Hyatt was first out of the gate with an offer of points for customers having to cancel non-refundable bookings. I thought that was generous because they were first and it was something. Of course this is all fast-moving, and other hotel chains have since done more.

So Hyatt has responded, well I think, and is out with a new policy allowing for cancellation of non-refundable bookings, encouraging new bookings, and offering greater flexibility for Hyatt points

Hyatt Regency San Francisco

Reservations Flexibility

For existing reservations through April 30 (that were made before March 13) they will allow cancellation up to 24 hours prior to arrival. Non-cancellable rates become cancellable. I think it is quite reasonable to say new bookings are exempt from this, since those were presumably made with full knowledge of the current situation.

Like other chains they want to encourage new bookings, so for reservations made by April 30 for any future travel date there will be no charge cancellation up to 24 hours prior to arrival.

They will still allow customers to opt for 10,000 Hyatt points rather than a refund for non-refundable bookings through June 30, 2020. Of course it’s possible that the current April 30th deadline will be extended, so for May and June travel if you prefer a refund I’d wait to see if that becomes an option.

Grand Hyatt New York

World Of Hyatt Changes

Hyatt will not expire points through May 31, 2020. They also aren’t going to institute planned award chart changes.

• Peak and off-peak redemption pricing (a big devaluation, as it’s been with other chains) was set to go into effect March 22. That’s been put off until 2021 and Hyatt promises to provide “members advance notice as [they] always do.” Advance notice makes Hyatt’s a more trustworthy program than certain competitors.

• Hyatt’s award category changes set to go into effect this month are also postponed until next year except for five hotels.
  • Park Hyatt Mallorca drops from category 6 to category 5
    
  • Hyatt Centric Park City increases from category 6 to category 7
    
  • Park Hyatt Shenzhen increases from category 4 to category 5
    
  • Alila Yangshuo increases from category 4 to category 5
    
  • Park Hyatt Ningbo increases from category 3 to category 4

  Increasing award category on Chinese hotels seems bizarre, but it’s a limited number of properties and overall this is a good thing. Meanwhile Marriott appears to have implemented planned category reductions but not yet increases at mainland China hotels.

There’s no word on elite status plans yet for members outside Asia Pacific. They do acknowledge that “we know that adjustments will need to be made” but aren’t yet out with what those will be.

There’s also no word on extensions of expiring free night awards or club access and suite upgrade awards.