The World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: Part 2 —Sweet Spots to Book Before March 18

The World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: Part 1 — New Sweet Spots

130 World of Hyatt hotels are moving to a higher award category on March 18 , 2019. You still have one month to redeem your award stays at the current rate. Keep in mind that if you make any changes to your reservations after March 18, you will pay a higher rate.

I’d like to avoid repeating myself over and over again, so please read my previous post to understand my valuations and methodology. A reader, Kevin, suggested in his email that I add an average cash rate for a hotel I’m listing. I think it makes sense, because the minimum cash rate doesn’t tell us the whole picture. So I’ve added a high-season cash rate I’ve managed to find for most hotels. Hope it helps.

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: the U.S.

Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort

This aspirational resort’s moving to the 7th category is probably the biggest and most unpleasant news. I don’t know if I would spend 25,000 Hyatt points per night in Hawaii, but I know for sure it’s better than 30,000. This hotel used to play games with award availability, but it seems fine now, at least for a few dates I’ve checked.

Other changes you’ll find include Hyatt House Anchorage — a good choice for travelers to Alaska due to its central location in Anchorage. Hyatt Place San Jose/Downtown has a good location too, and seems to be a solid redemption for the same price (8,000 points).

Hyatt Place Long Island/East End is the closest chain hotel to the Hamptons you’ll find. My wife and I have been travelling there for years, ever since it was a Category 1 hotel, and I’ve routinely seen rates of $400+ on summer weekends.

Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown may seem overpriced, but it’s ideally located in a city with not so many central hotels, so if you have to be there, you’ll have to pay the price — often $350+. And Hyatt House Virginia Beach / Oceanfront is really on the beach, so on summer weekends 15,000 points a night will look like a bargain.

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: The Caribbean and Latin America

Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo is a main loss in this region. According to many rave reviews, this is truly a destination resort and a bargain at 15,000 points. You have a 30-day window to book it at the old level.

Mendoza is a nice city in the heart of the Argentina wine country, and
Park Hyatt Mendoza is probably the best hotel in town and a bargain for 8,000 points.

Hyatt Regency Cartagena is a great hotel with a beautiful infinity pool, but you can often book it at around $120.

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: Europe

Park Hyatt Mallorca is the bigger loss out of the 2 sweet spots in Europe I’ve found in my search. If you’ve always wanted to visit Mallorca (arguably the most expensive island in Spain), book before March 18. Keep in mind, though, that Park Hyatt is quite secluded. It’s on the opposite side of the island from Palma, so if it’s the nightlife you’re after, well, maybe book one of the Marriotts closer to the capital.

Hyatt Regency Moscow Petrovsky Park is not central, but it’s a short metro ride to central Moscow, and the location and the hotel is nice enough for 8,000 points. The room can cost around $170 in the summer, so — not a bad redemption.

I haven’t found any other sweet spots in Europe, even at the current redemption rates.

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019:
Africa & Middle East: None

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: Asia

Which is the biggest loser here? Why, the Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa of course! This is the epitome of an aspirational resort, and (as much as it pains me to say this), 25,000 points seems like a bargain compared to the cash rates for this behemoth.

On the other end of the spectrum, Hyatt Regency Bali is a luxury resort that seems to hit all the right notes. It just reopened in January, and caused many reviewers to correctly foretell that it wouldn’t stay Category 1 for long. That’s exactly what’s happening, but you still have time to enjoy it for 5,000 points.

Several Hyatt hotels in Japan are going up too, notably Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills and Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo. I put each in the “maybe” category, but you’ll likely get your points’ worth at any of these hotels — Tokyo taxes/service charges are insane and can easily reach 25% of the cash rate.

Also remember, there is Hyatt Regency Tokyo, which is not going anywhere — a very nice 5-star hotel and often a bargain for 12,000 points a night.

World of Hyatt Devaluation 2019: The Pacific

Hyatt Regency Saipan seems like a bargain to me for 8,000 points. Nuff said.

Hyatt Anniversary Free Night: sweet spots you need to book before March 18

Here is the full list of hotels going from Category 4 to Category 5 after March 18, 2019, which will become ineligible for the Chase World of Hyatt credit card free night. Book now if you’re interested (HT: divinebaboon on Reddit).

• Hyatt Centric Fisherman’s Wharf San Francisco
• Hyatt Place Dewey Beach (Delaware)
• Hyatt Centric South Beach Miami
• Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa(Florida)
• Hyatt Regency Boston
• Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown
• Grand Hyatt DFW
• Hyatt House Virginia Beach / Oceanfront
• Grand Hyatt Seattle
• Hyatt at Olive 8 (Washington)
• Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo (Costa Rica)
• Hyatt Regency Cologne (Germany)
• Park Hyatt Hamburg (Germany)
• Hyatt Regency Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Hyatt Regency Sochi (Russia)
• Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Tsim Sha Tsui
• Park Hyatt Busan (South Korea)
• Hyatt Regency Guam

That’s it about the World of Hyatt 2019 devaluation. Have you stayed at one of these properties? Are you going to? Share with the class. 🙂