Hyatt stacks even more all-inclusive resorts to their portfolio (now live) and it could be the perfect time to book before redemption rates rise in May.
World of Hyatt quietly became a more useful program this week for anyone who likes their vacation to include an open bar and a beach chair despite the increases to its award chart. On March 24, Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts officially joined the World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection, adding 22 all-inclusive resorts to the award chart. More importantly for World of Hyatt points holders, these properties landed on fixed award chart pricing for the next month or so, not the dynamic pricing model that has crept into other recent Hyatt additions. That matters, and so does the timing, because Hyatt’s sweeping award chart overhaul arrives in May. If you have points and a trip in mind, you are now looking at a narrow window where the old pricing and a new set of properties overlap.
All-inclusive resorts in the Dominican Republic regularly run $150 to $250 per night per person in cash, with total room rates often landing in the $180 to $300 range depending on the season. At 12,000 points for an off-peak night and a cash rate of even $200, you are getting 1.67 cents per point. That is above the 1.5 cents per point threshold that most other analysts treat as the break-even for Hyatt redemptions but below my target of 2.0 cpp, and it is for a stay where all your food, drinks, and most activities are already included. The all-inclusive factor is what pushes the math here. Avoiding $12 cocktails on top of the room rate is a value add.
In Jamaica, Bahia Principe Escape Runaway Bay comes in at 21,000 points per night against cash rates that start around $320. The adults-only Runaway Bay property has five restaurants, three bars, and ocean-view suite options, and it sits within a larger complex that includes a family property if you have guests staying separately. At $320 cash versus 21,000 points, that works out to about 1.52 cents per point, which clears the break-even mark.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
