less usable after these changes go into effect. And, for those redeeming points at higher-tier properties, the cost in points to spend the night at many of Hyatt's best resorts and hotels has continued the trend of increasing year after year.
The only silver lining is that Hyatt is giving us advanced notice of these changes. World of Hyatt members still have through March 24, 2025 to book properties at current rates!
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