Hotel News: Hyatt Changing Categories for 259 Properties (Half Up, Half Down)

photo: pixabay

We knew it was only a matter of time before the axe dropped again, and World of Hyatt has just announced category changes for 259 hotels. It’s a mixed bag: 130 hotels will shift into a higher award category and 129 will shift to a lower award category.

Those that shift from category 4 to 5 might be upsetting, because they will no longer be available for a Chase free night or certain WOH free nights (e.g., Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica, Hyatt Regency Boston and Hyatt Regency Amsterdam). Then again there are some category 5 hotels which will soon be category 4 hotels, such as the two Jersey City hotels (Hyatt Regency and Hyatt House – perfect for New York City stays).

I really loved the Andaz Papagayo Costa Rica, and have been trying to get back there ever since my stay in 2017 (see, post here). Starting March 19th, it will be a category 5 hotel. I’m not surprised (but I am sad).

It is noteworthy that no new categories have been added, and the points required for each category will remain the same, with affected hotels shifting by only one category up or down.

The new changes go into effect on March 18th at 11:01 pm CST.  As usual, any point redemptions made after this will follow the new award chart, but existing reservations will be honored. Redemptions for hotels that move to a lower award category will be adjusted down (points will be refunded in members’ accounts starting on Tuesday, March 19.).  Also, any adjustments made to existing reservations after March 18th will follow the terms of the new award chart.

Here is the entire list or by visiting here.

This is a good time to review your upcoming plans and reservations and to make any adjustments to existing reservations.

Not all of the changes are bad. There are some silver clouds in there.  See, in particular, the hotels that are moving from category 4 and 5 down a level (such as the Grand Hyatt Bangkok, Istanbul, Manila and Rio, all going from 4 to 3, and Andaz London, Wall Street, and Singapore all going from 6 to 5). And the Grand Hyatt New York, which is scheduled to be demolished, goes from a 6 to a 5 – ha!

On the aspirational side, the Andaz Maui Wailea, Park Hyatt Maldives and Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills go from a category 6 to 7. No big surprise there.

What do you think?

Don’t say I didn’t give you a Valentine’s Day gift!