Every February, Hyatt changes the Categories of hotels. Most of the hotel categories have increased, and very few have been reduced. Hyatt Category Changes is 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, Hyatt changes hotel categories based on multiple factors. 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. No one would mind paying 5K points for 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
The 25 March date when Hyatt Category Changes kick in is 25 March 2025. So, for any booking made before 2525 March 2025, for any day of the year, you will have to pay according to the old category of the hotel.
For example, Hyatt Regency Delhi is a Category 1 hotel that usually requires 5K points. It will become a Category 2 hotel on 25 March; any booking thereafter will require 8K points.
This year, 151 Hyatt hotel categories will be changed starting 25 March 2025, 32 less than last year. Of these 151 hotels, 118 hotel categories will be moved up, whereas 33 hotels will move to the lower category.
India Hyatt Hotel Category Changes
Starting on 25 March 2025, five Indian Hyatt hotels will change their category. Four hotels will see their categories increased by a notch, and this year, we have one category reduction, too.
| Hotel | Current Category | New Category | Current Standard Rate | New Standard Rate |
| Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Chandigarh | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Delhi | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Hyatt Regency Pune & Residences | 2 | 1 | 8,000 | 5,000 |
| Park Hyatt Chennai | 1 | 2 | 5,000 | 8,000 |
Hotels Moving to and from Category 8
Category 8 hotels are usually the most luxurious and in-demand, requiring 40K points per night.
Six hotels will move up to category 8 from 25th March 2025:
- Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Hawaii
- Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Japan
- Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Japan
- Park Hyatt Tokyo, Japan
- Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica, Costa Rica
- IL Tornabuoni Hotel, Itlay
This year, no hotel is getting down from Category 8. Last year, we only had one.
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.
Surprisingly, no new hotel is being added to Category F Hotel; last year, we had three. Also, one resort, Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia, is getting new Category E instead of F, now requiring 40K points instead of 50K points.
Planning Your Next Stay
If you are eyeing a property that will go up in rate, it is better to book it before 25th March 2025, 8:00 AM CT, so that you get the old rates. If you are short of Hyatt Points, there are several ways to earn these points, including buying Hyatt Points. Do note that any booking after 25th March 2025 will require points based on the new category even if you cancel it and rebook it after that date.
If you have already booked a hotel in a category that is reduced and will require fewer points, you don’t have to do anything; the additional number of points will be refunded.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the complete list of Hyatt Hotels Category Changes here.
New Category will be applicable starting 25th March 2025, 8:00 AM CT.
No. All bookings made by 25th March 2025 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 25 March 2025 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 25 March 2025 to get lower rates on most hotels. You can also buy Hyatt points at a discount until 14th April 2025.
