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I’m kind of a Hyatt super-fan, or at least I was until Hyatt devalued their program in May of 2026. At that time, the World of Hyatt program went from three award-night levels (prices depending on demand) within each of its eight hotel categories to five. That’s a total of 40 possible award prices – too confusing! But despite my disappointment, I can still get strong value from this program. Here’s how:
How I Still Find Value With Hyatt Points on Off-Peak Stays
When Hyatt created so many award levels, it became possible to massively increase award-night prices during peak seasons. But because I travel throughout the year, not just during peak seasons, I still find value. For example, I recently stayed at the Hyatt Regency Toronto, a Category 4 hotel, for just 15,000 points per night. This was a mid-week stay in a business hotel in October, when rooms were selling for around CA$800 a night, or US$572, so I still received 3.8 cents in value per point redeemed.
Award Calendar for Hyatt Regency Toronto
I will also be staying at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii next summer for 25,000 points a night. This doesn’t sound like a great deal, considering the room “rate” is US $271 per night. But when you add all the fees and taxes (plus taxes on fees), the actual price paid soars to US $387 per night, which gives me about 1.6 cents of value per point redeemed. And since Hyatt waives resort fees on award stays, and all of the taxes charged are based on the amount of cash paid for the room ($0 in this case), I expect to check out with a total room charge of $0
Why Hyatt Globalist Status Still Offers Strong Value
Thankfully, I’m a Globalist member in the World of Hyatt Program. I earned the 60-night stay credits required through a combination of award stays and night stay credits from the World of Hyatt credit card from Chase. Other ways to earn Globalist status include status challenges offered by some companies and the Aeroplan partnership. Aeroplan Elite Status or an eligible Aeroplan co-branded credit card offers a fast track to Globalist status. The Globalist challenge requires 20 night stays within 90 days.
Having Globalist status allows me to receive room upgrades, free breakfasts and 4 p.m. late checkouts. Certainly, these add tremendous value to my stays, as breakfast alone would run my family of four about US $200 per day. I also receive free parking on awards, which can result in substantial savings. For example, the Hyatt Regency Toronto charges CA$40 per night for parking, while the Hyatt Regency Waikiki in Honolulu charges US$65 per night, plus tax.
Hyatt Place Hotels: A Sweet Spot for Family Travel
Most Hyatt Place properties in North America offer rooms with 2 queen beds plus a fold-out sofa. This lets families as large as six stay comfortably in one room. Since I often travel with my wife and our three kids, we can stay in one room instead of two. So even if some Hyatt award nights now cost a bit more points than they used to, they’re still less expensive than getting two rooms at another property. And Hyatt Place and Hyatt House properties are typically Category 1-4 hotels, and they all offer free breakfast to everyone, not just elites.
Why Hyatt Free Night Awards Are Still Valuable After the Devaluation
While award prices are sometimes higher than before, Hyatt offers Free Night Awards that apply even on peak nights. So a Category 1-4 award, which elites and US credit card holders can earn at certain milestones, can be used for Category 4 rooms that cost as much as 25,000 points per night. For example, I’m using a few of these awards for ski trips this winter, staying at the Hyatt Place Keystone in Colorado, a Category 4 property, during peak high season.
You can earn free night awards in many ways. The World of Hyatt credit card from Chase (available in the US) offers one free night award a year, and a second when you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. You can also earn a free night award through their Brand Explorer promotion by staying at five of their 30+ brands (and counting), allowing you to earn this award at least six times. Hyatt also offers Free Night Awards at milestones, such as a Category 1-4 when you earn 30 night-stay credits in a year, and a coveted Category 1-7 award when you earn 60 night-stay credits. And finally, 25,000 Aeroplan points can be redeemed for a Category 1-4, and a Category 1–7 Free Night Award costs 75,000 Aeroplan points.
How to Earn World of Hyatt Points, Including Through Aeroplan
Those who have access to American Express credit cards can earn Hyatt points through the World of Hyatt personal and business card from Chase, as well as through Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program. Bilt Rewards also features Hyatt as a transfer partner. Others can take advantage of the new Aeroplan-Hyatt partnership. This allows you to convert Aeroplan points to Hyatt at a 2:1 ratio.
Aeroplan Core Credit Cardholders can also earn 1 World of Hyatt Bonus Point + 1.5 Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts. Aeroplan Premium Credit Cardholders earn 2 World of Hyatt Bonus Points + up to 2.5 Aeroplan points per eligible $1 CAD spent at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts.
Bottom Line
With points and miles, the only constant is change. And programs rarely change to offer more value. Even though I wish Hyatt stayed the same, I can still find plenty of opportunities with this valuable program.
