I used to think it was nearly impossible to make a *bad* Hyatt redemption. After all, I’ve routinely gotten 2 to 4 cents per point—like the time we booked a club room at the Grand Hyatt Kauai that would’ve cost a fortune, or when a Hyatt Place in St. Paul gave us almost 3 cents per point in value.
That’s why I was surprised—borderline shocked—when I crunched the numbers on Hyatt’s current options in Las Vegas. Between the Rio and the recently added Venetian, the value per point often drops to around 1 cent each. In some cases, it’s even worse. For a program known for outsized value, that’s… not exactly hitting the jackpot.
Are These The Worst Hyatt Redemption Values Ever?
It wasn’t long ago when you could use World of Hyatt points to stay at MGM hotels in Las Vegas. Additionally, you could match your Hyatt status to the MGM loyalty program, earning you extra perks such as waived resort fees and complimentary parking. That partnership is now gone, as MGM has transitioned to Marriott Bonvoy.
But for a while, that left just one Las Vegas casino where you could redeem Hyatt points: the Rio Las Vegas.
The Rio is a Category 3 property, so an off-peak award will cost 9,000 points.
But cash rates for off-peak nights can be as low as $93, including the now $50 resort fee, putting the value at just over 1 cent per point. The only saving grace is that the resort fee is waived on award stays.
Then, The Venetian joined the World of Hyatt program. While that sounds like a win, redemptions there work differently. The number of points required is tied to the cash rate, with redemptions averaging about 1 cent per point in value. So, despite the fanfare, The Venetian isn’t a good use of points either.
Between The Venetian and the Rio, Hyatt’s current Las Vegas options are both poor redemptions—especially when you’re used to getting 2–4 cents per point elsewhere.
Weekends are a better deal
While a weeknight stay at the Rio is a horrible use for your World of Hyatt points, weekends are different. Room rates can increase to $272 per night, after taxes and fees.
This would make 9,000 points a decent value. However, World of Hyatt raises the hotel to Peak pricing and charges 15,000 points instead, still leaving you with a value of around 1.8 cents per point. That’s better, but far from spectacular.
Final Thought
World of Hyatt points are often worth 2–4 cents each when used wisely, but Las Vegas remains an exception. Whether it’s the Rio, where cash rates can be low and redemptions barely crack 1 cent per point, or The Venetian, where point pricing is tied to the cash rate and hovers around 1 cent per point, neither is a great value.
Even weekend rates at the Rio, which can climb to $272 after taxes and fees, trigger Peak pricing at 15,000 points—bringing your value to around 1.8 cents per point. That’s better, but still not outstanding given Hyatt’s reputation for high-value redemptions elsewhere.
The one upside? Resort fees—now $50 per night at the Rio—are waived on award stays. But unless cash rates are unusually high, you’re usually better off paying out of pocket and saving your Hyatt points for redemptions that deliver real value.
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2 comments
It’s still half off by paying 15000 points it costs $108
The rooms that RIo do not look that Great!