World of Hyatt 2026 Award Chart Changes: New 5-Level Redemption System and Points Sharing

World of Hyatt has just announced a major evolution to its loyalty program, introducing a new five-tier award chart and several highly-requested member features. While the program is famously known for its transparent, fixed-point award chart (avoiding the dynamic pricing pitfalls of its competitors), this update signals a soft devaluation at the higher end of the spectrum.

Click HERE to find out more about the upcoming changes!

Photo Credit: Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

Beginning in May 2026, World of Hyatt will transition from its current three-tier redemption model (Off-Peak, Standard, and Peak) to a more granular five-level model: Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top. The move to five redemption levels allows Hyatt to manage demand more precisely without necessarily moving a hotel into a higher category. Under the new system, Category 1 properties will now start at a lower entry point of 3,000 points (down from 3,500), while Category 8 properties could reach as high as 75,000 points during Top demand periods.

Importantly, Hyatt has confirmed that these changes will be implemented gradually. In 2026, only a limited number of hotels will move nights into the Upper and Top categories, with broader adoption expected in the following years. The most significant takeaway from this update is the widening of the gap between the cheapest and most expensive nights. While the floor for entry-level categories has dropped slightly, the ceiling for high-end properties has been raised significantly (by as much as 67% for Category 8!).

Category	Lowest Possible Rate		Highest Possible Rate
	Current (Off-Peak)	New (Lowest)	Current (Peak)	New (Top)
Category 1	3,500	3,000	6,500	9,000
Category 2	6,500	6,000	9,500	15,000
Category 3	9,000	8,000	15,000	20,000
Category 4	12,000	12,000	18,000	25,000
Category 5	17,000	15,000	23,000	35,000
Category 6	21,000	20,000	29,000	40,000
Category 7	25,000	25,000	35,000	55,000
Category 8	35,000	35,000	45,000	75,000

Alongside the award chart update, Hyatt is introducing two improvements for members:

• Digital Points Sharing: Later this year, Hyatt will finally move points sharing online. Members will no longer need to submit paper forms to pool points with friends or family, making it significantly easier to combine balances for a large redemption.

• Early Award Access: In a move to reward its most loyal customers, Explorist members and above, as well as World of Hyatt credit cardholders, will receive one month of early access to award night availability. This allows eligible members to book redemptions in advance, while others will remain at the 12-month window.

Photo Credit: Park Hyatt Tokyo

While the full annual category review is expected to be announced in April, Hyatt has confirmed seven immediate property shifts as part of this announcement:

Hotel	Current Category	New Category
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach	4	5
Hyatt Centric Malta	2	3
Hyatt Regency Kotor Bay Resort	4	5
Hyatt Place San Antonio-Northwest	1	2
Grand Hyatt Incheon	3	4
Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort (Opening 2026)	6	8
JdV The Barnett	5	4

The expansion to a five-tier chart is a clear attempt by Hyatt to increase the cost of redemptions during high-demand periods without fully embracing dynamic pricing. While the Lowest tiers offer some slight savings, the Top tiers represent a significant increase - especially for Category 7 and 8 properties. If you have a dream stay in mind, particularly at high-end properties like the Park Hyatt Kyoto or Alila Maldives, I highly recommend locking in your bookings before the new system takes effect in May 2026.