Every year in February, Hyatt makes changes to the Categories of hotels. Most of the hotel categories have increased, and very few hotel categories have been reduced. I consider Hyatt Category Changes an important event since, after a deadline, you may need to pay higher Hyatt points at a particular hotel.
Why should you know about Hyatt Category Changes?
Every year, based on multiple factors, Hyatt changes hotel categories. This is important. Here is why.
Firstly, Hyatt has a fixed award chart for its hotels. This award chart tells you the number of points you need for a night award stay based on the season you booked it. And the award chart isn’t dynamic.
I think no one would mind paying 5K points for a stay in a standard room in a Hyatt Category 1 hotel. This increases by 60% to 8K, with an increase in category to Category 2. So, it becomes essential to know what Hyatt Category Changes are coming and plan for a property you want to book well in advance.
Things to Know about This Year’s Changes
26th March 2024 is the date when Hyatt Category Changes kicks in. So, for any booking made before 26th March 2024, for any day of the year, you will have to pay as per the old category of the hotel.
For example, Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa is a Category 1 hotel that usually requires 5K points and will move to a Category 2 hotel on 26th March. Any booking thereafter will require 8K points.
This year, 183 Hyatt hotel categories will be changed starting 26 March 2024. Of these 183 hotels, 137 hotel categories will be moved up, whereas 46 hotels will move to the lower category.
India Hyatt Hotel Category Changes
There are a total of 9 Indian Hyatt hotels changing their category starting on 26 March 2024. All the nine hotel categories will increase by a notch, and none will have a decrease in category.
The majority of these hotels are in Goa, Rajasthan and Uttrakhand. Thereby impacting the tourist places.
| Hotel | Current Category | New Category | Current Standard Rate | New Standard Rate |
| Hyatt Centric Candolim Goa | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Hyatt Centric Juhu Mumbai | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Jaipur Mansarovar | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Alila Diwa Goa | 2 | 3 | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Grand Hyatt Mumbai | 2 | 3 | 8,000 | 12,000 |
| Grand Hyatt Goa | 3 | 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| The Diwa Club by Alila | 3 | 4 | 12,000 | 15,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Dharamshala Resort | 4 | 5 | 15,000 | 20,000 |
| Alila Fort Bishangarh | 4 | 5 | 15,000 | 20,000 |
Hotels Moving to and from Category 8
Category 8 hotels are usually the most luxurious and in-demand, requiring 40K points per night.
Five hotels will move up to category 8 from 26th March 2024:
- The Everline Resort and Spa [USA]
- Vail Residences at Cascade Village [USA]
- Hyatt Centric Park City [USA]
- Alila Villas Uluwatu [Indonesia]
- Hotel Du Palais Biarritz [France]
This year, only one hotel is moving down from Category 8 to Category 7:
- Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas [USA]
All-Inclusive Resorts Moving to and from Category F
All-Inclusive Hyatt hotel categories are based on Alphabets, with F being the highest, requiring 50K points per night.
This year, three All Inclusive Resorts will move up to Category F:
- Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana [Domincan Republic]
- Hyatt Ziva Cap Cana [Domincan Republic]
- Hyatt Ziva Cancun [Mexico]
Meanwhile, no All-inclusive resort is moving down from Category F.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the complete list of Hyatt Hotels Category Changes here.
New Category will be applicable starting 26th March 2024, 8:00 AM CT.
No. All bookings made by 26th March 2024 will require points according to the old hotel category.
No. You don’t have to cancel your award booking if you would stay at a hotel moving down. Since you have the differential points, points between the old and new rates will automatically be refunded to your account.
Yes. All bookings before 26 March 2024 will require old prices.
Here, you can find out more about the Hyatt Best Redemption Rate.
Bottomline
Hyatt Hotels Category Changes are coming to several hotels this year, with the majority moving to higher categories and fewer to lower categories. If you have any plans, book before 26 March 2024 to get lower rates on most hotels. You can also buy Hyatt points at a discount until 9th April 2024.
