Hyatt's Category 2022 category changes will go live on Tuesday at 8:00am Central.
The Hyatt category changes will take effect on March 22, 2022, affecting 146 properties. It is a smaller increase than the last major change in 2020, but US category 1-4 hotels are particularly hard-hit. Booking before the change is worth it if you have a few certificates.
The full list of properties changing category can be found here. One of the most sought-after US redemptions, the Alila Ventana Big Sur, will be moving to category 8 for the first time, as 146 hotels worldwide are affected.
14 hotels are no longer eligible for the annual free night certificate. This certificate is an annual benefit on the World Of Hyatt credit card and is also awarded after staying 30 nights in a year or after staying 5 different brands. 14 may not seem like a lot, but the US is particularly tough with 11 properties moving to category 5.
This is usually counteracted by the fact that some properties will be newly bookable with a Cat 1-4 certificate, but in this case there are only 2 US hotels moving down into category 1-4, a net loss of 9 properties.
Some of the most prestigious Hyatt properties in the world will no longer be bookable with a category 1-8 certificate because of the move to category 8.
It's very disappointing to see these properties no longer bookable with certs and potentially costing up to 45,000 points a night in peak season. If it continues to exclude more and more of Hyatt's most aspirational properties, it will lose a bit of luster.
Here is the current award chart.
In the US, only 13 hotels are dropping category, all but one are within the category 1-4 range.
There are 20 additional properties in the category world-wide, compared to just three moving out.
The Hyatt Regency Tsim Sha Tsui is a great place to stay in Hong Kong.
When travel is restored, there will be excellent value because of the many stops and starts that have taken place. The Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency and Alila Manggis are all moving to category 1, while the terrific Alila Ubud is moving to a category 2.
Hyatt has always been good about giving notice on category changes and dealing with pre-existing award bookings. If you make a reservation by March 21, you will be able to lock in the current pricing for hotels. If you make a reservation for a property that goes down in price, Hyatt will give you a full refund, so you have nothing to lose.
The last two Hyatt category changes were larger than this one. Many of the most aspirational category 7's are moving to category 8, outside of the reach of certificates and could cost as much as 45,000 points per night. We have a chance to have a last dance with these properties at their current pricing, thanks to Hyatt's generous notice and cancellation.
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