Hyatt’s loyalty program, World of Hyatt, recently released its annual hotel category changes for the year 2024. During this event, the hotel chain reallocates its properties between different categories based on factors such as demand, location, and amenities. However, history indicates that these changes are not always favorable for customers. Typically, some hotels move up to higher categories and become more expensive, while others move down and become more affordable. Ideally, these changes should balance each other out. But in reality, this rarely happens. In most cases, a majority of the hotels end up moving up to higher categories, while only a few of them move down.
That’s what happened with this year’s update, which can only be called a devaluation. Of the 183 properties changing categories, 137 properties are becoming more expensive and only 46 are moving down a category. As pointed out on Frequent Miler, 19 properties went up from Category 4 to 5, but only five went down from Category 5 to 4.
This is significant because the hotels moving to Category 5 are no longer bookable with Hyatt free night certificates earned with the World of Hyatt Visa card or as a Brand Explorer benefit.
What Changes Will I Make?
I don’t like making snap judgments based on loyalty program changes. In fact, I usually SMH when I hear someone say they’re leaving a brand because of one change to a program. However, with these changes from Hyatt, I’m going to make a change to my credit card strategy.
I’ve decided to stop trying to spend $15,000 on my World of Hyatt credit card just to receive an additional category 1-4 free night certificate. I was already questioning whether it was worth the effort. Although I had to put in some work to redeem the certificates in the past, they’ve given me great value. But it seems whenever I find a great place to use them, that hotel goes up to Category 5 the following year.
- Gild Hall (New York) – Now Category 5
- Grand Hyatt Washington D.C. – Moving to Category 5
Will I Keep My Hyatt Card?
I still plan to keep my World of Hyatt card. For the $95 a year fee, I’ll easily be able to find worth from the free night certificate. I’ll get my money’s worth for it even if I use it at a Category 2 Hyatt Place.
It’s just that I’m not going to focus on spending on the card to earn another free night.
Final Thought
If Hyatt keeps thinning out the number of nicer hotels in Category 1-4, what does that mean for the future of the Cat 1-4 free night certificate? IHG and Marriott already allow members to add points to a certificate to redeem at a higher-value hotel. Would you add 5,000 points to a free night certificate in order to stay at a Category 5 property?
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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
