We’re just one week away from Hyatt’s annual points shake-up, where 118 properties will move up a category, meaning you’ll soon need more World of Hyatt (or transferrable Chase Ultimate Rewards) points to book them. And some of our absolute favorite Hyatt redemptions are poised to take a hit – they’ll soon cost up to 10,000 more points per night.
But those painful changes don’t take effect until March 25, so consider this your last call to lock in a stay at today’s lower rates – especially at some of Hyatt’s top-tier hotels in Asia, Europe, and beyond. While I guess we should be happy that Hyatt didn’t wind up ditching its beloved award chart altogether, this still hurts.
The good news? You can book right now for stays as far out as April 2026 — and at some all-inclusive resorts, even as far out as summer 2026 – at the current, lower rates. Check out our list of some of the best properties you’ll want to book ASAP before they’ll cost you more.
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Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort, Costa Rica has been a favorite of Hyatt fans for years.
Just over a year ago, it was a Category 6 hotel, costing just 25,000 points per night for a standard award night. After bumping up to a Category 7 property last year, it’s on the move again, moving up to a top-tier Category 8 hotel effective March 25. That means it will soon clock in at 40,000 points per night for a standard night— or as high as 45,000 during peak dates, thanks to Hyatt’s peak- and off-peak award pricing.
Considering peak season nights typically cost $1,000 or more, this is still an awesome use of Hyatt points. Why not book now before it costs you 10,000 points per night more?
If it’s been on your shortlist, we’re currently seeing plenty of nights available from 25,000 to 35,000 Hyatt points through April 2026. There’s also solid peak season availability from mid-December 2025 into February 2026!
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Hyatt Regency Tokyo & More in Japan
Hotels in Japan were hit especially hard by this year’s award chart reshuffle: Nine of them are about to be more expensive.
The Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills is at the top of our list. It’s easily among the best points properties in all of Tokyo and a phenomenal World of Hyatt redemption, with standard nights currently available for 30,000 points per night. But when it jumps to Hyatt’s highest-priced Category 8 next week, a standard night at this prized property will cost you a whopping 40,000 points … or as much as 45,000 points during peak dates. Ouch.
We are still seeing plenty of availability for 30,000 Hyatt points per night from July 2025 through mid-April 2026, with some nights for as low as 25,000 Hyatt points! Considering peak season nights typically cost $800 or more, taking advantage of these lower rates now would be a wise move.
Even some budget options in Tokyo are taking a hit, including the Hyatt Regency Tokyo – one of our favorites for a cheap stay in the Japanese capital. And this one’s a double whammy.
It’s moving from Category 4 to Category 5, meaning a standard award night will increase from 15,000 points per night to 20,000 points per night. And as a result of that change, it’ll also no longer be bookable with a Category 1-4 free night award from the World of Hyatt Credit Card or one earned through Hyatt’s Brand Explorer come March 25.
So if you’ve got a bunch of points or free night certificates to use and plans to visit Japan this year or next, now’s the time to lock it in.
There are plenty of nights going for 15,000 Hyatt points per night from May 2025 through mid-April 2026.
Other properties throughout Japan taking a hit include:
- The legendary Park Hyatt Tokyo – which is currently closed for renovations and isn’t even bookable – goes from 30,000 points to 40,000 points per night
- Grand Hyatt Tokyo also goes from 30,000 points to 40,000 points per night for a standard award.
- Hyatt Centric Ginza Tokyo, where a standard night award will go from 25,000 points to 30,000 points per night
- Hyatt House Tokyo Shibuya jumps from 15,000 points to 20,000 points for a standard night
- Hyatt Regency Kyoto will increase from 20,000 points to 25,000 points per night
And there’s one more Hyatt option further south in Japan worth singling out.
Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka
One of Japan’s best-kept secrets is the incredibly affordable Caption by Hyatt Namba Osaka, which typically goes for 5,000 Hyatt points a night. Come March 25, rates will rise to 8,000 for a standard room.
Award nights have (mostly) dried up for this year, but you can still find scattered nights available, from 5,000 points to peak nights bookable at 6,500 Hyatt points per night, this fall. Considering a night here will run you upwards of $200, it’s major savings for a trip to Osaka.
Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa
Hawaii is a bucket-list destination for many, but it’s far from cheap. One particular change will hurt travelers hoping to go to Kauai.
The Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa is one of Hyatt’s best properties in Hawaii … and it’s getting more expensive. This hotel is set to go from a Category 7 to Category 8, meaning it’ll cost 40,000 points for a standard night when these changes go into effect on March 25.
Nights here regularly go for $700 or more, making the current point rate a bargain by comparison. While award space for the property is drying up, we are still seeing plenty of nights from 25,000 to 35,000 Hyatt points – especially from December through April 2026.
Secrets All-Inclusive Resorts
Over the years, Hyatt has raised award rates at most of its best all-inclusive resorts. There weren’t many properties left to turn to in 2025, but a trio of locations are taking a hit.
Notably, two prime Mexico resorts – the Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancun and Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres — as well as the Secrets Cap Cana Resort & Spa in the Dominican Republic are all moving up from Category D to E, costing 40,000 points per night. That’s a bruising, 10,000-point increase for a night stay.
There is wide open availability at these properties from 30,000 to 35,000 Hyatt points per night this year and next, plus some off-peak nights for as low as 25,000! You could easily save $600 to as much as $1,000 a night if you book these properties with points—and getting in at the current (lower) rate makes for an even sweeter deal.
Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin
The Hyatt Centric The Liberties Dublin has also been a steal at just 15,000 points per night as a Category 4 hotel – an excellent use of one of those Hyatt free night certificates.
No more. Sadly, this property will also be moving up to Category 5 when these changes take effect, meaning a free night will now cost 20,000 points for a standard night. And those free night awards won’t do you any good, either.
If you book now, you can even find some off-peak nights for as low as 12,000 Hyatt points, saving you over $200 per night on a trip to Ireland!
Bottom Line
Time is running out to book several great Hyatt properties at their current (lower) rates before Hyatt’s annual award chart changes go into effect next Tuesday, March 25.
This is just the tip of the iceberg: Check out Hyatt’s full list of properties on the move to scope out which ones you should book before they’ll cost you more points.
Lead image courtesy of Hyatt
