Reminder: Last Day to Book Hyatt Points + Cash Awards at the Old (Likely Lower) Rates!

October 31, 2018 By Jasmin Baron

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It’s confirmed, and it’s not good news.

Last week we shared the rumor Hyatt would be massively devaluing their Points + Cash awards. And today they confirmed the (mostly negative) changes to the World of Hyatt program.

Starting November 1, 2018, Points + Cash nights will require half the number of points required for an award room plus a co-pay of 50% of the standard rate. In most cases, this will amount to a significant price increase compared to the fixed cash co-pay you’ll pay now.

Now it won’t be as easy to stretch your Hyatt points further using Points + Cash bookings. So if you need more Hyatt points for your next vacation, check out our guide to all the ways to earn Hyatt points!

With These Changes Points + Cash Bookings at Pricier Hotels, Like the Park Hyatt Sydney Will Be More Expensive

If you have Points + Cash award stays coming up, it’s important to book now. It’s most likely your hotel will cost more money in just over a week, and given today’s news I suspect many will be doing the same thing!

Points and Cash Devaluation, New Suite Awards, and More

Link: Rumor: Big Hyatt Points + Cash Devaluation Coming VERY Soon (Book Awards NOW)!

Here’s a quick summary of the changes Hyatt confirmed today.

1. Points + Cash Changes

Starting November 1, 2018, you’ll pay 50% of the standard rate (plus half the number of points normally required) for a Points + Cash room. Previously, the cash co-pay was a fixed price based on the hotel category.

Here’s the old Points + Cash award chart:

The Old Points + Cash Award Chart Represented an Excellent Way to Stretch Your Hyatt Points

And here’s the new chart taking effect next week:

Ouch! If Your Hotel’s Standard Paid Rate Is High, You’ll Get Hosed With This New Award Chart

Of course, if you’re booking an inexpensive hotel, you might actually do a little better with the changes. But I think it’ll be a lot more common to end up spending more, especially in expensive cities or during peak times.

2. Now Use Points to Book Premium Suites

Hyatt’s also adding the ability to book standard and premium suites using points, or Points + Cash, effective the same date. Until now, it’s not been possible to confirm a premium suite booking using points. They’re also removing the minimum stay requirement if you book a suite.

Check out the new award chart, which includes premium suites:

Premium Suite Prices Range From 10,000 Hyatt Points at Category 1 Hotels, to 60,000 Points at Top-Tier Category 7 Hotels

In addition, you’ll be able to book premium suites at Miraval resorts for 105,000 Hyatt points per night.

For Points + Cash bookings, the same new principle applies – you’ll pay half the number of points required for an award room, plus 50% of the standard rate for the suite. This could get very pricey!

This is the standard suite Points + Cash award chart:

Booking Suites With Points + Cash Is New, but the Cash Portion Will Set You Back a Ton

And here’s the premium suite award chart:

A Premium Suite Might Cost $1,000+ per Night, so These Rates Could Sting

Finally, this is the Points + Cash chart for Miraval bookings:

Team Members Jason and Keith Each Had Outstanding Experiences at the Miraval Arizona, but It’s Definitely Not a Cheap Resort

Hyatt will also allow folks to upgrade a paid stay to a premium suite for 9,000 Hyatt points per night. Previously, it was only possible to upgrade to a standard suite for 6,000 Hyatt points per night.

3. No More United Club Passes for Globalists

This wasn’t part of the original rumor, but it’s another bummer if you’re a Hyatt Globalist elite. Starting January 1, 2019, Hyatt Globalists will no longer earn 2 United Club one-time passes upon achieving status by completing 60 qualifying nights or earning 100,000 base points. If you already have United Club passes, they’ll be honored until their expiration date.

Bottom Line

The rumors are true. Starting November 1, 2018, Hyatt’s making significant changes to Points + Cash awards. From that date, the cash co-pay won’t be a fixed amount based on category. Instead, you’ll pay 50% of the standard rate for the room!

This change will make it much more expensive to book hotels in pricey cities or during peak times using Points + Cash. But Hyatt’s also adding the ability to book premium suites with points or Points + Cash, which wasn’t possible before.

They’re also removing the 2 free one-time United Club passes offered to Globalist elite members when they achieve status.

If you’re running short on points, here are all the ways to earn Hyatt points. Don’t forget to book your Points + Cash stays before next week when the updates kick in!

How do you feel about Hyatt’s changes?

Jasmin Baron

Contributor

Jasmin Baron was an editor at Million Mile Secrets. She covers topics on points and miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels, and general travel. Her work has appeared in The Points Guy and Business Insider.