Hyatt is flipping the script on May 20 at 9 a.m. EDT. The new five-tier award chart replaces the old off-peak/standard/peak simplicity with Lowest, Low, Moderate, Upper, and Top pricing. For properties that currently top out around 35,000–45,000 points on peak nights, that “Top” tier can now demand 55,000 or even 75,000 points.[[1]](https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/news/hyatt-award-chart-changes-2026)[[2]](https://www.cnbc.com/select/world-of-hyatt-award-chart-changes/)
The Points Guy flagged the obvious culprits: properties sitting in the 35k–45k sweet spot today that are about to get repriced like they’re wearing a tuxedo to a knife fight. Book them now or watch your redemption value evaporate. This isn’t theory — it’s a four-day window before the system updates and your existing bookings lock in the old math.
The Properties That Hurt Most
Andaz 5th Avenue slides from Category 7 to 8. Current peak around 35,000 points becomes up to 55,000 on busy nights. Manhattan location, solid club lounge, and now a much steeper points tax. Lock in those dates for later this year or 2027 while the old chart still applies.[[3]](https://upgradedpoints.com/news/book-hyatt-hotels-before-2026-award-changes/)
Alila Mayakoba jumps from Category 6 to 7. The Riviera Maya stunner that reopened recently? Its 35,000-point peak nights are headed toward 55,000. The overwater villas and sense of escape won’t feel any cheaper. Book it before the math catches up.[[4]](https://thepointsguy.com/news/hyatt-category-changes-2026/)
Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino and Hotel du Louvre are also making the Category 7-to-8 leap. Same story: former 35k peak redemptions now flirting with the new upper tiers. Paris and the Caribbean both get noticeably more expensive on busy dates.[[3]](https://upgradedpoints.com/news/book-hyatt-hotels-before-2026-award-changes/)
Don’t sleep on the Category 8 icons that stay put but lose their old 45,000-point ceiling. Alila Ventana Big Sur, Park Hyatt New York, Park Hyatt Sydney, and Park Hyatt Tokyo can now hit 75,000 points on Top nights. That’s a 67% jump from the previous maximum. Summer in Big Sur or cherry-blossom season in Tokyo will feel the pinch first.[[5]](https://thepointsguy.com/news/book-these-hyatt-awards-now/)
Lower-category movers like Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and Hyatt Regency Coral Gables (both 4 to 5) kill the utility of Category 1–4 free night certificates. If you’re sitting on those from the Chase Hyatt card, deploy them here before they lose their magic.[[3]](https://upgradedpoints.com/news/book-hyatt-hotels-before-2026-award-changes/)
The Chase Transfer Play
Chase Ultimate Rewards still transfers to World of Hyatt at a clean 1:1 ratio. In practice, points post almost instantly — usually within seconds, rarely more than a few minutes. That’s critical with the clock ticking to May 20.[[6]](https://thepointsguy.com/loyalty-programs/ultimate-rewards-transfer-times/)
Transfer only what you need for the specific booking. Hyatt doesn’t let you hold awards without points, and you can’t easily claw back transferred points if plans change. Be surgical. If you’re short, a quick transfer from your Sapphire Reserve or Ink Preferred gets you there before the deadline slams shut.
The new chart’s wider spreads mean you’ll see more variability going forward. Some shoulder dates might actually improve, but the high-demand nights that matter to most luxury travelers are clearly getting more punitive. Hyatt calls it “precision.” We call it predictable devaluation dressed in better marketing.
Bottom line: the properties that delivered outsized value at 30,000–45,000 points are about to cost what premium redemptions should. The window is measured in hours, not weeks.
Action item: Log into your Hyatt account today, identify your target dates at the properties above (or any you actually want to visit), and book or transfer points to secure them before 9 a.m. EDT on May 20. The old chart honors bookings made before then, even for stays deep into next year. Don’t let perfect dates become expensive regrets.