According to some folks, the Ides of March are almost here, more commonly known as the World of Hyatt hotel category changes for 2025. But it\u2019s not as doom and gloom as some would have you think. <\/p>\n
As with last year\u2019s changes to Hyatt hotel categories<\/a>, you have time to book your hotels at current award chart rates. <\/p>\n But at the stroke of 8 am CT on March 25, 2026, these 151 hotels will change categories<\/a>. The majority, 118 hotels, will go up a higher category and 33 hotels will decrease in category. <\/p>\n Pro-tip:<\/strong> When a hotel changes category, the Points + Cash rates also increase or decrease.<\/p>\n If you have a Category 1 to 4 free night award from a Milestone reward<\/a>, a Brand Explorer award<\/a>, or the World of Hyatt credit card<\/a>, these are the Category 4 hotels you should book now. <\/p>\n Because these 11 hotels are moving up a category. When they change to a Category 5, these hotels won\u2019t allow you to use your free night award. <\/p>\n Pro-tip:<\/strong> If a hotel you\u2019re planning to stay at is one of the 6 hotels moving down from Category 5 to Category 4, book it now with points. <\/p>\n Then call your My Hyatt Concierge if you\u2019re a World of Hyatt Globalist<\/a>, to swap out the points for a Free Night Award (FNA).<\/p>\n If your hotel goes down a category and costs fewer Hyatt points, you\u2019ll get an automatic refund of the overage. <\/p>\n If you booked a week at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa for a stay after the end of March, you\u2019ll get some points back. Because the Hyatt Regency Maui is moving from a Category 7 hotel to a Category 6 hotel. <\/p>\n The 35,000 points (5,000 points a night difference) will get deposited into your account sometime after March 26, 2025.<\/p>\n Hyatt processes them in batches so it takes a little bit of time. You can be patient and wait or you can cancel and rebook if you want or need the points sooner vs later.<\/p>\n Pro-tip:<\/strong> I tried the automatic process in 2023 but my Hyatt point spreadsheet didn\u2019t match with the total showing in my Hyatt account. So I cancel and rebook. <\/p>\n If you change a reservation on or after March 25, 2025, the new award chart will apply. <\/p>\n If the hotel moves down a category, you will receive a refund for the point difference. However, if the hotel moves up a category, you will have to pay more points.<\/p>\n Pro-tip: <\/strong>If you want to stay for multiple nights but aren\u2019t sure of your exact dates, book single night stays. This allows you to drop off a night if you shorten your stay without having to pay more points for your entire stay.<\/p>\n The new hotel category chart applies to rooms booked using a free night award.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you booked the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile for mid-July, using a Free Night award. But next month you realize you should change your reservation to the end of July to catch the final stage of the Tour de France<\/a>. <\/p>\n You\u2019re out of luck. <\/p>\n Because that hotel is moving up to a Category 5 hotel, if you change your date, you can\u2019t use your Category 1 to 4 certificate.<\/p>\n Be sure to book your future Hyatt stays at the 118 hotels that will move up in category before 8 am CT on March 25, 2025, when the new World of Hyatt award chart changes.<\/p>\n Start with the hotels where you won\u2019t be able to use your free night award.<\/p>\n What hotel are you booking before it increases in point cost?<\/p>\n Comment, tweet, or share this post.<\/p>\n Get the\u00a0best credit card bonuses<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow us\u00a0<\/strong>on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Pinterest<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0YouTube<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Support us<\/strong>\u00a0on\u00a0Patreon<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Buy Me a Coffee<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Got a question? Or want help, suggestions, travel tips,\u00a0<\/em>learn how to travel for free, find out about travel deals, and maximize your miles and points?<\/em>\u00a0Use the\u00a0subscription box<\/strong>\u00a0below to sign-up and get\u00a0post updates by email.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Photos courtesy World of Hyatt<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Includes a summary and a written plan with recommendations on how to achieve your miles and points goals sent within 24 hours after consultation.\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Note: This is a consultation not an award booking service.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Traveling Well For Less has partnered with Your Best Credit Cards for our coverage of credit card products. Traveling Well For Less and YBCC may receive a commission from card issuers.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My favorite perks about this card are free Capital One Lounge access<\/strong>, earning 2X<\/strong> points on all purchases, and transferring miles to over 15 travel loyalty programs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n My favorite perks about this card are earning 5X points on travel <\/strong>when booked through the Chase portal (2X if direct purchase), 3X points on dining<\/strong>, $50 yearly credit on hotels <\/strong> booked through the Chase portal, no foreign transaction fees<\/strong>, and transferring points to 13 airline and hotel partners<\/strong> like Hyatt, United, and Southwest.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n![\"tall](\"https:\/\/www.travelingwellforless.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/world-of-hyatt-category-changes-2025-1024x683.jpg\")
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These Are The Category 4 Hotels You Should Book Now <\/h2>\n
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What Happens If Your Hotel Goes Down a Category<\/h2>\n
What Happens if You Change a Reservation<\/h2>\n
What Happens if You Change the Date on a Free Night Award<\/h2>\n
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Conclusion<\/h2>\n
Miles and Points Strategy Consultations<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Capital One Venture X Business<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\nChase Sapphire Preferred\u00ae Card<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/div>\n