Points Miles and Bling (blog) contains referral or affiliate links. The blog receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continued support. Credit Card issuers are not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information, and Terms and Conditions, click the link included.
World of Hyatt is all set to introduce the Peak award pricing, as early as next week – Tuesday, October 26, 2021 at 10:00am CT, for stays starting March 1, 2022 and beyond. Essentially, this means that free-night redemptions will continue to be at Standard rates for nights through February 28, 2022.
This is obviously bad news for all members, and will impact those that travel during peak season the most. Today’s update also includes some silver linings;
-
- Members with an existing award reservation that changes to Off-peak on October 26, 2021, will automatically get a refund of the point difference. If it changes to Peak, there will be no adjustments, and the booking will continue to be at Standard level.
-
- Category-based Free Night Awards, such as a Category 1-4 or Category 1-7 Free Night Award will not be affected by the new structure. For example, you can use a Category 1-4 Award during an Off-peak, Standard or Peak night.
World of Hyatt Peak/Off-peak award
-
- Off Peak: Starting at 3,500 points per night – the best value when hotels are less busy
- Standard: Stays the same, starting at 5,000 points per night – the most common rate
- Peak: Starting at 6,500 points per night – when hotels are busiest
This new structure applies to all types of award nights, including free nights in a standard room, club-access room, standard and premium suites. This applies to Points+Cash award redemptions as well.
-
- Since I mostly book my award stays in standard room, lets take a look at the Standard Room pricing at each Hotel Category;
Standard Room award – Hyatt Categories
-
- Standard Room, Points+Cash rates:
Standard Room award: Points+Cash redemption
-
- Standard Room rates at All-inclusive Resorts
Standard Room award – All inclusive resorts
-
- Standard Room rate at Miraval Resorts:
Standard Room award – Miraval Resorts
Full details of the new structure, can be found here.
Take Away
It’s a devaluation for sure. If you asked someone from Hyatt, they will remind you that members were given a heads up when these changes were suspended during pandemic. To that, I say fair enough, none of this is a rude shock.
-
- If you are planning to book award stays for March 1, 2022 and beyond, book before October 26th, 2021, to lock in standard rates.
- If you already have stays booked for March 1, 2022 and beyond, worry not, any points difference in your favour (Standard to Off-peak) will be reimbursed to your account. Existing bookings where rates go up to Peak pricing, will not be impacted.
- For award stays between now and Feb 28, 2022, status quo – Peak/Off-peak pricing does not apply.
