World of Hyatt’s award chart is changing soon, and many stays are getting more expensive. Here's what you need to know

For the first time in five years, World of Hyatt is changing its award chart. The hotel loyalty program, which includes over 1,500 hotels and resorts across 83 different countries, is keeping its fixed award chart, but the changes may require you to spend more points. World of Hyatt is expanding its number of redemption levels and moving some of its hotels from one level to another. A handful of properties are getting moved down a level, which is more affordable, but the majority are being moved to higher, more expensive levels. These changes go into effect on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. CNBC Select breaks down exactly what these changes mean for Hyatt customers and some ways you can adapt. World of Hyatt award chart changes What is the World of Hyatt loyalty program? World of Hyatt is Hyatt Hotels & Resorts' hotel loyalty program. It's composed of four membership tiers (not including its free tier), which offer increasingly valuable rewards as you meet higher qualifications: Member: Free to join; no minimums on nights or Base Points Discoverist: 10 nights or 25,000 Base Points Exporist: 30 nights or 50,000 Base Points Globalist: 60 nights or 100,000 Base Points Life Globalist: 1,000,000 Lifetime Base Points While the base Member level provides a few perks, like waived resort fees on Free Night Awards, the real perks — like 4 p.m. late checkout and room upgrades (based on availability) — are unlocked at higher tiers. …